New Jersey Outdoors: 2024-2025 Hunting Season Dates and Rules

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.

In 2024, 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 killKnow 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 2024-2025 Hunting

Big Games

Archery Deer

Fall Bow:

• Zones 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 36, 41, 49, 50, 51
• Sept. 14–Sept. 27, 2024: Must take one antlerless deer before pursuing a buck (youth license holders are exempt).
• Sept. 28–Oct. 25, 2024: Unlimited antlerless and one antlered; up to two deer can be taken at once.
• Zones 5, 19, 25, 42, 48
• Sept. 14–Oct. 25, 2024: Nine antlerless and one antlered; two deer can be taken at once.
• Zones 2, 16, 27, 28, 29, 31, 35, 47
• Sept. 14–Oct. 25, 2024: Five antlerless and one antlered.
• Zones 6
• Sept. 14–Oct. 25, 2024: Unlimited antlerless and one antlered.
• Zones 30, 55, 63, 65
• Sept. 28–Oct. 25, 2024: Two antlerless or one antlerless and one antlered.
• Zones 1, 3*, 4, 18, 22, 26
• Sept. 14–Oct. 25, 2024: One antlerless and one antlered.
• Zones 21, 23, 24, 34*, 43, 45, 46
• Sept. 14–Oct. 25, 2024: One deer only, either sex.

Youth Day Archery:

• All Zones listed above
• Sept. 21, 2024: One deer, either sex. Youth must be with a licensed adult.

Permit Bow Season:

• Zones 10, 11, 13*, 14, 15, 36, 49, 50, 51
• Oct. 26–Dec. 24, 2024, and Dec. 26–Dec. 31, 2024: Unlimited antlerless and one antlered (two deer can be taken at once). A Buck Permit is required.
• Zones 7, 8, 9*, 12, 17, 41
• Oct. 26–Dec. 31, 2024: Unlimited antlerless and one antlered; up to two deer can be taken at once.
• Zones 5, 19, 25, 42, 48
• Oct. 26–Dec. 31, 2024: Nine antlerless and one antlered; two deer can be taken at once.
• Zones 2, 16, 27, 28, 29, 31, 35, 47
• Oct. 26–Dec. 31, 2024: Five antlerless and one antlered.
• Zones 6
• Oct. 26–Dec. 31, 2024: Unlimited antlerless and one antlered.
• Zones 30, 55, 63, 65
• Oct. 26–Nov. 24, 2024: Two antlerless or one antlerless and one antlered.
• Zones 1, 3*, 4, 18, 22, 26
• Oct. 26–Nov. 24, 2024: One antlerless and one antlered.
• Zones 21, 23, 24, 34*, 43
• Oct. 26–Nov. 23, 2024: One deer only, either sex.

Winter Bow Season:

• Zones 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 36, 41, 49, 50, 51
• Jan. 1–Feb. 15, 2025: Unlimited antlerless and one antlered; two deer can be taken at once.
• Zones 5, 19, 25, 42, 48
• Jan. 1–Jan. 31, 2025: Nine antlerless and one antlered; two deer can be taken at once.
• Zones 2, 16, 27, 28, 29, 31, 35, 47
• Jan. 1–Jan. 31, 2025: Five antlerless and one antlered.
• Zones 6
• Jan. 1–Jan. 31, 2025: Unlimited antlerless and one antlered.
• Zones 30, 55, 63, 65
• Jan. 1–Jan. 31, 2025: Two antlerless or one antlerless and one antlered.
• Zones 1, 3*, 4, 18, 22, 26
• Jan. 1–Jan. 31, 2025: One antlerless and one antlered.
• Zones 21, 23, 24, 34*, 43
• Jan. 1–Jan. 31, 2025: One deer only, either sex.

All harvests must be reported by 7 p.m. on the same day as the harvest.

Firearm Deer

No Sunday hunting is allowed during any firearm season.
Hunting hours: Half hour before sunrise to half hour after sunset.
Note: Coyote and fox may be harvested while deer hunting (except on Youth Day).

Youth Day Firearm (All Zones):

• Date: Nov. 23, 2024
• Bag Limit: One deer, either sex.
• Notes: Youth must be accompanied by a licensed, non-hunting adult. Antler Point Restriction does not apply.

Permit Muzzleloader:

• Zones 10, 11, 13*, 14, 15, 36, 49, 50, 51:
• Antlerless only: Nov. 25–27, 29, Dec. 9–14, 2024
• Either sex: Dec. 2–3, 16–17, Dec. 21–24, 26–31, 2024, Jan. 1–Feb. 8, 2025
• Bag Limit: Unlimited antlerless, 1 antlered (2 deer at a time)
• Zones 7, 8, 9*, 12, 17, 41:
• Antlerless only: Dec. 9–14, 2024
• Either sex: Dec. 2–3, Dec. 16–17, Dec. 21–24, 26–31, 2024, Jan. 1–Feb. 8, 2025
• Bag Limit: Unlimited antlerless, 1 antlered (2 deer at a time)
• Zones 5, 19, 25, 42, 48:
• Dates: Dec. 2–3, Dec. 16–17, Dec. 21–24, 26–31, 2024, Jan. 1–31, 2025
• Bag Limit: Nine antlerless, 1 antlered (2 deer at a time)
• Zones 2, 16, 27, 28, 29, 31, 35, 47:
• Dates: Dec. 2–3, Dec. 16–17, Dec. 21–24, 26–31, 2024, Jan. 1–11, 2025
• Bag Limit: Five antlerless, 1 antlered
• Zones 6, 30, 55, 63, 65:
• Dates: Dec. 2–3, Dec. 16–17, Dec. 21–24, 26–31, 2024
• Bag Limit: Two antlerless, or one antlerless and one antlered
• Zones 1, 3*, 4, 18, 22, 26:
• Dates: Dec. 2–3, Dec. 16–17, Dec. 21–24, 26–31, 2024
• Bag Limit: One antlerless, one antlered
• Zones 21, 23, 24, 34*, 43:
• Dates: Dec. 2–3, Dec. 21, 23–24, 26–31, 2024
• Bag Limit: One deer only, either sex

Permit Shotgun:

• Zones 10, 11, 13*, 14, 15, 36, 49, 50, 51:
• Antlerless only: Nov. 25–27, 29, Dec. 9–14, 2024
• Either sex: Dec. 18–20, 2024, Jan. 4–Feb. 8, 2025
• Bag Limit: Unlimited antlerless, 1 antlered (2 deer at a time)
• Zones 7, 8, 9*, 12, 17, 41:
• Antlerless only: Dec. 9–14, 2024
• Either sex: Dec. 18–20, 2024, Jan. 4–Feb. 8, 2025
• Bag Limit: Unlimited antlerless, 1 antlered (2 deer at a time)
• Zones 5, 19, 25, 42, 48:
• Dates: Dec. 18–20, 2024, Jan. 4–31, 2025
• Bag Limit: Nine antlerless, 1 antlered (2 deer at a time)
• Zones 2, 16, 27, 28, 29, 31, 35, 47:
• Dates: Dec. 18–20, 2024, Jan. 11–18, 2025
• Bag Limit: Five antlerless, 1 antlered
• Zones 6, 30, 55, 63, 65:
• Dates: Dec. 18–20, 2024
• Bag Limit: Two antlerless, or one antlerless and one antlered
• Zones 1, 3, 4, 18, 21, 22, 23, 24, 26, 34, 43:
• Bag Limit: One deer only, either sex

Six-Day Firearm (All Zones):

• Dates: Dec. 9–14, 2024
• Bag Limit: Two antlered deer, one at a time. Once the first is reported, the second may be pursued. If two bucks are harvested, the bag limit for the Permit Shotgun season becomes zero.

Reminder: All deer must be tagged immediately and reported by 7 p.m. on the day of harvest. Coyote harvest must be reported by 8 p.m. Gray fox harvest reporting is requested.

Black Bear

Segment A

• Archery Only: October 14-16, 2024
• Archery/Muzzleloader Only: October 17-19, 2024

Segment B

• Shotgun/Muzzleloader Only: December 9-14, 2024

Turkey

Youth Turkey Day (April 19, 2025)

• Time: ½ hour before sunrise to noon
• 1 male turkey per permit

2024 Fall, Either Sex Turkey Season

• Period N: October 26 & October 28-November 2, 2024
  • Time: ½ hour before sunrise to ½ hour after sunset
  • 1 turkey (either sex) per permit

2025 Spring Gobbler

• Youth Turkey Day (April 19, 2025):
  • Time: ½ hour before sunrise to noon
  • 1 male turkey per permit
• Period
  • Y (ages 10-16):
    • April 19-May 10, 2025
    • May 12-May 23, 2025
  • A (M-F):
    • April 21-25, 2025
  • B (M-F):
    • April 28-May 2, 2025
  • C (M-F):
    • May 5-9, 2025
  • D (M-F):
    • May 12-16 & May 19-23, 2025
  • E (Saturdays):
    • April 26; May 3, 10, 17, 2025
    • May 17

Small Games

Gray Squirrel – Muzzleloading

• Sept. 28 – Nov. 8, 2024; Jan. 4 – Feb. 22, 2025 (sunrise – ½ hr after sunset)
• Designated zones only (see map, page 60)

Gray Squirrel, Hare, Jackrabbit, Rabbit

• Sept. 28, 2024 – Feb. 22, 2025 (8 am start on Nov. 9, closed Dec. 9-14 & 18)
• Sunrise – ½ hr after sunset

Opossum and Raccoon (Night Hunting)

• Oct. 1, 2024 – Mar. 1, 2025 (closed Dec. 9-14 & 18)
• 1 hr after sunset – 1 hr before sunrise
• Sunday hunting: 12:01 am to 1 hr before sunrise only

Woodchuck

• Mar. 1, 2024 – Feb. 22, 2025 (8 am start Nov. 9, closed Dec. 9-14 & 18)
• Mar. 1, 2025 – Feb. 21, 2026 (8 am start Nov. 8, closed Dec. 8-13 & 17)
• Sunrise – ½ hr after sunset
• Rifle use prohibited on state WMAs, Parks and Forests

Upland Birds

Bobwhite Quail

• Wild: Closed statewide
• Stocked: Nov. 9, 2024 – Jan. 31, 2025 (closed Dec. 9-14 & 18)
  • Time: 8 am start on Nov. 9, sunrise – ½ hr after sunset on other dates
  • Location: Greenwood Forest WMA, Peaslee WMA
  • Bag limit: 4 quail

Chukar Partridge, Hungarian Partridge, Pheasant

• Nov. 9, 2024 – Feb. 17, 2025 (closed Dec. 9-14 & 18)
• Time: 8 am start on Nov. 9, sunrise – ½ hr after sunset on other dates
• Bag limit: 7 partridge, 2 pheasant

Youth Upland Bird Day (Pheasant)

• Nov. 2, 2024
  • Guided: 7 am start
  • Open hunt: 1 pm start
• Bag limit: 2 pheasant

Youth Pheasant Days

• Nov. 4-8, 2024
• Sunrise – ½ hr after sunset
• Bag limit: 2 pheasant

Commercial Shooting Preserves

• Sept. 1, 2024 – May 1, 2025
• Sunrise – ½ hr after sunset
• No limit
• Sunday hunting allowed

Semi-Wild Preserves

• Nov. 9, 2024 – Mar. 15, 2025
• Sunrise – ½ hr after sunset
• No limit
• Sunday hunting allowed

Migratory Birds & Waterfowls

Crow

• Aug. 12 – Dec. 7, 2024
• Dec. 16 – Mar. 15, 2025 (Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday only)
• No limit

North Zone

• Ducks, Mergansers, and Coot: Oct. 12-19, Nov. 16-Jan. 16
• Scaup: Oct. 12-19, Nov. 16-Dec. 24, Dec. 25-Jan. 16
• Brant: Nov. 16-Nov. 30, Dec. 14-Jan. 2
• Canada Geese: Nov. 28-Nov. 30, Dec. 26-Jan. 25
• Youth-only Waterfowl Day: Oct. 5

South Zone

• Ducks, Mergansers, and Coot: Oct. 19-26, Nov. 23-Jan. 23
• Scaup: Oct. 19-26, Nov. 23-Dec. 31, Jan. 1-Jan. 23
• Brant: Nov. 23-Nov. 30, Dec. 14-Jan. 9
• Canada Geese: Nov. 28-Nov. 30, Dec. 26-Jan. 25
• Youth-only Waterfowl Day: Oct. 12

Coastal Zone

• Ducks, Mergansers, and Coot: Nov. 9-Nov. 13, Nov. 28-Jan. 31
• Scaup: Nov. 9-Nov. 13, Nov. 28-Jan. 8, Jan. 9-Jan. 31
• Brant: Nov. 28-Dec. 7, Dec. 14-Jan. 7
• Canada Geese: Nov. 9-Nov. 13, Nov. 28-Jan. 31
• Youth-only Waterfowl Day: Oct. 26

Canada Geese (September Schedule)

• Sept. 2-30, 2024
• Daily bag limit: 15

Light Geese

• Regular Season (Oct. 17 – Feb. 15, 2025): Daily bag limit: 25 (singly or in aggregate)
• Conservation Order (Feb. 17 – Apr. 5, 2025): No limit

Canada Geese (Special Winter)

• Jan. 27 – Feb. 15, 2025
• ½ hour before sunrise to sunset
• Daily bag limit: 5

Rail (Sora, Clapper, and Virginia) and Gallinule

• Sept. 2 – Nov. 21, 2024
• Sora & Virginia rail: 25 total or aggregate
• Gallinule: 1
• Clapper rail: 10

Snipe

• Sept. 7 – Jan. 9, 2025
• Daily bag limit: 8

Youth and Veterans/Active Military Days

• Youth-only Waterfowl Day: Feb. 1, 2025
• Veterans/Active Military Only Day: Nov. 2, 2024

Woodcock

• North: Oct. 19-26, Oct. 29-Nov. 30
• South: Nov. 9-Dec. 7, Dec. 19-Dec. 31
• Daily bag limit: 3

Sea Ducks

• Same as ducks by zone
• Special Sea Duck Area only: Crippled birds may be shot from craft under power

Closed Species

• Swans, harlequin duck, king rail, sandhill crane, and mourning dove

Furbearers

Fox & Coyotes

• Regular (No Permit Needed)
  • September 28 – November 8, 2024:
    • Bow only (35 lbs. pull/peak weight or crossbow)
  • November 9, 2024 – March 15, 2025:
    • Bow or shotgun (10-20 ga. using shot size up to #4 fine shot)
• Special Permit (Daytime and Limited Shotgun-Only Night Hours)
  • January 1 – March 15, 2025 (Day):
    • Bow, shotgun (10-20 ga. using BB to #3 buckshot), or rifle (rifle permit required)
  • January 1 – March 15, 2025 (Night):
    • Shotgun only (10-12 ga. using shot size #4 fine to ‘T’)

NJ hunting license fees

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.

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