New Jersey has lots of different animals to hunt and different seasons to hunt them in. Whether you like using a bow or a shotgun, there’s something for every hunter.

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In 2025, there will be chances for both new and veteran hunters to find thrills in New Jersey’s forests and fields. If you want to hunt deer, turkey, small animals or ducks, there are rules in place that fit what you want to hunt.

To make sure your hunt is safe and legal:

Learn the exact dates for what you want to hunt
- Understand limits on how many you can kill
- Know what times of day you are allowed to hunt
- Have the proper hunting license and permits
Follow all restrictions that apply to that animal during that season

Key Dates and Guidelines for New Jersey’s 2025-2026 Hunting

Big Games

Deer – Archery

Fall Bow (select zones): Sept. 13 – Oct. 3
Fall Bow (remaining zones): Oct. 4 – Oct. 31
Youth Archery Day: Sept. 27
Permit Bow: Nov. 1 – Dec. 24 & Dec. 26 – Dec. 31
Winter Bow: Jan. 1 – Feb. 21

Deer – Firearm

Youth Firearm Day: Nov. 22
Six-Day Firearm: Dec. 8 – Dec. 13
Permit Shotgun (Antlerless): Nov. 24-26, 28 & Dec. 8-13
Permit Shotgun (Either Sex): Dec. 17-19; Jan. 3 – Feb. 14
Permit Muzzleloader: Dec. 1-2, 15-16, 20-24, 26-31; Jan. 1-31

Black Bear

Archery Segment A: Oct. 13 – Oct. 18
Muzzleloader Segment A: Oct. 16 – Oct. 18
Shotgun/Muzzleloader Segment B: Dec. 8 – Dec. 13
Potential Extension: Dec. 17 – 20

🦃 Turkey

Spring Gobbler

Youth Turkey Day: April 18
Period A: Apr. 20 – 24
Period B: Apr. 27 – May 1
Period C: May 4 – 8
Period D: May 11 – 15 & May 18 – 22
Period E (Saturdays): Apr. 25; May 2, 9, 16
Youth Period Y: May 11 – 22

🦊 Furbearers

Trapping

Beaver & Otter: Dec. 26 – Feb. 9
Coyote, Gray Fox, Red Fox: Nov. 15 – Mar. 15
Mink, Muskrat, Nutria (North): Nov. 15 – Mar. 15
Mink, Muskrat, Nutria (South): Dec. 1 – Mar. 15
Opossum, Raccoon, Skunk: Nov. 15 – Mar. 15
Weasels: Nov. 15 – Mar. 15

🐦 Upland Birds

Pheasant, Quail & More

Pheasant, Chukar, Partridge: Nov. 8 (8 a.m.) – Feb. 16
Quail (stocked): Nov. 8 (8 a.m.) – Jan. 31
Youth Pheasant Day: Nov. 1
Youth Pheasant Days: Nov. 3 – 7

Preserves

Commercial: Sept. 1 – May 1
Semi-Wild: Nov. 8 (8 a.m.) – March 15

🐿️ Upland Animals

Small Game

Gray Squirrel (muzzleloader): Sept. 27 – Nov. 7; Jan. 3 – Feb. 21
Squirrel, Hare, Jackrabbit, Rabbit: Sept. 27 – Feb. 21
Opossum & Raccoon (night): Oct. 1 – Mar. 1
Woodchuck (bow/shotgun): Mar. 1 – Feb. 21
Woodchuck (rifle): Mar. 1 – Oct. 1 & Mar. 2 – Sept. 30

Other

American Crow: Aug. 11 – Nov. 29; Dec. 15 – Mar. 21 (Mon, Thu, Fri, Sat)
Coyote & Fox (bow): Oct. 4 – Nov. 7
Coyote & Fox (shotgun): Nov. 8 – Mar. 15

🦆 Migratory Birds

Rails, Snipe, Woodcock

Rails & Gallinules: Sept. 1 – Nov. 20
Snipe: Sept. 6 – Jan. 8
Woodcock (North): Oct. 18-25 & Oct. 28 – Nov. 29
Woodcock (South): Nov. 8 – Dec. 6; Dec. 20 – Jan. 1

Ducks, Geese & More

Ducks (North/South): Oct. 18 – Oct. 25; Nov. 22 – Jan. 22
Ducks (Coastal): Nov. 22 – Jan. 30
Scaup: Oct. 18 – Oct. 25; Nov. 22 – Dec. 30 (1); Dec. 31 – Jan. 22 (2)
September Canada Goose: Sept. 1 – Sept. 30
Brant: Nov. 22 – Nov. 29; Dec. 13 – Jan. 8
Brant (Alt): Nov. 27 – 29; Dec. 23 – Jan. 22
Light Geese (Regular): Oct. 16 – Feb. 14
Light Geese (Conservation): Feb. 16 – Apr. 4
Winter Canada Goose: Jan. 23 – Feb. 14

🎯 Special Opportunities

Youth Days

Deer Archery: Sept. 27
Deer Firearm: Nov. 22
Pheasant: Nov. 1 & Nov. 3-7
Turkey: April 18
Waterfowl: Oct. 11 (N/S); Nov. 15 (Coastal); Jan. 31

Veterans & Military

Waterfowl: Nov. 8 & Jan. 31

NJ hunting license fees

License Type	Fee
Youth Bow & Arrow (Ages 10–16)	Free
Youth Firearm (Ages 10–16)	Free
Resident Bow & Arrow (Ages 16–64)	$31.50
Senior Resident Bow & Arrow (65+)	$16.50
Resident Firearm (Ages 16–64)	$27.50
Senior Resident Firearm (65+)	$15.50
All-Around Sportsman (Resident)	$72.25
All-Around Sportsman with Buddy License	$62.25
Resident Apprentice Bow & Arrow (Ages 14–64)	$31.50
Senior Resident Apprentice Bow & Arrow (65+)	$16.50
Non-Resident Bow & Arrow (Ages 16+)	$135.50
Resident Apprentice Firearm (Ages 18–64)	$27.50
Senior Resident Apprentice Firearm (65+)	$15.50
Non-Resident Firearm (Ages 16+)	$135.50
Non-Resident 2-Day Small Game Firearm	$36.50
Special One-day Firearm (Commercial Preserves)	$12.50
Disabled Veterans (DV) Hunting Licenses	Free
National Guard (NJNG) Hunting Licenses	Free

NJ Hunting Regulations

Hunters can’t use firearms within 450 feet of buildings or school playgrounds. Bowhunters must stay 150 feet away from buildings.
Bows need a minimum draw weight of 35 pounds. Crossbows require at least 75 pounds.
You can use crossbows to bowfish (except in Greenwood Lake) and hunt migratory birds.
Game birds in flight need flu flu arrows. You can’t use edged heads for birds in flight.
The law bans poison, drug, or explosive tips.
Sunday bowhunting for deer is okay on private land and state wildlife management areas.
Baiting works for deer hunting. You can’t hunt other species within 300 feet of bait.
The law doesn’t allow you to bring in whole carcasses nontaxidermied heads, or cervid family members from other states or countries.
You can’t use cervid-derived lures. synthetic or non-cervid lures are okay.
Dogs can’t run or track wounded deer, except for certified tracking dogs.
You can’t use drones to hunt, scout, or track wildlife.
Falconry needs a permit and isn’t allowed for people under 14. You can’t practice falconry on migratory birds on Sundays.
Shotguns, muzzleloaders, air guns, and modern rifles fall under the category of legal firearms.
NJ concealed carry permit holders can carry a handgun, but they can’t use it to hunt.
The law bans silencers carrying both a firearm and bow smart rifles, and using visible beams or lights on game.
The law forbids shooting from or carrying a loaded firearm in/on vehicles, including ATVs.
Hunters can’t use shot size larger than #4, except for deer, waterfowl, woodchuck, coyote, and fox.
Small game hunters can use rifles, but deer hunters can’t (no rimfire or centerfire rifles allowed).
The law bans shotguns larger than 10-gauge, and limits shells to three, except during goose seasons.
Hunters can use air guns with calibers from .177 to .22 that produce 600+ FPS velocity to hunt rabbits, hares, and squirrels.
Air guns don’t need a rifle permit.
Muzzleloaders must run on black powder or its equivalents, not smokeless powder.
Muzzleloader users need a valid Rifle Permit, and can’t use electronic ignition systems.
Hunters can use muzzleloaders during certain seasons such as deer, Coyote-Fox Special Permit Season, and Muzzleloader Squirrel Season.
People who hunt with firearms must put on 200 square inches of bright orange clothing that others can see from every angle, including a solid orange hat.
Hunters don’t need to wear orange when they’re after waterfowl, crow wild turkey, or coyote/fox during special permit seasons.
The law says you can’t get in the way of legal hunting by making a lot of noise or causing trouble.

Top New Jersey Hunting Locations by Place Name and Species

New Jersey has many public and private hunting grounds with a variety of species. Here are the top places by place name and species found, along with types of hunting:

Deer

Whittling: It contains a large population of white-tailed deer; therefore, it serves as an excellent source to hunt these deer.
Flatbrook-Roy: This area covers large portions of both forested and agricultural habitats, making it an excellent deer hunting ground.
Black River: This is a very good location for bow-hunting deer, with diverse habitats and landscapes in the area.

Turkey

Whittling: It is also a stronghold for turkey hunting, having an excellent abundance of wild turkeys.
Delaware Water Gap National Recreation: This national park offers very excellent opportunities for turkey hunting, which mainly occurs during spring.
Forked River: There are different species found within this area and naturally, turkeys, which will make good hunting.

Small Game

Whittling: Its varieties of small game species include squirrels, rabbits, and even opossums.
Pines Wildlife Management: It offers pine barrens habitat capable of supporting vital populations of small game.
Delaware Water Gap National Recreation: In this park, one is allowed to hunt small game, including squirrels and rabbits in wooded areas.

Waterfowl

Delaware Bay: It’s a renowned bay for waterfowl hunting in the fall and winter seasons.
Maurice River: It has good opportunities for waterfowl hunting, such as ducks and geese.
Forked River: It has good waterfowl hunting conditions, and it has access to tidal marshes and rivers.

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Eric Hale

Author & Chief Editor at AskHunting.com

Eric Hale, a veteran hunter with more than a decade of experience, imparts his knowledge via AskHunting.com. He offers guidance for hunting, adding strategies, and delivers in-depth guides for the novice and the old hand. He loves family camping sessions, watching Marvel films with his spouse, and going on thrilling road journeys.

New Jersey Outdoors: 2025-2026 Hunting Season Dates and Rules