New Jersey 2025 Hunting Breakdown – Seasons by Game & Region
New Jersey, often called the Garden State, offers hunters a wealth of opportunities with diverse habitats and abundant wildlife. From the rolling hills of the north to the coastal plains of the south, outdoorsmen and women can enjoy more than 100 days of deer hunting and some of the East Coast’s finest small game, upland bird, and waterfowl hunting experiences. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about the 2025 hunting seasons in New Jersey – including key dates, tag information, and wildlife management zones.
What This Guide Covers
This resource provides the most up-to-date information on New Jersey’s hunting calendar, including:
- Season dates for all major game species
- Licensing and permit requirements
- Wildlife management zones
- Bag limits and special regulations
- Essential resources for both beginners and experienced hunters
NJ Key Game Species and Season Dates
Deer Hunting Seasons
New Jersey offers multiple deer hunting seasons using various methods. Here’s a breakdown of the 2024-2025 deer hunting seasons:
Fall Bow Season
- Early Season: September 14-27, 2024 (Zones 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 36, 41, 49, 50, 51)
- Regular Season: September 28-October 25, 2024 (All zones)
- Youth Archery Day: September 21, 2024
Permit Bow Season
- October 26-December 24, December 26-31, 2024 (Most zones)
- Zone-specific dates apply for certain areas
Winter Bow Season
- January 1-February 15, 2025 (Zones 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 36, 41, 49, 50, 51)
- January 1-31, 2025 (Most other zones)
Six-Day Firearm Season
- December 9-14, 2024 (All zones)
- Youth Firearm Day: November 23, 2024
Permit Muzzleloader Season
- Varies by zone, generally December 2-3, 16-17, 21-24, 26-31, 2024, and January 1-February 8, 2025
- Antlerless Only periods in certain zones
Permit Shotgun Season
- Varies by zone, generally December 18-20, 2024, and January 4-February 8, 2025
- Antlerless Only periods in certain zones
| Season | Dates | Bag Limits |
|---|---|---|
| Fall Bow | Sep 14-Oct 25, 2024 | Varies by zone (2-unlimited antlerless, 1 antlered) |
| Permit Bow | Oct 26-Dec 31, 2024 | Varies by zone (2-unlimited antlerless, 1 antlered) |
| Winter Bow | Jan 1-Feb 15, 2025 | Varies by zone (2-unlimited antlerless, 1 antlered) |
| Six-Day Firearm | Dec 9-14, 2024 | 2 antlered deer total |
| Permit Muzzleloader | Dec 2, 2024-Feb 8, 2025 | Varies by zone (1-unlimited antlerless, 1 antlered) |
| Permit Shotgun | Dec 18, 2024-Feb 8, 2025 | Varies by zone (1-unlimited antlerless, 1 antlered) |
Turkey Season
New Jersey offers both spring and fall turkey hunting opportunities, though recently the Fish and Game Council has made some changes to the fall season.
Spring Turkey Season 2025
- Youth Day: April 19, 2025
- Period Y (Youth): April 19-May 10, 2025 (½ hour before sunrise to noon)
May 12-May 23, 2025 (½ hour before sunrise to sunset) - Period A: April 21-25, 2025
- Period B: April 28-May 2, 2025
- Period C: May 5-9, 2025
- Period D: May 12-16 and May 19-23, 2025
- Period E: April 26, May 3, 10, 17, 2025
Fall Turkey Season
- The NJ Fish and Game Council voted on March 11, 2025, to close the Fall Either-Sex Turkey Hunting Season statewide beginning Fall 2025.
Small Game Seasons
New Jersey offers a variety of small game hunting opportunities:
Gray Squirrel
- Regular Season: September 28, 2024-February 22, 2025
- Muzzleloading Rifle Season: September 28-November 8, 2024; January 4-February 22, 2025 (in designated areas only)
Rabbit and Hare
- Season: September 28, 2024-February 22, 2025
Coyote and Fox
- Bow Only: September 28-November 8, 2024
- Regular Season: November 9, 2024-March 15, 2025
- Special Permit Season (including night hunting): January 1-March 15, 2025
Woodchuck
- Season: March 1, 2024-February 22, 2025
Pheasant and Quail
- Available only on stocked Wildlife Management Areas and licensed preserves
- Check local regulations for specific dates and locations
Waterfowl and Migratory Birds
New Jersey is divided into three zones for waterfowl hunting:
North Zone
- Ducks: October 12-19, 2024; November 16-January 16, 2025
- Canada Goose: November 28-30, 2024; December 26, 2024-January 25, 2025
- Youth Day: October 5, 2024
South Zone
- Ducks: October 19-26, 2024; November 23, 2024-January 23, 2025
- Canada Goose: November 28-30, 2024; December 26, 2024-January 25, 2025
- Youth Day: October 12, 2024
Coastal Zone
- Ducks and Canada Goose: November 9-13, 2024; November 28, 2024-January 31, 2025
- Youth Day: October 26, 2024
Special Waterfowl Days
- Veterans & Active Military Day: November 2, 2024
- Joint Youth and Veterans & Active Military Day: February 1, 2025
September Canada Goose (Statewide)
- September 2-30, 2024 (15 daily bag limit)
Light Goose
- Regular Season: October 17, 2024-February 15, 2025
- Conservation Order: February 17-April 5, 2025
Woodcock
- North Zone: October 19-26, October 29-November 30, 2024
- South Zone: November 9-December 7, December 19-31, 2024
Licensing and Permit Information
License Types and Costs
Resident Licenses
- Bow & Arrow: $31.50 (Ages 16-64), $16.50 (65+)
- Firearm: $27.50 (Ages 16-64), $15.50 (65+)
- All-Around Sportsman: $72.25 (combines Firearm, Bow, and Fishing)
Youth Licenses (Ages 10-16)
- Free for both Bow & Arrow and Firearm
Non-Resident Licenses
- Bow & Arrow: $135.50
- Firearm: $135.50
- 2-Day Small Game: $36.50
Required Permits and Stamps
Deer Permits
- Permit Bow, Muzzleloader, or Shotgun: $28 ($12 for youth)
- DRS Multi-Zone Permit: $56 ($24 for youth)
- Antlered Buck Permit: $28 ($12 for youth)
Turkey Permits
- Spring/Fall: $21 ($12 for youth)
Other Permits and Stamps
- Rifle Permit: $10.50 ($6 for youth)
- Pheasant & Quail Stamp: $40
- HIP Certification: $2
- NJ Waterfowl Stamp: $10 (resident), $15 (non-resident)
- Federal Duck Stamp: $25
Wildlife Management Zones and Public Land
New Jersey is divided into various wildlife management zones (WMZs) for deer hunting and separate areas for turkey hunting. The state offers more than 360,000 acres of public land across 122 wildlife management areas.
Key public hunting lands include:
- Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
- Stokes State Forest
- Wharton State Forest
- Brendan T. Byrne State Forest
- Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge
- Peaslee Wildlife Management Area
A complete map of wildlife management zones can be found on the New Jersey Division of Fish & Wildlife website.
License Purchase Information
Licenses can be purchased:
- Online at NJFishandWildlife.com
- At authorized license agents throughout the state
First-time hunters must complete a Hunter Education course before purchasing a hunting license, unless applying for an Apprentice License.
Hunting FAQ
How do I get a hunting license in New Jersey?
First-time hunters must complete a Hunter Education course specific to their desired hunting method (bow or firearm). Upon completion, you can purchase a license online or at an authorized license agent.
What’s required for non-residents to hunt in New Jersey?
Non-residents must show either a resident license from their home state or proof of completing an appropriate hunter education course. Non-residents pay $135.50 for either a bow or firearm license.
Are there public lands available for hunting?
Yes, New Jersey offers over 750,000 acres of public hunting land, including wildlife management areas, state forests, and national wildlife refuges.
Can I hunt on Sundays in New Jersey?
Sunday hunting is permitted only for deer during archery seasons on wildlife management areas and private property. Sunday hunting is also permitted for opossum and raccoon during specified night hunting hours.
What are the fluorescent orange requirements?
Hunters must wear a solid, fluorescent orange hat when hunting with firearms on any pheasant/quail stocked wildlife management area. A total of 200 square inches of hunter orange is required when hunting small game with firearms.
Related Resources
For more in-depth information, check out these valuable resources:
- Waterfowl Hunting Zones and Regulations
- Pennsylvania Hunting Seasons
- Delaware Hunting Seasons
Final Thoughts for Garden State Hunters
New Jersey might be the nation’s most densely populated state, but it offers remarkably diverse and abundant hunting opportunities. From the Kittatinny Mountains to the coastal marshes, sportsmen and women can pursue everything from trophy whitetails to migrating waterfowl.
Remember to always check zone-specific regulations before heading afield, purchase the appropriate licenses and permits, and practice ethical hunting techniques. By following regulations and embracing conservation principles, we can ensure these hunting traditions continue for generations to come.
Always review the official New Jersey Hunting & Trapping Digest for the most detailed and up-to-date information, as regulations and season dates may change.
