Uncertain Of A Shot? Use A Deer Tracker! (Feature Article)
Urine-Based Deer Lures Advisory

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. A healthy deer herd, managed at levels that are compatible with current land use practices and the human population, has great value to the people of the state. Deer are photographed, watched and hunted by many New Jerseyans and visitors from elsewhere. Deer hunters spend more than 100 million dollars each year as they enjoy approximately 1.5 million recreation-days hunting deer. Money spent in the course of deer hunting benefits a wide variety of New Jersey businesses. 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. Visit the Public Deer Hunting Land page for a breakdown of state Wildlife Management Areas, state parks and state forests by Deer Management Zone. The page also has links for maps and information on hunting land.

The "Take a Kid Hunting" program provides unique opportunities. Click to enlarge

New Jersey produces some quality deer, including on public land! Click to enlarge Courtesy Craig Lemon

2020-2021 Deer Hunting Information Fall Bow, September 12 (Early Zones Only, Regulation Sets #4-8) Youth Deer Bow Hunt, September 26 Fall Bow, October 3 (Statewide) Permit Bow Season, October 31 Youth Deer Firearm Hunt, November 21 Permit Shotgun/Muzzleloader, November 23 (Varies by zone) Six-day Firearm Season, December 7-12 Winter Bow, January 1, 2021   NOTE: New Format for Deer Hunting Regulations! The nine Regulation Sets have been reformatted into two tables - one each for archery and firearm hunting. Regulation Sets (groups of deer management zones with the same season length and bag limits) still exist in the Game Code and are used when developing deer management strategies.   2020-2021 Deer Hunting Regulations - Archery (pdf, 500kb) 2020-2021 Deer Hunting Regulations - Firearms (pdf, 495kb) Firearms, Bows and Ammunition Legal for Deer Hunting Chart What Do I Need to Hunt Deer in New Jersey? (pdf, 575kb)     Deer Management Zone Descriptions Deer Management Zone Descriptions (pdf, 110kb) NJ Hunting and Trapping Explorer - Know your hunting DMZ/Unit/Township   General vs. Permit Deer Seasons (pdf, 590kb) What Do I Need to Hunt Deer in New Jersey? (pdf, 570kb) Deer Permit Information Public Deer Hunting Land Lands Open or Closed to Sunday Bow Hunting     Reporting a Deer - Automated Harvest Report System (AHRS) NJ Hunting and Trapping Explorer - Know your hunting DMZ/Unit/Township Deer Harvest Report Card (for recording information prior to using the AHRS and tagging harvested deer, pdf, 120kb) Certified Deer Tracking Dog Permit Information Application Form (pdf, 100kb)

New Jersey Deer Showcase

	Outstanding White-tailed Deer Program
	Garden State Deer Classic

Deer Harvest Data Comprehensive Harvest Summary Table, 1972-1973 through 2019-2020   Harvest Summary Table by Zone and Season, 2019-2020 (pdf, 105kb) Harvest Summary Table by Zone and Season, 2018-2019 (pdf, 65kb) Harvest Summary Table by Zone and Season, 2017-2018 (pdf, 65kb) Harvest Summary Table by Zone and Season, 2016-2017 (pdf, 78kb) Harvest Summary Table by Zone and Season, 2015-2016 (pdf, 80kb) Harvest Summary Table by Zone and Season, 2014-2015 (pdf, 35kb) Harvest Summary Table by Zone and Season, 2013-2014 (pdf, 19kb) Harvest Summary Table by Zone and Season, 2012-2013 (pdf, 19kb) Harvest Summary Table by Zone and Season, 2011-2012 (pdf, 16kb) Harvest Summary Table by Zone and Season, 2010-2011 (pdf, 17kb) Harvest Summary Table by Zone and Season, 2009-2010 (pdf, 20kb) Harvest Summary Table by Zone and Season, 2008-2009 (pdf, 20kb) Harvest Summary Table by Zone and Season, 2007-2008 (pdf, 17kb) Harvest Summary Table by Zone and Season, 2006-2007 (pdf, 17kb) Harvest Summary Table by Zone and Season, 2005-2006 (pdf, 17kb) Harvest Summary Table by Zone and Season, 2004-2005 (pdf, 10kb) Harvest Summary Table by Zone and Season, 2003-2004 (pdf, 10kb) Harvest Summary Table by Zone and Season, 2002-2003 Harvest Summary Table by Zone and Season, 2001-2002 Harvest Summary Table by Zone and Season, 2000-2001 Harvest Summary Table by Zone and Season, 1999-2000 Harvest Summary Table by Zone and Season, 1998-1999 Harvest Summary Table by Zone and Season, 1997-1998   Harvest Summary Table by County, 2015-2019 (pdf, 145kb) Harvest Summary Table by County, 2005-2015 (pdf, 19kb) Harvest Summary Table by County, 1995-2005 (pdf, 18kb)

Suburban Deer Management Community-Based Deer Management Community Based Deer Management Manual for Municipalities (pdf, 320kb) Deer Management Assistance Program An Evaluation of Deer Management Options - Northeast Deer Technical Committee, May, 2009 (pdf, 955kb) An Integrated Approach for Managing White-Tailed Deer in Suburban Environments (pdf, Cornell University Study, 2014) Deer Management Position Statement (Northeast Section of The Wildlife Society) Deer Health Information Biology of the White-tailed Deer Deer Fibromas (Warts) White Deer - Piebald and Albino Deer Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD) in New Jersey Mange in Deer Chronic Wasting Disease Information Urine-Based Deer Lures Advisory Guidance On Hunting Deer, Elk or Moose in States Where CWD is Present (Updated 12/21/18) General Deer Information White-tailed Deer - Natural History and Autumn Behavior Wildlife Populations: White-tailed Deer (pdf, Environmental Trends Report, NJDEP Division of Science and Research) Feeding Wild White-tailed Deer “Don’t Feed the Wildlife” (USDA Site) Wounding Rates of White-tailed Deer with Modern Archery Equipment (Southeast Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies)   Guidelines for Rating Deer Range and Condition in NJ Information on Lead in the Meat of Wild Game Bald Eagles and Lead: A Deadly Mix (pdf, 280kb) ADDITIONAL LINKS Farmer Info Hunters Helping the Hungry Deer Crash Reduction Program Office of Fish and Wildlife Health and Forensics Regulations Wildlife Management Areas Forms Feature Articles   back to top