Take a Kid Hunting

Deer, Waterfowl, and Turkey Youth Hunt Days

Take this great opportunity to introduce youths to hunting!

All youth hunters must have a valid youth firearm or bow and arrow hunting license corresponding to the season hunted. See Youth Licenses.

• Supervision: The youth hunter MUST be under the direct supervision of a person who is at least 21 years old and who has a valid firearm or bow and arrow license corresponding to the season hunted. Direct supervision is defined as both the youth hunter and the adult mentoring hunter set up together at the same location, hunting as a unit, not hunting independently. The adult does not need a zone or area permit to supervise, only their valid license. The adult CANNOT hunt on any youth days but may call for the youth. Youth hunters do not need a harvest number to report harvests during youth hunts or non-permit deer seasons.

For additional harvest reporting requirements, see Deer Regulations.

WMA Youth Pheasant Hunt Days

Oct. 31 and Nov. 2–6 Rain or Shine!

All youth hunters must have a valid youth hunting license. See Youth Licenses.

The NJDEP Fish & Wildlife's R3 Hunting & Shooting Sports and Hunter Education Program's Take a Kid Annual Pheasant Hunt will allow properly licensed and supervised youth hunters (see table, above) to hunt 7 of the 10 stocked wildlife management areas (WMAs) the morning of Saturday, Oct. 31.

In a cooperative effort between the NJDEP Fish & Wildlife and the New Jersey State Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs, volunteer hunting mentors with trained bird dogs will mentor youth hunters on the Saturday, Oct. 31 morning pheasant hunt. This experience will increase the young hunters’ opportunity for harvesting a pheasant in a setting which encourages responsible and safe hunting practices.

All mentored morning hunt participants must pre-register and be accompanied by a parent or guardian. All pre-registered hunters will receive an information packet via email prior to the event. One mentored hunt session will be offered, starting at 7 a.m.

A limited number of youth hunters will be allowed on each WMA during the mentored morning hunts. To register, go to dep.nj.gov/njfw/hunting/youth-pheasant-hunt-registration-form/ and select one WMA where you wish to hunt. For each WMA, when registration reaches capacity, the WMA will disappear from the online registration and the youth will need to select one of the remaining options. Priority will be given to first time participants. Register early; spaces fill quickly!

Youth hunter online registration for the Oct. 31 mentored youth hunt opens Sept. 1 and closes Oct. 15. Late registrations will not be accepted. Pheasant hunt information will be emailed to registered youth hunters. Please email [email protected] with any questions.

Semi-wild Preserves Youth Upland Bird Hunt Day

Saturday, October 31, 2026

All youth hunters must have a valid youth hunting license. See Youth Licenses.

Properly licensed and supervised youth hunters are permitted to hunt on licensed semi-wild hunting preserves for pheasant, quail and/or partridge on Saturday, October 31 from 8 a.m. to sunset. Take advantage of this great opportunity for hunters belonging to semi-wild preserves to ­introduce youth hunters to upland bird hunting without competition from adult hunters who may not hunt on this day.