Overview
Known For
New Jersey has big opportunities for lots of small game like rabbit and squirrel, but hunters can also pursue fox, white-tailed deer, wild turkey, pheasant, quail, woodcock, and more. Unfortunately, black bear hunting ended in 2021.
Terrain
New Jersey is generally hilly in the northwestern part of the state, then becoming rolling and then flat toward the south and southeast portions.
New Jersey Hunting Seasons
| Season | Start Date | End Date | |
|---|---|---|---|
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Coyote – Archery
All coyotes must be reported within 24 hours. No limit.
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Oct 1, 2022 | Nov 11, 2022 |
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Coyote – Firearm & Archery
All coyotes must be reported within 24 hours. No limit. Rifle permit required. See regulations for specific days allowed to hunt.
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Nov 12, 2022 | Mar 15, 2023 |
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Deer – Fall Archery 1
See regulations for hunting zones and bag limits.
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Sep 9, 2023 | Sep 29, 2023 |
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Deer – Youth Archery
See regulations for more details and harvest limits |
Sep 23, 2023 | Sep 23, 2023 |
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Deer – Fall Archery 2
See regulations for hunting zones and bag limits.
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Sep 30, 2023 | Oct 27, 2023 |
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Deer – Permit Bow 1
See regulations for hunting zones and bag limits.
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Oct 28, 2023 | Dec 24, 2023 |
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Deer – Permit Bow 3
See regulations for hunting zones and bag limits.
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Oct 28, 2023 | Nov 26, 2023 |
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Deer – Permit Bow 4
See regulations for hunting zones and bag limits.
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Oct 28, 2023 | Nov 18, 2023 |
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Deer – Youth Firearm
See regulations for more details and harvest limits. |
Nov 18, 2023 | Nov 18, 2023 |
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Deer – Permit Shotgun – 8 – Antlerless (1)
See regulations for hunting zones and bag limits.
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Nov 20, 2023 | Nov 22, 2023 |
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Deer – Permit Muzzleloader – 8 – Antlerless (1)
See regulations for hunting zones and bag limits. |
Nov 20, 2023 | Nov 22, 2023 |
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Deer – Permit Shotgun – 8 – Antlerless (2)
See regulations for hunting zones and bag limits. |
Nov 24, 2023 | Nov 24, 2023 |
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Deer – Permit Muzzleloader – 8 – Antlerless (2)
See regulations for hunting zones and bag limits. |
Nov 24, 2023 | Nov 24, 2023 |
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Deer – Permit Muzzleloader – 8 – Either Sex (1)
See regulations for hunting zones and bag limits. |
Nov 27, 2023 | Nov 28, 2023 |
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Deer – Permit Muzzleloader – 7 – Either Sex (1)
See regulations for hunting zones and bag limits. |
Nov 27, 2023 | Nov 28, 2023 |
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Deer – Permit Muzzleloader – 6 (1)
See regulations for hunting zones and bag limits. |
Nov 27, 2023 | Nov 28, 2023 |
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Deer – Permit Muzzleloader – 5/3&4 (1)
See regulations for hunting zones and bag limits. |
Nov 27, 2023 | Nov 28, 2023 |
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Deer – Permit Muzzleloader – 2 (1)
See regulations for hunting zones and bag limits. |
Nov 27, 2023 | Nov 28, 2023 |
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Deer – Permit Muzzleloader – 0 (1)
See regulations for hunting zones and bag limits. |
Nov 27, 2023 | Nov 28, 2023 |
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Deer – Permit Shotgun – 8 – Antlerless (3)
See regulations for hunting zones and bag limits. |
Dec 4, 2023 | Dec 9, 2023 |
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Deer – Permit Shotgun – 7 – Antlerless
See regulations for hunting zones and bag limits.
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Dec 4, 2023 | Dec 9, 2023 |
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Deer – Permit Muzzleloader – 8 – Antlerless (3)
See regulations for hunting zones and bag limits. |
Dec 4, 2023 | Dec 9, 2023 |
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Deer – Permit Muzzleloader – 7 – Antlerless
See regulations for hunting zones and bag limits. |
Dec 4, 2023 | Dec 9, 2023 |
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Deer – Six Day Firearm
See regulations for hunting zones and bag limits. |
Dec 4, 2023 | Dec 9, 2023 |
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Deer – Permit Muzzleloader – 8 – Either Sex (2)
See regulations for hunting zones and bag limits. |
Dec 11, 2023 | Dec 12, 2023 |
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Deer – Permit Muzzleloader – 7 – Either Sex (2)
See regulations for hunting zones and bag limits. |
Dec 11, 2023 | Dec 12, 2023 |
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Deer – Permit Muzzleloader – 6 (2)
See regulations for hunting zones and bag limits. |
Dec 11, 2023 | Dec 12, 2023 |
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Deer – Permit Muzzleloader – 5/3&4 (2)
See regulations for hunting zones and bag limits. |
Dec 11, 2023 | Dec 12, 2023 |
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Deer – Permit Muzzleloader – 2 (2)
See regulations for hunting zones and bag limits. |
Dec 11, 2023 | Dec 12, 2023 |
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Deer – Permit Shotgun – 8 – Either Sex (1)
See regulations for hunting zones and bag limits.
|
Dec 13, 2023 | Dec 15, 2023 |
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Deer – Permit Shotgun – 7 – Either Sex (1)
See regulations for hunting zones and bag limits. |
Dec 13, 2023 | Dec 15, 2023 |
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Deer – Permit Shotgun – 6 (1)
See regulations for hunting zones and bag limits. |
Dec 13, 2023 | Dec 15, 2023 |
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Deer – Permit Shotgun – 5 (1)
See regulations for hunting zones and bag limits. |
Dec 13, 2023 | Dec 15, 2023 |
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Deer – Permit Shotgun – 3&4/0&2
See regulations for hunting zones and bag limits. |
Dec 13, 2023 | Dec 15, 2023 |
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Deer – Permit Muzzleloader – 8 – Either Sex (3)
See regulations for hunting zones and bag limits. |
Dec 16, 2023 | Dec 23, 2023 |
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Deer – Permit Muzzleloader – 7 – Either Sex (3)
See regulations for hunting zones and bag limits. |
Dec 16, 2023 | Dec 23, 2023 |
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Deer – Permit Muzzleloader – 6 (3)
See regulations for hunting zones and bag limits. |
Dec 16, 2023 | Dec 23, 2023 |
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Deer – Permit Muzzleloader – 5/3&4 (3)
See regulations for hunting zones and bag limits. |
Dec 16, 2023 | Dec 23, 2023 |
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Deer – Permit Muzzleloader – 2 (3)
See regulations for hunting zones and bag limits. |
Dec 16, 2023 | Dec 23, 2023 |
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Deer – Permit Muzzleloader – 0 (2)
See regulations for hunting zones and bag limits. |
Dec 16, 2023 | Dec 23, 2023 |
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Deer – Permit Muzzleloader – 8 – Either Sex (4)
See regulations for hunting zones and bag limits. |
Dec 26, 2023 | Dec 30, 2023 |
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Deer – Permit Muzzleloader – 7 – Either Sex (4)
See regulations for hunting zones and bag limits. |
Dec 26, 2023 | Dec 30, 2023 |
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Deer – Permit Muzzleloader – 6 (4)
See regulations for hunting zones and bag limits. |
Dec 26, 2023 | Dec 30, 2023 |
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Deer – Permit Muzzleloader – 5/3&4 (4)
See regulations for hunting zones and bag limits. |
Dec 26, 2023 | Dec 30, 2023 |
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Deer – Permit Muzzleloader – 2 (4)
See regulations for hunting zones and bag limits. |
Dec 26, 2023 | Dec 30, 2023 |
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Deer – Permit Muzzleloader – 0 (3)
See regulations for hunting zones and bag limits. |
Dec 26, 2023 | Dec 30, 2023 |
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Deer – Permit Bow 2
See regulations for hunting zones and bag limits.
|
Dec 26, 2023 | Dec 31, 2023 |
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Deer – Permit Muzzleloader – 8 – Either Sex (5)
See regulations for hunting zones and bag limits. |
Jan 1, 2024 | Feb 10, 2024 |
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Deer – Permit Muzzleloader – 7 – Either Sex (5)
See regulations for hunting zones and bag limits. |
Jan 1, 2024 | Feb 10, 2024 |
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Deer – Permit Muzzleloader – 6 (5)
See regulations for hunting zones and bag limits. |
Jan 1, 2024 | Jan 31, 2024 |
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Deer – Permit Muzzleloader – 5/3&4 (5)
See regulations for hunting zones and bag limits. |
Jan 1, 2024 | Jan 5, 2024 |
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Deer – Winter Bow 1
See regulations for hunting zones and bag limits.
|
Jan 1, 2024 | Feb 17, 2024 |
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Deer – Winter Bow 2
See regulations for hunting zones and bag limits.
|
Jan 1, 2024 | Jan 31, 2024 |
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Deer – Permit Shotgun – 8 – Either Sex (2)
See regulations for hunting zones and bag limits. |
Jan 6, 2024 | Feb 10, 2024 |
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Deer – Permit Shotgun – 7 – Either Sex (2)
See regulations for hunting zones and bag limits. |
Jan 6, 2024 | Feb 10, 2024 |
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Deer – Permit Shotgun – 6 (2)
See regulations for hunting zones and bag limits. |
Jan 6, 2024 | Jan 31, 2024 |
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Deer – Permit Shotgun – 5 (2)
See regulations for hunting zones and bag limits. |
Jan 13, 2024 | Jan 20, 2024 |
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Duck – Youth North Zone
Bag limits same as each regular season zone.
|
Oct 7, 2023 | Oct 7, 2023 |
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Duck – North Zone (Early)
Daily bag limit of 6.
|
Oct 14, 2023 | Oct 21, 2023 |
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Duck – North Zone Scaup (Early)
See Regs for more details. |
Oct 14, 2023 | Oct 21, 2023 |
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Duck – Youth South Zone
Bag limits same as each regular season zone.
|
Oct 14, 2023 | Oct 14, 2023 |
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Duck – South Zone (Early)
Daily bag limit of 6.
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Oct 21, 2023 | Oct 28, 2023 |
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Duck – Youth Coastal Zone
Bag limits same as each regular season zone.
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Oct 28, 2023 | Oct 28, 2023 |
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Duck – South Zone Scaup (Early)
Limit 1 bird.
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Nov 9, 2023 | Nov 11, 2023 |
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Duck – Coastal Zone (Early)
Daily bag limit of 6.
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Nov 9, 2023 | Nov 11, 2023 |
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Duck – Coastal Zone Scaup (Early)
Limit 1 bird.
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Nov 9, 2023 | Nov 11, 2023 |
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Duck – North Zone (Late)
Daily bag limit of 6.
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Nov 11, 2023 | Jan 11, 2024 |
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Duck – North Zone Scaup (Late)
11/11/23 – 12/19/23 — Bag Limit: 1 12/20/23 – 01/11/24 — Bag Limit: 2 |
Nov 11, 2023 | Jan 11, 2024 |
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Duck – South Zone (Late)
Daily bag limit of 6.
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Nov 18, 2023 | Jan 18, 2024 |
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Duck – South Zone Scaup (Late)
11/18/23 – 12/26/23 — Bag Limit: 1 12/27/23 – 01/18/24 — Bag Limit: 2 |
Nov 18, 2023 | Jan 18, 2024 |
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Duck – Coastal Zone (Late)
Daily bag limit of 6.
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Nov 23, 2023 | Jan 27, 2024 |
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Duck – Coastal Zone Scaup (Late)
11/23/23 – 01/04/24 Bag Limit: 1 01/05/24 – 01/27/24 Bag Limit: 2 |
Nov 23, 2023 | Jan 27, 2024 |
|
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Fox – Archery
No limit.
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Oct 1, 2022 | Nov 11, 2022 |
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Fox – Firearm & Archery
No limit. Rifle permit required.
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Nov 12, 2022 | Mar 15, 2023 |
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Goose – Early Canada Goose
Statewide. Daily bag limit of 15.
|
Sep 1, 2023 | Sep 30, 2023 |
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Goose – Regular Light Goose
Statewide. Daily bag limit of 25.
|
Oct 14, 2023 | Feb 15, 2024 |
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Brant – South Zone (Early)
See Regulations for more details. |
Oct 21, 2023 | Oct 28, 2023 |
|
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Goose – Coastal Zone (Early)
Canada, cackling, and white-fronted geese.
|
Nov 9, 2023 | Nov 11, 2023 |
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Brant – North Zone (Early)
See Regulations for more details. |
Nov 11, 2023 | Nov 25, 2023 |
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Goose – North Zone (Early)
Canada, cackling, and white-fronted geese. Daily bag limit of 3
|
Nov 18, 2023 | Nov 25, 2023 |
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Brant – South Zone (Late)
See regulations for more details. |
Nov 18, 2023 | Dec 14, 2023 |
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Goose – South Zone (Early)
Canada, cackling, and white-fronted geese.
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Nov 18, 2023 | Nov 25, 2023 |
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Goose – Coastal Zone (Late)
Canada, cackling, and white-fronted geese.
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Nov 23, 2023 | Jan 27, 2024 |
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Brant – Coastal Zone (Early)
See regulations for more details. |
Nov 23, 2023 | Dec 2, 2023 |
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Brant – Coastal Zone (Late)
See regulations for more details. |
Dec 14, 2023 | Jan 6, 2024 |
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Goose – North Zone (Late)
Canada, cackling, and white-fronted geese. Daily bag limit of 3.
|
Dec 16, 2023 | Jan 29, 2024 |
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Goose – South Zone (Late)
Canada, cackling, and white-fronted geese.
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Dec 16, 2023 | Jan 29, 2024 |
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Brant – North Zone (Late)
See regulations for more details. |
Dec 23, 2023 | Jan 11, 2024 |
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Goose – Winter Canada Goose
Winter zone.
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Jan 30, 2024 | Feb 15, 2024 |
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Goose – Conservation Order
Statewide. Light goose no limit.
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Feb 16, 2024 | Apr 6, 2024 |
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Turkey – Fall Period N
Special permit only. Male or female turkeys may be taken. No Hunting on Oct 30.
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Oct 29, 2022 | Nov 5, 2022 |
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Turkey – Spring Youth Period Y
Male turkeys only.
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Apr 22, 2023 | May 26, 2023 |
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Turkey – Spring Period A
Male turkeys only.
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Apr 24, 2023 | Apr 28, 2023 |
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Turkey – Spring Period E
Male turkeys only. Only Saturdays open to hunting.
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Apr 29, 2023 | May 20, 2023 |
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Turkey – Spring Period B
Male turkeys only.
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May 1, 2023 | May 5, 2023 |
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Turkey – Spring Period C
Male turkeys only.
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May 8, 2023 | May 12, 2023 |
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Turkey – Spring Period D
Male turkeys only. No hunting May 20 & 21.
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May 15, 2023 | May 26, 2023 |
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Woodcock – North Zone (Early)
Bag Limit 3
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Oct 14, 2023 | Oct 28, 2023 |
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Woodcock – North Zone (Late)
Bag Limit 3
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Oct 31, 2023 | Nov 25, 2023 |
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Woodcock – South Zone (Early)
Bag Limit 3
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Nov 11, 2023 | Dec 2, 2023 |
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Woodcock – South Zone (Late)
Bag Limit 3
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Dec 14, 2023 | Jan 2, 2024 |
New Jersey Licenses, Permits, and Regulations
New Jersey hunting licenses, permits, and regulations for resident and non-resident hunters can be purchased on the State of New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection website. Click below to view the website.
Hunting GPS Maps
Every New Jersey hunter should have hunting GPS maps on hand. New Jersey hunting maps are available from onX Hunt. With a paid membership you can access Satellite, Topo, or Hybrid Basemaps, over which you can view maps of hunt zones, along with State, Forest Service, and other public and private property boundaries. You can view trails and roads, and even download maps to the Hunt App for use offline. Click below to get onX Hunt for New Jersey.
Deer Management Zones
New Jersey has 70 hunt zones, also referred to as deer management zones. Each has its own restrictions, bag limits, and special seasons. Some, like Hunt Zone 36, are quite large. Others like Hunt Zone 43 are very small. Click below to view New Jersey’s hunt zones in more detail through an interactive map.
Hunting Layers
NJ Private Lands
Over 3,000,000 parcels mapped by the onX team, this layer helps you know who the property owners are in New Jersey. Tap any parcel to learn more info about the owner and acreage.
NJ Gov Lands
onX has the most accurate public lands maps with over 1,400,000 acres in New Jersey to help you plan your next adventure. Tap any public land parcel to learn more.
NJ Hunt Zones
New Jersey Hunt Zones with 10 separate sublayers to pick . Please hunt responsibly, obey all signage and have a safe legal hunt.
Includes 10 Sublayers
- NJ Deer Zones
- Turkey Hunt Area
- Bear Hunt Zones
- Goose Hunt Area
- Waterfowl Hunt Area
- Woodcock Hunt Zone
- Beaver Management Zone
- Muskrat Trapping Zone
- Sea Duck Hunt Area
- Muzzleloader Squirrel Hunt Area
NJ Possible Access
Many acres of land are available for public or permitted use New Jersey from a variety of sources. Please research all rules before recreating.
The #1 GPS Hunting App
- 975 million acres of public land
- 10,668 unique hunting units
- 421 map overlays and counting
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