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Field Guide  /  State Hunting Guide

Your Guide to the New Jersey Hunting Seasons

11 Minute Read

By Teri Williams  on 1/30/2025

An abundance of small game is the draw for hunting in New Jersey. However, you can also hunt whitetail deer, coyote, turkeys, and more to round out your year.

It's also an excellent state for trapping, with plenty of furbearers to find their way into your traps — beaver, fox, otter, and more. Plus, bear hunting returned in 2024 for a few open-season dates.

Ready to plan your New Jersey hunting seasons this year? HuntWise is here to help! We've pulled together the information you need about season dates, bag limits, hunting licenses, and more.

 

An illustration of a U.S. map highlighting New Jersey.

Why Do Hunters Hunt in New Jersey?

As we mentioned, it's a small game hunters paradise. New Jersey is well known for upland birds, waterfowl, and some of the best small game hunting in the country.

But you can also get your deer and turkey hunting fix! New Jersey offers more than 100 days of open season dates for hunting whitetail so that you can hunt with a bow, rifle, muzzleloader, or all three.

Whether you live in New Jersey or plan to travel there for hunting or trapping, it's an excellent state for a hunt this year.

Where Should I Hunt?

New Jersey offers 500,000 acres of public hunting land. Plus, you can hunt more than 358,000 acres of Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) and state parks.

Additionally, the state provides access to archery and firearm ranges to work on your shot. If you hunt with dogs, New Jersey also offers training areas throughout the state.

Not sure where to go for your hunt? HuntWise can help you target (and mark) the best hunting areas while also helping you navigate land boundaries. When hunting in Delaware this year, use the app to scout and mark the best places to hunt.

 

A coyote looks on while in a field, New Jersey hunting seasons concept.

When Can I Hunt?

So, when should you plan your first hunt of the year? Our New Jersey Hunting Guide will help you pinpoint the dates to put on your calendar, whether you're after small game, waterfowl, deer, or turkey.

Note that the information we provide is the latest available from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Fish & Wildlife (NJFW). We'll update this guide with the latest season information as new details become available.

While our guide is an excellent resource for planning your season, we also recommend checking official resources for the latest hunting and trapping season dates.
 

Deer Hunting in New Jersey

Take note of the hunting zones in New Jersey and regulation sets that apply to open season dates (firearm vs. archery) when planning your hunt. Bag limits also differ between zones and dates.

Archery

  • Fall Bow
    • Zones 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 36, 41, 49, 50, 51, 5, 19, 25, 42, 48, 2, 16, 27, 28, 29, 31, 35, 47, 6: September 14 – 27 and September 28 – October 25
    • Zones 30, 55, 63, 65, 1, 3, 4, 18, 22, 26, 21, 23, 24, 34, 43, 45, 46: September 28 – October 25
       
  • Youth Day (All zones): September 21
     
  • Permit Bow
    • Zones 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, 36, 49, 50, 51, 7, 8, 9, 12, 17, 41, 5, 19, 25, 42, 48, 2, 16, 27, 28, 29, 31, 35, 47, 6: October 26 – December 24 and December 26 – 31
    • Zones 30, 55, 63, 65, 1, 3, 4, 18, 22, 26: October 26 – November 24
    • Zones 21, 23, 24, 34, 43: October 26 – November 23
       
  • Winter Bow
    • Zones 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 36, 41, 49, 50, 51: January 1 – February 15
    • Zones 5, 19, 25, 42, 48, 2, 16, 27, 28, 29, 31, 35, 47, 6, 30, 55, 63, 65, 1, 3, 4, 18, 22, 26, 21, 23, 24, 34, 43: January 1 – 31


Confirm all archery dates, bag limits, zones, and regulations sets with the NJFW before your hunt.

Firearm

  • Youth Firearm Day (All Zones): November 23
     
  • Permit Muzzleloader
    • Zones 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, 36, 49, 50, 51: November 25 – 27 & 29 (antlerless only) and December 2 – 3, 16 – 17, 21 – 24, 26 – 31, and January 1 – February 8 (either-sex)
    • Zones 7, 8, 9, 12, 17, 41: December 9 – 14 (antlerless only) and December 2 – 3, 16 – 17, 21 – 24, 26 – 31, and January 1 – February 8 (either-sex)
    • Zones 5, 19, 25, 42, 48: December 2 – 3, 16 – 17, 21 – 24, 26 – 31, and January 1 – 31
    • Zones 2, 16, 27, 28, 29, 31, 35, 47, 6, 30, 55, 63, 65: December 2 – 3, 16 – 17, 21 – 24, 26 – 31, and January 1 – 11
    • Zones 1, 3, 4, 18, 22, 26: December 2 – 3, 16 – 17, 21 – 24, and 26 – 31
    • Zones 21, 23, 24, 34, 43: December 2 – 3, 21, 23, 24, and 26 – 31
       
  • Permit Shotgun
    • Zones 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, 36, 49, 50, 51: November 15 – 27, 29, and December 9 – 14 (antlerless only) and December 18 – 20 and January 4 – February 8 (either-sex)
    • Zones 7, 8, 9, 12, 17, 41: December 9 – 14 (antlerless only) and December 18 – 20 and January 4 – February 8 (either-sex)
    • Zones 5, 19, 25, 42, 48: December 18 – 20 and January 4 – 31
    • Zones 2, 16, 27, 28, 29, 31, 35, 47: December 18 – 20 and January 11 – 18
    • Zones 6, 30, 55, 63, 65, 1, 3, 4, 18, 21, 22, 23, 24, 26, 34, 43: December 18 – 20
       
  • Six-Day Firearm (All Zones): December 9 – 14


Confirm all firearm dates, zones, bag limits, and regulations sets with the NJFW before your hunt.

Turkey

Turkey season dates are designated by periods and hunting Monday through Friday vs. Saturdays. Also, pay close attention to the hunting hours on the days you plan to hunt.

Youth Day: April 19

Spring Gobbler Season:

  • Period Y (Ages 10 – 16): April 19 – May 10 (1/2 hour before sunrise to noon) and May 12 – 23 (1.2 hour before sunrise to sunset)
  • Period A (M-F): April 21 – 25
  • Period B (M-F): April 28 – May 2
  • Period C (M-F): May 5 – 9
  • Period D (M-F): May 12 – 16 and May 19 – 23
  • Period E (Saturdays): April 26 – May 3, 10, and 17


Fall Either-Sex Season:

  • Period N: October 26 and October 18 – November 2

Small Game

When hunting small game, pay close attention to the firearm type, bow, and ammunition allowed for specific dates.

Gray Squirrel (Muzzleloader): September 28 – November 8 and January 4 – February 22


Gray Squirrel, Hare, Jackrabbit, Rabbit: September 28 – February 22 (Closed December 9 – 14 and 18)
 

Opossum and Raccoon (Night Hunting): October 1 – March 1 (Closed December 9 – 14 and 18)
 

Woodchuck

  • Bow or Shotgun: March 1, 2024 – February 22, 2025 (Closed December 9 – 14 and 18) and March 1, 2025 – February 21, 2026 (Closed December 8 – 13 and 17)
  • Modern or Muzzleloading Rifle: March 1 – October 1

Coyote and Fox

  • Bow only: September 28 – November 8
  • Bow or Shotgun: November 9 – March 15
  • Special Permit Season: January 1 – March 15 Daytime (bow, shotgun, rifle, muzzleloader, centerfire rifle, rimfire) and January 1 – March 15 Nighttime (shotgun only)

Upland Game Birds

Note there is no Sunday hunting except on semi-wild and commercial preserves.
 

Bobwhite Quail (Wild): Closed

Bobwhite Quail (Stocked): November 9 – January 31

Chukar partridge, Hungarian partridge, Pheasant: November 9 – February 17

Youth Upland Bird Day: Saturday, November 2

Youth Pheasant Days: November 4 – 8

Semi-Wild Preserves (Pheasant, Quail, Partridge): November 9 – March 15

Commercial Shooting Preserves Pheasant, Quail, Partridge, Mallard: September 1 – May 1

Crow: August 12 – December 7, and December 16 – March 15 (Monday, Thursday, and Saturday only)

Migratory Birds and New Jersey Waterfowl Hunting

Season dates are designated by zones.

Youth Waterfowl Day

  • North Zone: October 5
  • South Zone: October 12
  • Coastal Zone: October 26


Statewide Veterans and Active Military Day: November 2

Statewide Joint Youth and Veterans and Active Military Day: February 1

Duck

  • North Zone: October 12 – 19 and November 16 – January 16
  • South Zone: October 19 – 26, November 23 – December 31 (1 bird), and December 25 – December 16 (2 birds)
  • Coastal Zone: November 9 – 13 and November 28 – January 31


Scaup

  • North Zone: October 12 – 19, November 16 – December 24 (1 bird), and December 25 – January 16 (2 birds)
  • South Zone: October 19 – 26, November 23 – December 31 (1 bird), and January 1 – 31 (2 birds)
  • Coastal Zone: November 9 – 13, November 28 – January 8 (1 bird), and January 9 – 31 (2 birds)


Brant

  • North Zone: November 16 – 30 and December 14 – January 2
  • South Zone: November 23 – 30 and December 14 – January 9
  • Coastal Zone: November 28 – December 7 and December 14 – January 7


Canada Goose

  • September Season (Statewide): September 2 – 30
  • North and South Zones: November 28 – 30 and December 26 – January 25
  • Coastal Zone: November 9 – 13 and November 28 – January 31
  • Special Winter Season: January 27 – February 15


Light Goose (Statewide)

  • Regular Season: October 17 – February 15
  • Conservation Order (Statewide): February 17 – April 5


Woodcock

  • North Zone: October 19 – 26 and October 29 – 30
  • South Zone: November 9 – December 7 and December 19 – 31


Rails and Galinule: September 2 – November 21

Snipe: September 7 – January 9

Crows: August 12 –December 7 and December 16 – March 15 (Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays)

Beaver and Otter Trapping

December 26 - February 9 or January 1 – February 9 on some WMAs.

Trapping beaver or otter requires a permit awarded through an application process. Check for the application deadlines to make sure you get yours in before the state starts awarding permits.

Black Bear

Bear hunting returned for 2024. Check back for updates about the 2025 season.

 

Check the NJDEP Fish & Wildlife website for the latest updates and specifics about season dates. 

 

A dog retrieves a duck from the water and brings it to a waterfowl hunter.

What Do I Need to Know About Hunting Laws in New Jersey?

Hunters must pass the online hunter education coursework required by the state. Once completed, you'll print an online voucher to show when taking your live fire range session, offered from March through November each year.

Both educational components are required to get a hunting license. After completing both, you'll receive your hunter education course as proof that you've completed the education requirements and can get your license.

If you plan to trap animals in New Jersey, you must also pass the Trapper Education course before getting a trapping permit.

When you're ready to get your license, you can purchase it online or in person from an official agent.

What are the Bag Limits?

How many coyotes, deer, or ducks can you bring home this year? To comply with hunting laws in New Jersey, make sure you know the bag limits for every animal you plan to hunt. 

Here's an overview:

 

DeerBag limits vary based on firearm or bow, hunting zones, and season dates. Check the NJDEP Fish & Wildlife website for details. Duck6 per day
Turkey1 either-sex per permit (fall), 1 male turkey per permit (spring)Merganser5 per day
Grayscale5 per day (no season limit)Coot15 per day
Hare and Jackrabbit1 hare or jackrabbit per day (no season limit)Scaup1-2 per day (depending on the season dates and zone)
Cottontail4 per day (no season limit)Brant1 per day
Opossum and RaccoonNo limitsCanada Goose2-3 per day (depending on the season dates and zone), 15 per day (September season)
WoodchuckNo limitsLight Goose25 per day (Regular season), No Limit (Conservation order)
CoyoteNo limitsSora and Virginia Rail25 total or aggregate
FoxNo limitsClapper Rail10 per day
Bobwhite Quail4Woodcock3 per day
Partridge1Galinule1 per day
Pheasant2Snipe8 per day
  CrowsNo limits

What Else Do I Need Before I Can Hunt?

When hunting in New Jersey, you need the right gear!

Successful hunts require gear like a good hunting knife, a solid pair of binoculars, the right clothing (depending on the season), and a good rifle for firearm hunts.

Remember: As you get geared up for the season, use your gear discounts through our HuntWise partners. From odor control to clothing and optics, the HuntWise hunting app users can save hundreds on gear.

 

Close-up of a turkey hunter carrying a turkey out of a field, New Jersey hunting seasons concept.

HuntWise Guides You to Success for the New Jersey Hunting Seasons

We hope the information we've shared here is helpful as you plan your hunts this season! Just be sure also to consult official resources when finalizing your plans, as information can change.

What else do you need for success? The HuntWise hunting app! With this app, you can scout and plan your hunt before heading out, giving you an advantage over other hunters.

HuntWise is the ultimate tool for e-scouting private or public hunting land. Plus, Elite subscribers get access to more tools in the app, including up to 15 days of weather and animal activity forecasting.

Download the app and start your free trial — so you're ready for opening day!

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