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.
Updated March 31, 2026
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 | |
|---|---|
Deer Hunting in New JerseyTake 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
Confirm all archery dates, bag limits, zones, and regulations sets with the NJFW before your hunt. Firearm
Confirm all firearm dates, zones, bag limits, and regulations sets with the NJFW before your hunt. | Turkey 2026Turkey 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 18, 2026 Spring 2026 Gobbler Season:
Fall 2025 Either-Sex Season: 2026 fall dates to come.
|
Small GameWhen 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
| Coyote and Fox
|
Upland Game BirdsNote 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 HuntingSeason dates are designated by zones. Youth Waterfowl Day
Statewide Veterans and Active Military Day: November 8, 2025 Statewide Joint Youth and Veterans and Active Military Day: January 31, 2026 Duck & Scaup
Brant
Canada Goose
Light Goose (Statewide)
Woodcock
Rails and Galinule: September 1 – November 20, 2025 Snipe: September 6, 2025 – January 8, 2026 Crows: August 11 – November 29, 20252 and December 15, 2025 – March 21, 2026 (Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays) |
Beaver and Otter TrappingDecember 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 BearBear 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.
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.
Download the app and . Try Pro and Elite features free for a week, so you're ready for opening day!
Content most recently reviewed and updated for recency and the latest season dates March 31, 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.
Try Pro and Elite features free for a week, so you're ready for opening day!
