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New Jersey Hunting

Everything you need to plan your hunting trips in New Jersey, from maps and regulations to season dates, game animals, quotas, and hunt zones. Plus much more! Start your research right here.

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.

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New Jersey Hunting Seasons

Filter By:
Season
Start Date
End Date
Coyote
Oct 1, 2022 – Nov 11, 2022
Coyote – Archery
All coyotes must be reported within 24 hours. No limit.
Oct 1, 2022
Nov 11, 2022
Coyote
Nov 12, 2022 – Mar 15, 2023
Coyote – Firearm & Archery
All coyotes must be reported within 24 hours. No limit. Rifle permit required. See regulations for specific days allowed to hunt.
Nov 12, 2022
Mar 15, 2023
Deer
Sep 9, 2023 – Sep 29, 2023
Deer – Fall Archery 1
See regulations for hunting zones and bag limits.
Sep 9, 2023
Sep 29, 2023
Deer
Sep 23, 2023 – Sep 23, 2023
Deer – Youth Archery

See regulations for more details and harvest limits

Sep 23, 2023
Sep 23, 2023
Deer
Sep 30, 2023 – Oct 27, 2023
Deer – Fall Archery 2
See regulations for hunting zones and bag limits.
Sep 30, 2023
Oct 27, 2023
Deer
Oct 28, 2023 – Nov 18, 2023
Deer – Permit Bow 4
See regulations for hunting zones and bag limits.
Oct 28, 2023
Nov 18, 2023
Deer
Nov 18, 2023 – Nov 18, 2023
Deer – Youth Firearm

See regulations for more details and harvest limits.

Nov 18, 2023
Nov 18, 2023
Deer
Nov 20, 2023 – Nov 22, 2023
Deer – Permit Shotgun – 8 – Antlerless (1)
See regulations for hunting zones and bag limits.
Nov 20, 2023
Nov 22, 2023
Deer
Nov 20, 2023 – Nov 22, 2023
Deer – Permit Muzzleloader – 8 – Antlerless (1)

See regulations for hunting zones and bag limits.

Nov 20, 2023
Nov 22, 2023
Deer
Nov 24, 2023 – Nov 24, 2023
Deer – Permit Shotgun – 8 – Antlerless (2)

See regulations for hunting zones and bag limits.

Nov 24, 2023
Nov 24, 2023
Deer
Nov 24, 2023 – Nov 24, 2023
Deer – Permit Muzzleloader – 8 – Antlerless (2)

See regulations for hunting zones and bag limits.

Nov 24, 2023
Nov 24, 2023
Duck
Oct 7, 2023 – Oct 7, 2023
Duck – Youth North Zone
Bag limits same as each regular season zone.
Oct 7, 2023
Oct 7, 2023
Duck
Oct 14, 2023 – Oct 21, 2023
Duck – North Zone (Early)
Daily bag limit of 6.
Oct 14, 2023
Oct 21, 2023
Duck
Oct 14, 2023 – Oct 21, 2023
Duck – North Zone Scaup (Early)

See Regs for more details.

Oct 14, 2023
Oct 21, 2023
Duck
Oct 14, 2023 – Oct 14, 2023
Duck – Youth South Zone
Bag limits same as each regular season zone.
Oct 14, 2023
Oct 14, 2023
Duck
Oct 21, 2023 – Oct 28, 2023
Duck – South Zone (Early)
Daily bag limit of 6.
Oct 21, 2023
Oct 28, 2023
Duck
Oct 28, 2023 – Oct 28, 2023
Duck – Youth Coastal Zone
Bag limits same as each regular season zone.
Oct 28, 2023
Oct 28, 2023
Duck
Nov 9, 2023 – Nov 11, 2023
Duck – South Zone Scaup (Early)
Limit 1 bird.
Nov 9, 2023
Nov 11, 2023
Duck
Nov 9, 2023 – Nov 11, 2023
Duck – Coastal Zone (Early)
Daily bag limit of 6.
Nov 9, 2023
Nov 11, 2023
Duck
Nov 9, 2023 – Nov 11, 2023
Duck – Coastal Zone Scaup (Early)
Limit 1 bird.
Nov 9, 2023
Nov 11, 2023
Fox
Oct 1, 2022 – Nov 11, 2022
Fox – Archery
No limit.
Oct 1, 2022
Nov 11, 2022
Fox
Nov 12, 2022 – Mar 15, 2023
Fox – Firearm & Archery
No limit. Rifle permit required.
Nov 12, 2022
Mar 15, 2023
Goose
Sep 1, 2023 – Sep 30, 2023
Goose – Early Canada Goose
Statewide. Daily bag limit of 15.
Sep 1, 2023
Sep 30, 2023
Goose
Oct 21, 2023 – Oct 28, 2023
Brant – South Zone (Early)

See Regulations for more details.

Oct 21, 2023
Oct 28, 2023
Goose
Nov 9, 2023 – Nov 11, 2023
Goose – Coastal Zone (Early)
Canada, cackling, and white-fronted geese.
Nov 9, 2023
Nov 11, 2023
Goose
Nov 11, 2023 – Nov 25, 2023
Brant – North Zone (Early)

See Regulations for more details.

Nov 11, 2023
Nov 25, 2023
Goose
Nov 18, 2023 – Nov 25, 2023
Goose – North Zone (Early)
Canada, cackling, and white-fronted geese. Daily bag limit of 3
Nov 18, 2023
Nov 25, 2023
Goose
Nov 18, 2023 – Nov 25, 2023
Goose – South Zone (Early)
Canada, cackling, and white-fronted geese.
Nov 18, 2023
Nov 25, 2023
Goose
Feb 16, 2024 – Apr 6, 2024
Goose – Conservation Order
Statewide. Light goose no limit.
Feb 16, 2024
Apr 6, 2024
Turkey Game Type
Oct 29, 2022 – Nov 5, 2022
Turkey – Fall Period N
Special permit only. Male or female turkeys may be taken. No Hunting on Oct 30.
Oct 29, 2022
Nov 5, 2022
Turkey Game Type
Apr 22, 2023 – May 26, 2023
Turkey – Spring Youth Period Y
Male turkeys only.
Apr 22, 2023
May 26, 2023
Turkey Game Type
Apr 24, 2023 – Apr 28, 2023
Turkey – Spring Period A
Male turkeys only.
Apr 24, 2023
Apr 28, 2023
Turkey Game Type
Apr 29, 2023 – May 20, 2023
Turkey – Spring Period E
Male turkeys only. Only Saturdays open to hunting.
Apr 29, 2023
May 20, 2023
Turkey Game Type
May 1, 2023 – May 5, 2023
Turkey – Spring Period B
Male turkeys only.
May 1, 2023
May 5, 2023
Turkey Game Type
May 8, 2023 – May 12, 2023
Turkey – Spring Period C
Male turkeys only.
May 8, 2023
May 12, 2023
Turkey Game Type
May 15, 2023 – May 26, 2023
Turkey – Spring Period D
Male turkeys only. No hunting May 20 & 21.
May 15, 2023
May 26, 2023
Upland Bird
Oct 14, 2023 – Oct 28, 2023
Woodcock – North Zone (Early)
Bag Limit 3
Oct 14, 2023
Oct 28, 2023
Upland Bird
Oct 31, 2023 – Nov 25, 2023
Woodcock – North Zone (Late)
Bag Limit 3
Oct 31, 2023
Nov 25, 2023

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 Preview

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 Preview

NJ Gov Lands

onX has the most accurate maps of Gov Lands, covering over 1,400,000 acres in New Jersey. Not all Gov Lands offer access opportunities, check regulations before recreating.

SUBLAYERS (10) Expand Sublayers
NJ Hunt Zones Preview

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 Thumbnail

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.

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