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As part of the New Jersey Outstanding White-tailed Deer Program, two new state record deer were honored along with more than 40 other entries at the 2000 Garden State Deer Classic held during Sportsmen^s Field Day at Fort Dix, Burlington County on September 9 and 10, 2000. The program is jointly sponsored by the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife, the New Jersey Federation of Sportsmen^s Clubs, the United Bowhunters of New Jersey and the Atlantic County Federation of Sportsmen^s Clubs.
"An outstanding deer can be an individual^s first deer, a veteran hunter^s first deer with a different weapon or a deer which meets certain criteria for antler development or weight as determined by New Jersey^s Outstanding White-tailed Deer Program," said Division Director Bob McDowell. "The program is a testament to New Jersey^s quality deer management program and the white-tailed deer^s adaptability to thrive in the Garden State."
The New Jersey Outstanding White-tailed Deer Program was initiated in 1964. It includes categories for typical and non-typical antlered deer taken with bow, shotgun and muzzleloading rifle in addition to the 200-pound buck and 135-pound doe field dressed weight categories.
The new state record for a non-typical buck harvested in 1999 with a bow was taken from Monmouth County by Joseph J. Meglio of Howell and scored 192 2/8. A 154-pound doe harvested with a bow in 1999 in Mercer County by Walter Burbela of Hamilton took first place in the 135-Pound Doe category and is a new state record.
During the 1998-99 seasons, the top five counties for typical antler production were Hunterdon, Mercer, Monmouth, Salem and Somerset. Also during this time frame, the top five counties for non-typical antler production were Burlington, Cumberland, Monmouth, Salem and Somerset.
All antlered deer are scored using the Boone & Crockett Club system that gives credit to antler length, spread, number of points and symmetry. Age, health, genetics and nutrition are the major factors contributing to deer reaching trophy status.
Uploaded: 11/15/2000
Uploaded: 11/15/2000