Deer Hunting Seasons

Name: eRegulations
Price range: $

Archery Deer Seasons 2025–26
Sunday deer hunting ONLY legal for Archery deer seasons and only on WMAs and private property. Hunting hours: half hour before sunrise to half hour after sunset. NOTE: only ONE antlered buck per season per hunter is allowed. Special Area Zones 37, 38, 39, 53, 54, 61, 64, 66, 67, and 68. * Any antlered deer taken in zones marked with an asterisk must have at least 3 antler points on one side of rack.
Season	Regulation Set		Zones	Dates	Bag Limits	Additional Information
Fall Bow	7	8	7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 36, 41, 49, 50, 51	Sept. 13–Oct. 3, 2025: Must take ONE Antlerless Deer FIRST before pursuing an Antlered Buck (Does not apply to Youth License Holders) Oct. 4–Oct. 31, 2025: First deer can be of either sex	Unlimited antlerless and 1 antlered (2 deer may be taken at a time)	Deer MUST be tagged immediately. All harvests must be reported by 8 p.m. on day of harvest. Deer must be reported prior to pursuing additional deer, except in zones where it is legal to take two deer at a time.
	6		5, 19, 25, 42, 48		9 antlerless and 1 antlered (2 deer may be taken at a time)
	5		2, 16, 27, 28, 29, 31, 35, 47		5 antlerless and 1 antlered
	4		6		Unlimited antlerless and 1 antlered
	3		30, 55, 63, 65	Oct. 4–Oct. 31, 2025	2 antlerless OR 1 antlerless and 1 antlered
	2		1, 3*, 4, 18, 22, 26		1 antlerless and 1 antlered
	0		21, 23, 24, 34*, 43, 45, 46		1 deer only (may be either sex)
Youth Day Archery	ALL		ALL Zones Listed in Fall Bow above	Sept. 27, 2025	1 deer only (may be either sex)	Must be accompanied by licensed, non-hunting adult. Earn-A-Buck and Antler Point Restriction regulations DO NOT apply. (See Take A Kid Hunting for details.)
Permit Bow	8		10, 11, 13*, 14, 15, 36, 49, 50, 51	Nov. 1–Dec. 24, Dec. 26–Dec. 31, 2025	Unlimited antlerless and 1 antlered (2 deer may be taken at a time)	To harvest an antlered deer, a Buck Permit - Bow is also required. Buck Permit is valid in any zone for which hunter has a zone-specific Archery Permit or DRS Multi-Zone Permit. Only 1 buck is permitted. Deer MUST be tagged immediately. All harvests must be reported by 7 p.m. on day of harvest. Deer must be reported prior to pursuing additional deer, except in zones where it is legal to take two deer at a time.
	7		7, 8, 9*, 12, 17, 41		Unlimited antlerless and 1 antlered (2 deer may be taken at a time)
	6		5, 19, 25, 42, 48		9 antlerless and 1 antlered (2 deer may be taken at a time)
	5		2, 16, 27, 28, 29, 31, 35, 47		5 antlerless and 1 antlered
	4		6		Unlimited antlerless and 1 antlered
	3		30, 55, 63, 65	Nov. 1–Nov. 30, 2025	2 antlerless OR 1 antlerless and 1 antlered
	2		1, 3*, 4, 18, 22, 26		1 antlerless and 1 antlered
	0		21, 23, 24, 34*, 43	Nov. 1–Nov. 22, 2025	1 deer only (can be either sex)
Winter Bow	7	8	7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 36, 41, 49, 50, 51	Jan. 1–Feb. 21, 2026	Unlimited antlerless and 1 antlered (2 deer may be taken at a time)	Deer MUST be tagged immediately. All harvests must be reported by 7 p.m. on day of harvest. Deer must be reported prior to pursuing additional deer, except in zones where it is legal to take two deer at a time.
	6		5, 19, 25, 42, 48	Jan. 1–Jan. 31, 2026	9 antlerless and 1 antlered (2 deer may be taken at a time)
	5		2, 16, 27, 28, 29, 31, 35, 47		5 antlerless and 1 antlered
	4		6		Unlimited antlerless and 1 antlered
	3		30, 55, 63, 65		2 antlerless OR 1 antlerless and 1 antlered
	2		1, 3*, 4, 18, 22, 26		1 antlerless and 1 antlered
	0		21, 23, 24, 34*, 43		1 deer only (can be either sex)

Firearm Deer Seasons 2025–26
No Sunday Hunting for deer during any firearm season. Hunting hours: half hour before sunrise to half hour after sunset. Coyote and fox may be harvested incidently while hunting for deer during firearm seasons except for Youth Day. Special Area Zones 37, 38, 39, 53, 54, 61, 64, 66, 67, and 68. * Any antlered deer taken in zones marked with an asterisk must have at least 3 antler points on one side of rack.
Season	Regulation Set		Zones	Dates	Bag Limits	Additional Information
Youth Day Firearm	ALL		ALL Zones Listed Below	Nov. 22, 2025 (See Take A Kid Hunting for details.)	1 deer only (can be either sex)	Must be accompanied by licensed/permitted, non-hunting adult. Antler Point Restriction regulation DOES NOT apply. (See Take A Kid Hunting for details.)
Permit Muzzleloader	8		10, 11, 13*, 14, 15, 36, 49, 50, 51	Antlerless Only: Nov. 24–26, 28, and Dec. 8–13, 2025 Either Sex: Dec. 1–2; Dec. 15, 16, 20–24, 26–31, 2025; Jan. 1–Feb. 14, 2026	Unlimited antlerless and 1 antlered (2 deer may be taken at a time)	To harvest an antlered deer, a Buck Permit — Muzzleloader is also required. Buck Permit is valid in any zone for which hunter has a zone-specific Muzzleloader Permit. Only 1 buck is permitted. Deer MUST be tagged immediately and reported by 7 p.m. on day harvested. Any coyote harvested must be reported by 8 p.m. Reporting of gray fox harvests requested. Deer harvest must be reported prior to pursuing additional deer, except in zones where it is legal to take two deer at a time.
	7		7, 8, 9*, 12, 17, 41	Antlerless Only: Dec. 8–13, 2025 Either Sex: Dec. 1–2; Dec. 15, 16, 20–24, 26–31, 2025; Jan. 1–Feb. 14, 2026
	6		5, 19, 25, 42, 48	Dec. 1–2; Dec. 15, 16, 20–24, 26–31, 2025; Jan. 1–31, 2026	9 antlerless deer and 1 antlered (2 deer may be taken at a time)
	5		2, 16, 27, 28, 29, 31, 35, 47	Dec. 1–2; Dec. 15, 16, 20–24, 26–31, 2025; Jan. 1–10, 2026	5 antlerless and 1 antlered
	3	4	6, 30, 55, 63, 65		2 antlerless OR 1 antlerless and 1 antlered
	2		1, 3*, 4, 18, 22, 26	Dec. 1–2; Dec. 15, 16, 20–24, 26–31, 2025;	1 antlerless and 1 antlered
	0		21, 23, 24, 34*, 43	Dec. 1–2; Dec. 20, 22–24, 26–31, 2025	1 deer only (can be either sex)
Permit Shotgun	8		10, 11, 13*, 14, 15, 36, 49, 50, 51	Antlerless Only: Nov. 24–26, 28 and Dec. 8–13, 2025 Either Sex: Dec. 17–19, 2025; Jan. 3–Feb. 14, 2026	Unlimited antlerless and 1 antlered (2 deer may be taken at a time)	To harvest an antlered deer, a Buck Permit — Shotgun is also required. Buck Permit is valid in any zone for which hunter has a zone-specific Shotgun Permit. Only 1 buck is permitted, see exception below. Note: Shotgun Buck Permit becomes VOID if 2 antlered deer were harvested during Six-day Firearm Season. Deer MUST be tagged immediately and reported by 7 p.m. on day harvested. Any coyote harvested must be reported by 8 p.m. Reporting of gray fox harvests requested. Deer harvest must be reported prior to pursuing additional deer, except in zones where it is legal to take two deer at a time.
	7		7, 8, 9*, 12, 17, 41	Antlerless Only: Dec. 8–13, 2025 Either Sex: Dec. 17–19, 2025; Jan. 3–Feb. 14, 2026
	6		5, 19, 25, 42, 48	Dec. 17–19, 2025; Jan. 3–31, 2026	9 antlerless and 1 antlered (2 deer may be taken at a time)
	5		2, 16, 27, 28, 29, 31, 35, 47	Dec. 17–19, 2025; Jan. 10–17, 2026	5 antlerless and 1 antlered
	3	4	6, 30, 55, 63, 65	Dec. 17–19, 2025	2 antlerless OR 1 antlerless and 1 antlered
	0	2	1, 3, 4, 18, 21, 22, 23, 24, 26, 34, 43		1 deer only (can be either sex)
Six-day Firearm	ALL		ALL zones listed above	Dec. 8–13, 2025	2 antlered deer Only 1 buck at a time may be taken. Once harvest of first antlered deer is reported, the hunter may pursue a second antlered deer.	NOTE: If 2 bucks are harvested, the buck bag limit for the Permit Shotgun Season becomes ZERO. Deer MUST be tagged immediately and reported by 7 p.m. on day harvested. Any coyote harvested must be reported by 8 p.m. Reporting of gray fox harvests requested.

For detailed deer management zone boundary descriptions, go to our website at dep.nj.gov/njfw/hunting/deer-management-zone-descriptions/

NOTE: Map is for reference only. Use a county map while following zone boundary descriptions or see Hunting & Trapping Explorer at NJFishandWildlife.com/hunt.

2025–26 NJ Deer Season Regulation Sets Reference Chart
Zone	For seasons and bag limits, see tables above	Zone	For seasons and bag limits, see tables above.
1	Regulation Set # 2	36	Regulation Set # 8
2	Regulation Set # 5	37	Special Area Hunting Season
3	Regulation Set # 2	38	Special Area Hunting Season
4	Regulation Set # 2	39	Special Area Hunting Season
5	Regulation Set # 6	40	Zone is not designated
6	Regulation Set # 4	41	Regulation Set # 7
7	Regulation Set # 7	42	Regulation Set # 6
8	Regulation Set # 7	43	Regulation Set # 0
9	Regulation Set # 7	44	Zone is not designated
10	Regulation Set # 8	45	Regulation Set # 0
11	Regulation Set # 8	46	Regulation Set # 0
12	Regulation Set # 7	47	Regulation Set # 5
13	Regulation Set # 8	48	Regulation Set # 6
14	Regulation Set # 8	49	Regulation Set # 8
15	Regulation Set # 8	50	Regulation Set # 8
16	Regulation Set # 5	51	Regulation Set # 8
17	Regulation Set # 7	52	Zone is not designated
18	Regulation Set # 2	53	Special Area Hunting Season
19	Regulation Set # 6	54	Special Area Hunting Season
20	Zone is not designated	55	Regulation Set # 3
21	Regulation Set # 0	56*	Zone is not designated
22	Regulation Set # 2	57*	Zone is not designated
23	Regulation Set # 0	58*	Zone is not designated
24	Regulation Set # 0	59	Zone is not designated
25	Regulation Set # 6	60	Zone is not designated
26	Regulation Set # 2	61	Special Area Hunting Season
27	Regulation Set # 5	62	Zone is not designated
28	Regulation Set # 5	63	Regulation Set # 3
29	Regulation Set # 5	64	Special Area Hunting Season
30	Regulation Set # 3	65	Regulation Set # 3
31	Regulation Set # 5	66	Special Area Hunting Season
32	Zone is not designated	67	Special Area Hunting Season
33	Zone is not designated	68	Special Area Hunting Season
34	Regulation Set # 0	70*	Zone is not designated
35	Regulation Set # 5
* Formerly designated as a Special Area under the Edwin B. Forsythe NWR.

Hunters Helping the Hungry

Hunters Helping the Hungry, an organization that has enabled hunters to provide over two million servings of tasty and nutritious venison to feed New Jersey families since 1997, needs some help from the public to cover the costs of professional meat processing.

The program, which donated 24,486 pounds of venison (113,944 servings from 867 hunter-provided deer) to food banks and charitable organizations last year alone, operates with limited funding. Butchers who participate in the Hunters Helping the Hungry program receive $100 to process the donated deer. Due to recommendations from our friends at the NJ Farm Bureau working with the NJ Dept. of Agriculture, HHH was awarded a grant that allows us to waive the hunter's portion of the processing fees for hunter-donated deer weighing 50 lbs. or more (dressed hanging weight), and will continue to allow us to waive the hunter's portion of hunter-donated deer weighing 50 lbs. or more in the 2025-26 season. The hunter's fee for deer weighing under 50 lbs. (dressed hanging weight) is $50.

Hunters should check on funding availability before harvesting a deer intended for donation by visiting the website below.

Anyone interested in making a charitable contribution to offset the program’s meat-processing costs can visit our website at HuntersHelpingTheHungry.org to donate securely through PayPal or send a check payable to:

Hunters Helping the Hungry
P.O. Box 587
Lebanon, NJ
08833

Participating Butchers Include (listed north to south):

Sussex County

Newton High School, Newton
(973) 383-7573 x243 Call first for instructions

Hunterdon County

Game Butchers
The Person Family, Lebanon (908) 735-4646
Hunterdon Deer Butcher (908) 797-2315
51 Old Franklin School Rd., Pittstown
Bishop’s Market
Whitehouse Station (908) 534-9666
V. Roche & Son, LLC Meat Processing
9 High St., Whitehouse Station (908) 534-2006

Mercer County

The Valley Butcher
Pennington (609) 947-2235

Salem County

The Buck Stop, (856) 794-1281
989 Alvine Rd., Pittsgrove

Camden County

Bringhurst Fine Meats/Catering
Berlin (856) 767-0110

We are always looking for butchers to participate in our program, so please contact us through the website HuntersHelpingtheHungry.org. Also check our website, as the list of butchers may change periodically.

Butchers may not accept donated deer during the Six-day Firearm Buck Season, decided by individual butchers on a day-to-day basis, so they can accommodate their regular customers. Hunters should contact the butcher in advance.

For upcoming fundraising events such as sporting clay shoots, a golf outing, and a 3-D archery shoot, visit HuntersHelpingtheHungry.org

United Bowhunters of New Jersey Membership Application

New Jersey State Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs Annual Convention and Sportsmen's Jamboree

June 6-7, 2026

*Convention and Jamboree to be held at: Hudson Farm Club, Andover, NJ

Saturday, June 6, and Sunday, June 7, 2026, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Come see NJ's most outstanding deer from 2024–25 and everything for the outdoor enthusiast.

Join us for science-based wildlife management and hunting/fishing/trapping-related presentations and interactive discussions.

This 2-day event is co-hosted by the New Jersey State Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs, Inc., and its affiliates.

For details, go to www.njsfsc.org

New Jersey State Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs Membership Application