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New Jersey

Hunting

Hunting

Deer Permits

Deer Permit Information

Farmer deer permit information is detailed in Farmer Hunting & Permit Information. Farmers purchasing non-farmer permits should also read this deer season permit section, below.

Purchasing requirements and procedure see License Information.

  • A permit is required to hunt during the Permit Bow, Permit Muzzleloader, and Permit Shotgun deer seasons.
  • The zone-specific deer permit is valid only for antlerless deer in the season specified. Hunters are limited to purchasing one antlerless permit per zone per permit season.
  • Deer Regulation Set (DRS) Multi-Zone Antlerless Permit. This season-specific, regulation set-specific, antlerless permit is available for Regulation Sets 7 OR 8 only and allows the hunter to hunt antlerless deer within any of zones in the Regulation Set and season specified. See DRS Multi-Zone Permits section below.
  • Only one Antlered Buck Permit per permit season may be purchased (i.e., one Antlered Buck Bow Permit, one Antlered Buck Shotgun Permit, and one Antlered Buck Muzzleloader Permit). Buck permits are valid in any zone for which the hunter has a valid antlerless zone-specific permit or DRS Multi-Zone Permit. Buck permits must be purchased by specific dates; see Deer Hunting Regulations for important buck permit rules.
  • Regardless of the number of zone-specific antlerless permits in possession, hunters are limited to taking ONLY one buck during each of the permit seasons ONLY after first purchasing a Buck Permit for that season.
  • Deer permits are valid for the duration of the specified zone’s permit season, including when that season extends into the 2024 calendar year, and are non-transferable and non-refundable.
  • Muzzleloader season permits are not valid unless accompanied by a valid Rifle Permit while hunting.
  • It is illegal to use a permit for a zone, season or hunter other than those named on the permit. Deer permit violations are subject to a fine of $100–$1,000 for each offense.
  • The cost per permit [Antlerless (zone-specific) Deer Permit or Antlered Buck Permit] is $28 for adults and $12 for youths; the cost for a DRS Multi-Zone Permit is $56 for adults and $24 for Youths.
  • Permits are available online at NJFishandWildlife.com/licensesalessite.htm or at license agents (see Where to Buy Your License & Permits section in License Information). Special Areas deer permit information is as listed under each Special Area; see Deer Special Areas Information. Special Areas include federal military installations, certain state and county parks, and national wildlife refuges. Special Area zones include: 37, 38, 39, 53, 54, 61, 64, 66, 67, and 68.

Buying a Permit at a License Agent

  • Hours of operation and types of payment accepted vary according to license agent. Be prepared.
  • To purchase a permit a hunter must present their valid, current year’s hunting license.
  • A person may purchase a permit for an absent hunter only when the following conditions are met:
    1. The absent hunter has already completed a Child Support Certification (see License Information) online or at a license agent and
    2. The buyer shows the absent hunter’s valid hunting license and identifying information (date of birth and Conservation ID Number or Social Security Number). License photocopies not accepted.
  • The hunter is responsible to know in what zone and season he or she wants to hunt.
  • Hunters are urged to review their permit before leaving the license agent.
  • Once a permit fee is paid and the buyer leaves the store, there will be no returns, exchanges, or refunds. No exceptions.
  • Permits purchased online will print as PDF documents. Hunters may use those afield or may purchase duplicates printed on durable material. If purchased, the duplicate durable license copy will arrive in 7–10 business days. Additional fees apply.

Deer Regulation Set (DRS) Multi-Zone Permit for Deer Reg Sets 7 OR 8

Regulation Set 7 Deer Management Zones: 7, 8, 9, 12, 17, 41

Regulation Set 8 Deer Management Zones: 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, 36, 49, 50, 51

Map of Deer Regulation Sets 7 and 8

DRS (Deer Regulation Set) Multi-Zone Permits are currently available for Regulation Set 7 OR Regulation Set 8. While they are separate permits, you can purchase both and have access to 15 zones for the season you select! Hunters can purchase a DRS Permit for each of the permit seasons: Permit Bow, Permit Shotgun and Permit Muzzleloader. For your DRS Permit, pick the Regulation Set you want to hunt (either for Regulation Set 7 OR Regulation Set 8) then pick the permit season you want to hunt. For $56 ($24 for youths) you can now hunt any zone within your chosen Regulation Set for that specific season!

For example, if you normally hunt Zone 9 (Reg Set 7) during the Permit Bow season, with a DRS Multi-Zone Bow Permit, you can now hunt antlerless deer during the Permit Bow season in any or all of the zones within Regulation Set 7. (Zones 7, 8, 9, 12, 17 and 41) That’s access to 6 zones for the price of 2!

Perks of the DRS Permit:

  • Multiple zones for the price of 2
  • Try new hunting locations within one regulation set at a reduced cost
  • All zones within Regulation Sets 7 and 8 have an unlimited antlerless bag limit

Buck permits are still required to pursue or take an antlered deer. Buck permits remain unchanged and are valid for use with any zone-specific season antlerless permit or a Multi-Zone Regulation Set Permit. Only one buck may be taken per season regardless of the number of zones hunted.

The purchase of a DRS Multi-Zone Permit is optional — hunters may still choose to purchase a single zone permit for $28.

See Deer Hunting Zone Map for Deer Zone Map for Map App and Zone Boundary Descriptions link.

ALL Deer Permit Sales

Sales for all Deer Permits begin at 10 a.m. on MONDAY, Sept. 11, 2023 and continue until each season ends. Some permit seasons run through Feb. 10, 2024. Permit sales include those for Permit Bow, Permit Muzzleloader and Permit Shotgun seasons plus Antlered Buck Permits. See deer regulation tables in Deer Hunting Seasons. Buck permits must be purchased by specific deadlines; see Deer Hunting Regulations for important buck permit rules.

Warning to Violators

Be advised: Two violations of wildlife management area regulations will result in loss of all sporting licenses and privileges for a period of five years.