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 back 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.
When Can I Hunt in New Jersey?
The HuntWise 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.
New Jersey Hunting Season Dates 2026 | |
|---|---|
Deer Hunting in New JerseyZones now fall into three regulation sets.
Archery
Confirm all archery dates, bag limits, zones, and regulation sets with the NJFW before your hunt. Firearm
Permit Shotgun
Six-Day Firearm (All zones): December 7 – 12, 2026 | Turkey 2027Turkey 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.
|
Small GameWhen hunting small game, pay close attention to the firearm type, bow, and ammunition allowed for specific dates.
| Black Bear
Bear Management Zones 1 – 5 only. One bear per segment. |
Upland Game BirdsNote: There is no Sunday hunting except on semi-wild and commercial preserves.
| Migratory Birds and New Jersey Waterfowl HuntingSeason dates are designated by zones.
|
Beaver and Otter Trapping
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. | |
Check the NJDEP Fish & Wildlife website for the latest updates and specifics about season dates.
What are the Bag Limits for Hunting In New Jersey?
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.
New Jersey Hunting Season Bag Limits | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Deer | Bag limits vary based on firearm or bow, hunting zones, and season dates. Check the NJDEP Fish & Wildlife website for details. | Duck | 6 per day |
| Turkey | 1 either-sex per permit (fall), 1 male turkey per permit (spring) | Merganser | 5 per day |
| Grayscale | 5 per day (no season limit) | Coot | 15 per day |
| Hare and Jackrabbit | 1 hare or jackrabbit per day (no season limit) | Scaup | 1 (1st 40 days), 2 (last 20 days) |
| Cottontail | 4 per day (no season limit) | Brant | 1 per day |
| Opossum and Raccoon | No limits | Canada Goose | 2-3 per day (depending on the season dates and zone), 15 per day (September season) |
| Woodchuck | No limits | Light Goose | 25 per day (Regular season), No Limit (Conservation order) |
| Coyote | No limits | Sora and Virginia Rail | 25 total or aggregate |
| Fox | No limits | Clapper Rail | 10 per day |
| Bobwhite Quail | 4 | Woodcock | 3 per day |
| Partridge | 1 | Galinule | 1 per day |
| Pheasant | 2 | Snipe | 8 per day |
| Crows | No limits | ||
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.
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 map layers 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.
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.
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.
Content most recently reviewed and updated for recency and the latest season dates October 12, 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
We have answers to your questions about hunting in New Jersey!
Q: Can I hunt deer in my backyard in NJ?
A: No, you can't hunt deer in your backyard in NJ. Hunting is heavily regulated in New Jersey. Discharging a firearm or bow is prohibited within certain distances of homes/occupied buildings, and local ordinances often ban it entirely in residential areas. You must also be on legal hunting land and follow all state rules.
Q: What animals can you hunt in New Jersey?
A: New Jersey allows hunting of species such as white-tailed deer, black bear (when season is open), wild turkey, small game (like rabbits and squirrels), waterfowl, and certain furbearers (like fox and coyote). Each species has specific seasons and regulations.
Q: Can you bait deer on public land in NJ?
A: No. Baiting deer is prohibited on public land in New Jersey. It is only allowed on private property, and even then, it must follow strict state guidelines.
Q: Which county in NJ has the most deer?
A: New Jersey counties with the highest deer populations are typically in the north and northwest, especially Sussex, Hunterdon, and Warren counties, due to their rural and forested landscapes.
Q: Can I shoot deer out of season on my property?
A: No. In New Jersey, you cannot legally shoot deer outside of established hunting seasons. The only exceptions involve special permits (such as depredation or nuisance permits) issued by the state.
