New Jersey Hunting Seasons – Updated

Welcome to the New Jersey Hunting Seasons page. Updated US Hunting Seasons for 2024-2023.

As part of our comprehensive guide to US Hunting Seasons By State on this page you will find out “When Is Hunting Season for New Jersey?”

There is also general information on the different hunting seasons for a wide range of wild game species. You will find links to the relevant State Authority so you can make sure you have all the correct legal obligations in place before you start your hunt.

The New Jersey hunting season website describes the hunting in this State as follows:

“New Jersey offers sportsmen and women more than 500,000 acres of state-owned public open space providing a diversity of habitats from hardwood ridges and rolling hills to pine forests and salt marsh. This total includes more than 355,000 acres in 122 Wildlife Management Areas, specifically managed to enhance wildlife populations and provide for wildlife-oriented recreation. Hunters can enjoy more than a hundred days of deer hunting, including seasons for bow, shotgun and muzzleloading rifle. Multiple bag limits are the rule in most zones.”

IMPORTANT. All care has been taking in preparing this hunting season information for you. Please check the relevant State Authority’s Website for further information and any changes to current US Hunting Season Regulations. We have provided a link to each States hunting season website for your convenience.

New Jersey Deer Hunting Season

The New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife makes the following comments about deer hunting during hunting season.

New Jersey’s deer herd is a major component of the landscape throughout all but the most urbanized areas of the state. Deer affect our forests, farms, gardens, backyards and roadways. From a population reduced to a handful of deer in the early 1900s they rebounded during the 20th Century to a thriving herd today. And for hunters looking for a place to hunt, New Jersey offers more than 750,000 acres of public land (state, federal, county and municipal) available to the deer hunter.”

Hunting Category

Hunting Season 2024-2023*

Firearms Dec 9-14 (2019) Dec 7-12 (2020)
Firearms (Youth) Nov 23
Bow Sept 14-Oct 25
Bow (Youth) Sept 21
Bow (Winter) Jan 1-31
Muzzleloader Dec 2-3, 21-24, 26-31

* Season dates may vary by zone. Please check the relevant State Authority Website.

New Jersey Turkey Hunting Season

The New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife makes the following comments about deer hunting during hunting season.

“There is now an abundance of wild turkeys throughout the state with turkeys found wherever there is suitable habitat. In South Jersey, where wild turkeys had been struggling just a few years ago, intensive restoration efforts have improved population numbers significantly. The statewide population is now estimated at 20,000 – 23,000 turkeys with an annual harvest of approximately 3,000 birds.”

Hunting Category

Hunting Season 2024-2023*

Spring Apr 22-May 24
Fall Oct 27-Nov 2
Youth April 20

* Season dates may vary by zone. Please check the relevant State Authority Website.

New Jersey Small Game Hunting Season

Hunting Category

Hunting Season 2024-2023*

Hogs Open to deer hunters during deer season**
Coyote (General) Sept 28 – Mar 14
Fox (General) Sept 28 – Mar 14
Rabbit & Hare Sept 28-Dec 7, Dec 16-17, Dec 19-Feb 17
Squirrel Sept 28-Dec 7, Dec 16-17, Dec 19-Feb 17
Raccoon & opossum Oct 1 – Mar 1

* Season dates may vary by zone. Please check the relevant State Authority Website. Sunday hunting not allowed on some species.

**Zones 25 and 26

New Jersey Game Bird Hunting Season

The New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife makes the following comments about deer hunting during hunting season.

“With hundreds of miles of ocean and bayshore coastline, coastal and inland wetlands, small ponds and large lakes, New Jersey hosts an enormous variety of waterfowl species. Waterfowl can be found in abundance in the varied wetland habitats throughout the state including wood ducks in the beaver swamps of northern New Jersey to snow geese in the vast salt marshes along Delaware Bay.

In fact, New Jersey’s salt marshes and coastal back bay habitats are of global significance given that over one-third of the black ducks in the eastern United States and over two-thirds of North America’s Atlantic brant spend winter in these marshes.”

Hunting Category

Hunting Season 2024-2023*

Ducks Oct 12-Jan 22
Pheasants Nov 9-Dec 7, Dec 16-17 & Dec 19-Feb 17
Canada goose Sept 2-30
Light Goose Oct 17-Feb 15

* Season dates may vary by zone. Please check the relevant State Authority Website. Sunday hunting not allowed on some species.

New Jersey Black Bear Hunting Season

Hunting Category

Hunting Season 2024-2023*

Firearms Only Dec 9-14 & 18-21
Bow only Oct 14-16
Bow & Muzzleloader Oct 17-19

* Season dates may vary by zone. Please check the relevant State Authority Website.

I hope you have found this State hunting season information helpful in planning your next great hunting adventure. Please feel free to share this page with your hunting buddies. In addition to these US Hunting Seasons by State pages, you may be interested in these posts.

11 Of The Best States For Hog Hunting​​

Good Luck!!