New Jersey Hunting

New Jersey Hunting

Table of Contents

Even though New Jersey is one of the smallest states in the USA, it still has a lot to offer resident and nonresident hunters in terms of large and small game. Some of the most common ones include deer, turkeys, bears, and other small game animals.

New Jersey Hunting Regulations

New Jersey hunting regulations consist of laws and requirements that must be met by all hunters in the state. Some of the most important ones include the following:

Baiting Regulations in New Jersey

It is a prohibition for anyone to kill, shoot or attempt to shoot, inure, hunt, take or attempt to take, or have hunting weapons and firearms to take wildlife and games from any type of elevated area or trees, within at least 300 feet from baited areas.

According to New Jersey hunting regulations, baited areas refer to places where food products or any other substance used to lure game animals have been exposed or scattered.

However, farmland areas for harvesting crops are not baited areas regardless of if they contain any food product usually used to lure birds or game animals.

There is an exception to baiting regulation as regards deer hunting in New Jersey. Hunters that want to take deer from trees and elevated areas are allowed to do it within baited areas regardless of the required distance.

Trespassing Regulations

Hunters must obtain a permit from owners of private lands before they can take games on their properties. An exception is only allowed if the hunter is the owner of the lands. Also, hunters will be held liable for any damage to properties on private lands. Landowners will not be held responsible for injuries of hunters, regardless of if they grant a permit to hunt on their property.

Prohibition for the Use of Bow and Arrows in New Jersey

Some of the unlawful use of bows, arrows, and archeries in New Jersey include the following:

  • It is a prohibition to make use of arrows that have tips coated with poisons or explosives. It is also a prohibition to have such an arrow in your possession in the name of hunting.
  • It is a prohibition to make use of an edged head arrow to hunt down bird games while they are in flight.
  • It is a prohibition to hunt games with a bow within an hour and 30 minutes after sunset and an hour prior to sunrise regardless of the hunting season.
  • It is a prohibition to take game animals with bow and arrow from vehicles in the state, regardless of if they are in motion or not.
  • It is a prohibition to have in your possession firearms and archery when you are hunting in New Jersey.
  • It is a prohibition to have your crossbow in a cocked position while transporting in a vehicle.

New Jersey Closed Season Hunting

New Jersey does not have specified hunting and trapping for some games in the state. The games on this list are bobcats, sandhill crane, grouse, mourning dove, fishers.

New Jersey Hunting Dog Regulations

It is a prohibition to let your hunting dog run at large while hunting. Hunters are allowed to train their hunting dogs during daylight but without the use of firearms. But it is a prohibition to train dogs during New Jersey hunting seasons.

Also, no hunter should train dogs meant for the hunting of opossum and raccoon games on Wildlife Management Areas. However, exceptions are allowed for some periods of the year like between the 1st of September to the 1st of October and from the 1st of March to the 1st of May. The training hours in these periods will be between an hour after sunset and an hour prior to sunrise.

It is a prohibition to use hunting dogs to take or pursue games like deer and black bears. It is also a prohibition to track these wounded games with dogs. But hunters are allowed to use the services of certified dog handlers in New Jersey with a valid permit to use dogs for tracking and recovering wounded games in the state only during the game’s specified hunting season.

Hunting in the Delaware River

It is a prohibition to hunt in the Delaware rivers due to state boundary restrictions. To hunt in any other part of New Jersey you will need a state-approved stamp or permit for the location that you are.

Drones and Unmanned Aircraft Regulations

It is a prohibition to make use of drones or any type of unmanned aircraft that is controlled remotely to trap, take, hunt, track, harass, recover or scout wildlife and game animals, except if it is approved by the authority in charge.

Falconry Hunting Regulations

It is a prohibition for anyone to make use of a raptor to hunt without a New Jersey Falconry permit or a state hunting license. Also, it is unlawful for anyone that is less than 14 years old to hunt any game with the use of raptors. New Jersey hunting laws also prohibit the hunting of migratory game birds with raptors on Sundays.

Only hunters that pass the required examination and prove that they have the proper facilities to keep raptors will be issued a falconry permit in New Jersey. Apprentice or beginning falconers can only be sponsored by experienced falconers.

It is a prohibition to possess firearms during the hunting of raptors in New Jersey.

Open Carry While Hunting.

You can open carry while hunting in the state. However, during archery season, you cannot open carry or possess firearms.

New Jersey firearm harassment law includes the following:

  • Nobody shall impede or attempt to restrict the movement of someone that is taking part in the legal hunting of firearms.
  • Nobody shall make a barrier to deny entry and exit in any part of wildlife licensed for hunting activities to take place.
  • Nobody shall try to make any illegal physical contact with a person licensed to carry out hunting.
  • Nobody shall take part in any attempt to rob or destroy any property meant for hunting in the state.
  • Nobody shall disturb or try to alter the typical setting of a property licensed for lawful hunting activity.
  • Nobody shall trespass on any public or private land or water meant for hunting activity without gaining permission from the owner or the appropriate authority before doing so.
  • Nobody shall cause any disturbance to make gestures that annoy or prevent anybody from engaging in lawful hunting activity.
  • Nobody shall put himself or herself in the way of a fire during legal hunting sessions.

New Jersey Hunting Licenses, Permits, and Tags.

New Jersey hunting licenses are issued based on residency, age, and the type of weapon required to take games. Permits, tags, and stamps are available for the taking of specific games. Therefore, the hunting of certain games will require both a hunting license and a hunting permit.

Hunting licenses available in New Jersey include the following:

Firearm Licenses

New Jersey firearm licenses include the following:

  • Resident Firearm Hunting License

This license is available for residents of New Jersey that are between the ages of 16 and 64. It costs $27.5.

  • Apprentice Firearm License

This license is available for apprentice hunters that are residents of New Jersey and are yet to complete the required hunting course. The age requirement to purchase this license is between the ages of 18 and 64 years old. It costs $27.5.

  • Senior Resident Firearm Hunting Licenses

This license is available to only senior residents of New Jersey that are 65 years old or more. It costs $15.5.

  • Apprentice Senior Residents Firearm License

This license is available to only apprentice senior residents of New Jersey that are 65 years old or more, and yet to complete the hunter training course. It costs $15.5.

  • Non-Resident Firearm Hunting License

This license is available for non-residents that want to take part in New Jersey hunting seasons. It costs $135.5.

  • Non-Resident Apprentice License

This license is available for apprentice hunters that are non-residents and are yet to complete the required hunting course. The age requirement to purchase this license is between the ages of 18 and 64 years old. It costs $135.5.

  • Non-Resident 2 Days Small Game Firearm Hunting License

This license allows non-residents to hunt small games for 2 consecutive days. Holders are allowed to take part in waterfowls hunting, but not turkey hunting in New Jersey.

  • 1 Day Special Hunting License

This license is only available for hunting in New Jersey commercial preserves for just one day. It costs $12.5

Bow and Arrow License

Types of bow and arrow licenses in New Jersey include the following:

  • Residents Bow and Arrow Hunting License

This license is available for residents of New Jersey that are between the ages of 16 and 64. It costs $31.5.

  • Apprentice Bow and Arrow Hunting License

This license is available for apprentice hunters that are residents of New Jersey and are yet to complete the required hunting course. The age requirement to purchase this license is between the ages of 14 and 64 years old. It costs $31.5.

  • Senior Resident Bow and Arrow Hunting Licenses

This license is available to only senior residents of New Jersey that are 65 years old or more. It costs $16.5.

  • Apprentice Senior Residents Bow and Arrow Hunting License

This license is available to only apprentice senior residents of New Jersey that are 65 years old or more, and yet to complete the hunter training course. It costs $16.5.

  • Non-Resident Bow and Arrow Hunting License

This license is available for non-residents that want to take part in New Jersey hunting seasons. It costs $135.5.

  • Non-Resident Apprentice Bow and Arrow Hunting License

This license is available for apprentice hunters that are non-residents and are yet to complete the required hunting course. The age requirement to purchase this license is between the ages of 18 and 64 years old. It costs $135.5.

  • Youth Bow and Arrow Hunting

This license is available to youths that are between the ages of 10 and 15 years old. It is free of charge.

New Jersey hunting Permits

Hunting Permits in New Jersey Include the Following

  • Deer Permits

These permits are issued for the taking of deer regardless of the type of weapon. It costs $28.

  • Youth Deer and Turkey Hunting Permit

This permit is available for only youths that are between the ages of 10 and 15 years old. It costs $12.

  • Turkey Season Permit

To hunt turkeys during their hunting season, you will need a turkey season permit. It costs $21.

  • Black Bears Permits

New Jersey black bear permit cost $2.

  • Rifle Permit

To hunt with rifles, you need to first purchase a rifle permit. This permit will be valid from 1st July to the 30th of June. The age requirement to apply for the permit is 16 years or more. It costs $10.5.

  • Youth Rifle Permit

To hunt with rifles from 1st July to the 30th of June, youths will need to obtain this permit first. It is only available for those under the age of 16, and it costs $6.

  • Beaver Trapping Permit

To trap Beavers in New Jersey, you need to first purchase this permit. It costs $17.

  • Coyotes and Fox Permits

To hunt coyotes and foxes in New Jersey, you must first obtain a hunting permit. It costs $2.

New Jersey Hunting Stamps

Hunting Stamps available in New Jersey include the following:

  • Pheasant and Quail Hunting Stamp

This stamp costs $40.

  • Waterfowl Hunting Stamp for

This license is only valid from 1st July to the 30th of June. It is available for residents and non-residents at costs of $5 and $10 respectively.

Trapping Licenses

New Jersey trapping licenses include the following:

  • Resident Trapping License

This license will allow residents of New Jersey to set traps for game animals. It costs $32.5.

  • Non-Residents Trapping License

Non-residents that want to set traps for games in New Jersey will have to purchase this license. It costs $200.5

  • Youth Trapping License

This license is available for youths that are between the ages of 12 and 15 years old. It allows them to set traps for free.

New Jersey Fishing Licenses, Permits, and Tags.

Fishing licenses, permits, and tags in New Jersey include the following:

Sportsman Combination License

This is a New Jersey fishing and hunting license. Asides from fishing, it allows holders to take part in firearms and bowhunting. It costs $72.25.

Residents Fishing License

This license is available for only residents of New Jersey that are between the ages of 16 and 64 years old. It costs $22.5

Senior Residents Fishing License

This license is available for senior residents of New Jersey that are between the ages of 65 and 69 years old. It costs $12.5.

Resident Trout Stamps

Residents that want to harvest trout fishes in New Jersey need to purchase this license. It costs $10.5.

Non-Residents Fishing Licenses

This license is available for non-residents that want to harvest fishes in New Jersey water bodies. The age requirement for the license is 16 years and older. It costs $34.

Non-Resident Trout Stamps

Non-Residents that want to harvest trout fishes in New Jersey need to purchase this license. It costs $20.

7 Days’ Vacation Fishing License

This license is available for only non-residents or tourists in New Jersey. It is valid for just 7 days, and it costs $19.5.

2 Days’ Vacation Fishing License

This license is available for only non-residents or tourists in New Jersey. It is valid for just 2 days, and it costs $9.

New Jersey Hunting Season

Hunting seasons in New Jersey vary for the different games and the type of hunting weapon needed to take them.

The 2020/21 hunting season for various wildlife in New Jersey includes the following:

New Jersey Deer Hunting Season

  • Archery Hunting Season (12th of September to 30th of October)
  • Youth Archery Hunting Season (26th of September)
  • Firearms Hunting Season (7th of December to 12th of December)
  • Youths Firearm Hunting Season (21st of November)

New Jersey Black Bear Season

  • Archery Hunting Season (12th of October to 14th of October)
  • Archery and Muzzleloader Hunting Season (15th of October to 17th of October)
  • Firearm Hunting Season (7th of December to 12th of December and 16th of December to 19th of December)

Black bears hunting in New Jersey requires permits that are always limited and sell quickly because of the large number of hunters interested.

New Jersey Wild Turkey Seasons

  • Fall General Hunting Season (To Be Disclosed)
  • Spring General Hunting Season (To Be Disclosed)
  • Spring Youth Day (To Be Disclosed)

For turkey hunting, dates for the various seasons will vary based on New Jersey hunting zones. Permits to hunt turkeys will be available based on lotteries, and interested hunters must apply between January and February. Turkey hunters should know that there is no fall Hunting Season.

New Jersey Small Game Seasons

  • Coyote Hunting Season (To Be Disclosed)
  • Pheasant Hunting Season (To Be Disclosed)
  • Partridge Hunting Season (To Be Disclosed)
  • Rabbit Hunting Season (To Be Disclosed)
  • Squirrel Hunting Season (To Be Disclosed)

Hunters should know that the bag limits, hunting regulations, and laws vary for game animals and the specific season. They are advised to visit the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife for more important information about the game they want to hunt, the hunting season, and the hunting zone.

New Jersey Wildlife, Games, and Fishes.

Common games and wildlife in New Jersey include the following:

New Jersey Black Bear Hunting

Black bears are big games widely dispersed in the Northern part of America. They can be found in every forest in North America and even Mexico. They inhabit woodland areas in New Jersey such as oak woodland, chaparral, and coniferous forests.

New Jersey Turkey Hunting

Turkeys are one of the most common big games in New Jersey. Hunting of turkey in New Jersey is highly regulated with permits and tags.

New Jersey Deer Hunting

The 2 most common deer species available for big game hunting in New Jersey are Mule deer and white-tailed deer.

New Jersey Rabbit Hunting

There are 3 species of cottontail rabbits in New Jersey and they are available for small game hunting. They include mountain cottontail, desert cottontail, and eastern cottontail.

New Jersey Pheasant Hunting

Pheasants inhabit regions of New Jersey with very high humidity that are used for agricultural purposes. Pheasant hunting in New Jersey is quite common.

New Jersey Squirrel Hunting

Tree squirrels are one of the most popular small game birds hunted in New Jersey. There are about 4 various species of another 8 subspecies of them and they inhabit forested regions of the state.

New Jersey Coyote Hunting

Coyotes are very popular in the state and can be found in every part of the state.

New Jersey Raccoon Hunting

Raccoons are one of the few games in New Jersey that are allowed to be captured with firearms during the night.

New Jersey Shooting Range

Some of the shooting ranges in new jersey available to the general public include the following:

  • Assunpink WMA
  • Atlantic County Firearms Training Facility
  • Black River WMA
  • Clinton WMA
  • Colliers Mills WMA
  • Delran Junior Marksman Club
  • Winslow WMA
  • Tuckahoe WMA
  • Red Wing Sporting Clays
  • Thunder Mountain Trap & Skeet Club
  • Shongum Sportsmen’s Association
  • Quinton Sportsmen’s Club
  • Police Association of South Jersey
  • New Jersey Firearms Academy
  • North Jersey Clay Target Club
  • Millville WMA
  • Mallard Trap Club
  • Fort Dix Rod & Gun Club, Range 14
  • Good Sports Gunning Club
  • Gun for Hire SORA Training Center

New Jersey Hunting Lands for Sale and Lease

Hunting lands for sale in New Jersey Include the following:

  • 48 acres of farmland in rural Raritan township, Hunterdon County, New Jersey.
  • 45 Acre Lot ideal for hunting and fishing in Sussex County. The Papakating creek runs through the property.

Hunting lands for lease in New Jersey include the following:

  • 11.5 Acres for Hunting Deer, Fox, Turkey, Farrington Lake Park Area, South Brunswick, Middlesex County, New Jersey
  • 275 acres all wooded rolling hills in southeast Ohio in Athens County. Lots of deer with a good number of big bucks, ATV use is permitted, the property is fully baited and ready to hunt.
  • 11.5 Acres for Hunting Deer, Fox, Turkey, Farrington Lake Park Area, South Brunswick, in Middlesex County, New Jersey.