New Jersey Deer Hunting Season

New Jersey one of the many states where the natives love to deer hunt. The fall season entices thousands of deer hunters to flock to the woods in search of their prize buck. Here is everything you will need to know about deer hunting in New Jersey.

Acceptable Hunting Methods in New Jersey

In New Jersey, hunters may utilize several different methods in hunt of their prize deer. If you are interested in hunting during the early season, you can hunt using archery. Some hunters in the Garden
State prefer to use a bow and arrow or a crossbow. The reason for using these puts them in touch with old fashioned hunting methods and a warrior style, as well as the new crossbows have a large following. There are numerous advantages to hunting in the early season using archery. New Jersey has muzzleloader season and also an open season when riffles may be used. While there are many methods for hunting, deer hunting with riffles seems to be the most popular way to catch the famous white tail deer. Using a deer stand is advisable when capturing the native white tails and will assist in New Jersey deer hunting.

Deer Season and Permits Needed

To hunt legally in the state of New Jersey, you will need to have a valid license. To obtain a license you must have taken a hunting training course and be at least 10 years old. Youth under the age of 16 can obtain their license and hunt for free. Those who have lived in the Garden state for at least six month can obtain a resident license, but all others must use a non-resident license. It is $27.50 for a resident looking to be able to use all hunting methods. Those coming into New Jersey will have to pay $135.50 to hunt in the over 750,000 acres of lush green forests.

The entire state abides by the same seasonal regulations. Early season is from Oct. 27–Nov. 24, 2012. During this period bows are the only acceptable hunting method. Muzzleloader season comes in on Nov. 26, and runs through the 27. Other permitted dates for muzzleloaders are Dec. 10, 11, 15 -24, 26 -31. Shotgun season is Dec. 3–8 followed by another bow season from January 1-31st.

Important Laws

Deer hunting in New Jersey is permitted ½ hours before sunrise and ½ hour after sunset. Even with a license, it is unlawful to shoot a deer on a Sunday with a firearm, but bows are acceptable. New Jersey participates in the online deer harvesting reporting. After a deer is harvested, a hunter has to be turned in within three days to the New Jersey Wildlife. During muzzleloader and archery times, the limit for deer is one with antlers and one antlerless. During gun season, there is a limit of 2 antlered deer.

Hunting Locations

There are a vast amount of places to hunt in New Jersey. The state has more than 750,000 acres of land that is available to all hunters. Private property may also be hunted, as long as the owner is okay with deer being harvested on their property. New Jersey has great statistics for being a superior place to go in search of the perfect deer. The best resource for finding information about New Jersey’s hunting permits and great locations is to visit their website at: http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/deer.htm.