NJ Hunting Seasons & Public Land

New Jersey Hunting

New Jersey offers surprisingly productive hunting with high white-tailed deer densities, strong wild turkey populations, and quality waterfowl hunting in the Pine Barrens, coastal marshes, and northwestern highlands.

280 Seasons2 Species

Direct Answer

New Jersey hunting seasons cover 280 season dates statewide for White-tailed Deer, Wild Turkey, Waterfowl and more. Most seasons are open to any licensed hunter within the posted dates. Use the tables below for exact opening and closing dates by species and zone.

Season data sourced from the New Jersey wildlife agency. Always verify dates and regulations on the official site before hunting—regulations can change during the season.

New Jersey Hunting Seasons by Species

Deer

GMUWeaponSeasonHarvestPublic
DMZ 1ArcherySep 13Dec 24
DMZ 1MuzzleloaderDec 1Feb 7
DMZ 1RifleDec 8Dec 13
DMZ 1ShotgunDec 17Feb 7
DMZ 10ArcherySep 13Dec 24
DMZ 10MuzzleloaderDec 1Feb 7

+ 194 more Deer seasons

New Jersey Hunting Season FAQ

When does hunting season start in New Jersey?

New Jersey season dates vary by species and zone. Archery seasons typically open first, followed by firearms and muzzleloader. This page lists 280 New Jersey season dates—check the species tables above for exact opening and closing dates.

What can you hunt in New Jersey?

New Jersey offers hunting for 2 species, including White-tailed Deer, Wild Turkey, Waterfowl and more. Each species has its own season dates, weapon rules and bag limits.

Always verify season dates and regulations with the official state wildlife agency:

New Jersey Official Hunting Regulations →

View New Jersey on the map

See GMU boundaries, public land, and walk-in access areas for New Jersey on our interactive hunting map.

Hunting in Canada? Explore Crown Land Maps, Hunting Seasons, Licence Guide, and Regulations for Canadian provinces.

Hunt New Jersey with offline maps