Outstanding Deer Program

New Jersey’s Outstanding White-tailed Deer Program, initiated in 1964, includes categories for typical and non-typical antlered deer taken with bow, crossbow, shotgun and muzzleloading rifle, in addition to the weight categories listed below. A velvet category is added for early bow season deer.

In the Antlered Division, New Jersey’s Outstanding Deer Program uses the most common system in North America used for rating antlers as developed by the Boone and Crockett Club. This scoring system gives credit to antler length, spread, number of points, massiveness and symmetry. This measurement system also is used by the Pope & Young Club’s Bowhunting Big Game Records Program. Deer must have been taken under the Boone and Crockett-defined rules of fair chase. Deer taken from enclosed hunting lands are not eligible. Note: It is best to have the rack measured before it is mounted. Don’t wait!

In the Weight Division, the program recognizes exceptional body size as determined by the field dressed weight, including heart and liver removed. Two categories, one for bucks reaching or exceeding 200 pounds (proof of weight must be confirmed on a certified scale* for buck entries—no truck scales**—with the weighmaster’s signature on a letterhead receipt or on the entry form, available on our website) and one for field dressed does reaching or exceeding 135 pounds (witnessed, non-certified scale at a Fish and Wildlife regional office or at a certified scale).

Any properly licensed hunter, regardless of residency, is eligible to enter the Outstanding Deer Program. Deer must be taken in accordance with New Jersey wildlife laws and regulations. Applications are due Nov. 1—NO EXCEPTIONS. Additional rules are included on the official application form which consists of the original score sheet, hunter information form plus a clear photo of the hunter with the deer. These forms with instructions are available on Fish and Wildlife’s website NJFishandWildlife.com/outdeer.htm or send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to: NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife, Outstanding Deer Program, MC 501-03, P.O. Box 420, Trenton, NJ 08625-0420. State the type of form (Antlered Division, typical or non-typical; Weight Division, 200 Pound Buck or 135 Pound Doe). There is no entry fee.

All qualified entries will be added to New Jersey’s All Time List. For questions, call Cindy Kuenstner at (609) 633-7598.

Qualifying entries for deer taken during the previous hunting seasons are displayed and recognized at the annual Garden State Deer Classic. Join Fish and Wildlife in celebrating New Jersey’s outstanding white-tailed deer at the Deer Classic in January at the Garden State Outdoor Sportsmen’s Show.

The table to the right is a list of the top-scoring deer and the hunters who participated in the 2012 Garden State Deer Classic. The Classic showcased the outstanding deer taken during the 2010–11 deer hunting seasons, not the past 2011–12 hunting seasons. Those deer will be honored at the January 2013 Deer Classic.

* See entry form. A certified scale might be available at the following businesses: Warehouse with shipping department; Concrete, sand and gravel company; Junk yard or scrap metal recycler; Marina with party and charter boat fishing

Visit our website for a partial list of certified scales or contact your county weights and measures office. Be sure to locate a scale before the hunting season begins!

** A truck scale is not acceptable as the increments are too large.

Regulations in red are new this year.

Purple text indicates an important note.