Hi everyone! I'm a new member, but I have experience shooting. I was looking to get into hunting and, while looking up the necessary qualifications, can't seem to resolve some of my questions by looking on the NJDEP website. Could some of you help me out? 
I am a New Jersey resident, and I'm interested in acquiring a Resident Firearm Hunting License and a Rifle Permit along with it.
1. The Rifle Permit is good for a period from July 1 - June 30. If I were to get a permit this May, would this permit be valid starting July 1 of this year and ending June 30 of next year? Or would this license only be valid until June 30 of this current year? Should I just wait until after July 1 to get a permit? Also, do I just purchase the Rifle Permit after completing my respective course?
2. If I am to acquire a hunting license after completing my respective courses, the license would only be valid until December 31 of 2015. Would I be able to simply pay to renew the license in 2016, or would I have to take the course again before being able to hunt in 2016? This is a concern because there is usually a good stretch of time in early January where we can hunt varmints (squirrels, raccoons, and possums).
3. I can't find any rules in the list of WMA's specifying whether or not squirrels, raccoons, and possums can be hunted or not in each respective area. They don't seem to be given zones like deer as permits aren't required for them. Given that I am properly hunting during the respective season for certain game and that I have a Resident Firearm Hunting License and a Rifle Permit, would I be authorized to hunt in all NJ WMA areas?
Also, what're your experiences with getting a hunting license and rifle permit in NJ? I have a Ruger 10/22 and a Maverick 88, and plan to load the 10/22 with .22 shorts when hunting raccoons/possums and I'll use a .22 air rifle when hunting squirrels.
I am a New Jersey resident, and I'm interested in acquiring a Resident Firearm Hunting License and a Rifle Permit along with it.
1. The Rifle Permit is good for a period from July 1 - June 30. If I were to get a permit this May, would this permit be valid starting July 1 of this year and ending June 30 of next year? Or would this license only be valid until June 30 of this current year? Should I just wait until after July 1 to get a permit? Also, do I just purchase the Rifle Permit after completing my respective course?
2. If I am to acquire a hunting license after completing my respective courses, the license would only be valid until December 31 of 2015. Would I be able to simply pay to renew the license in 2016, or would I have to take the course again before being able to hunt in 2016? This is a concern because there is usually a good stretch of time in early January where we can hunt varmints (squirrels, raccoons, and possums).
3. I can't find any rules in the list of WMA's specifying whether or not squirrels, raccoons, and possums can be hunted or not in each respective area. They don't seem to be given zones like deer as permits aren't required for them. Given that I am properly hunting during the respective season for certain game and that I have a Resident Firearm Hunting License and a Rifle Permit, would I be authorized to hunt in all NJ WMA areas?
Also, what're your experiences with getting a hunting license and rifle permit in NJ? I have a Ruger 10/22 and a Maverick 88, and plan to load the 10/22 with .22 shorts when hunting raccoons/possums and I'll use a .22 air rifle when hunting squirrels.
