WMA Shooting Ranges

Wildlife Management Area (WMA) Ranges

• All WMA regulations apply.
• All ranges, with the exception of the Black River range, are open 8 a.m. to sunset.
• At least one member of the shooting party must have a current, valid New Jersey hunting license in possession. Apprentice Firearm Licensees must be accompanied by a holder of a regular, current and valid NJ firearm hunting license, over the age of 21.
• Shotgun range: fine shot only. No buckshot or rifled slugs.
• Archery range: target tips only. No broadheads are to be shot into archery backstops provided by NJDEP Fish & Wildlife. Broadheads may be used only with user-supplied bag, foam, 3-D or hay targets.
• Centerfire Rifle Range: muzzleloading firearms, shotguns (rifled slug, buckshot), modern rimfire rifles ( .17 and .22 caliber) and air guns in calibers legal for hunting in New Jersey are allowed and centerfire rifles up to and including .30 caliber. No other firearms allowed.
• Muzzleloader range: muzzleloading firearms, shotguns (rifled slug, buckshot), ­modern rimfire rifles ( .17 and .22 caliber) and air guns in calibers legal for hunting in New Jersey are allowed.
• No handguns are allowed on NJDEP Fish & Wildlife ranges. Centerfire rifles are permitted at the Flatbrook, Clinton, Colliers Mills, Stafford Forge and Millville ranges only.

Range-specific Restrictions

Northern Region

Morris County

Black River WMA

• Shotgun: Closed weekends from the third Saturday in May through the Sunday of Labor Day weekend, as well as on Christmas and Easter. Operating hours are 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. during this summer period, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. for the rest of the year. Hunter Education classes are not affected by range hours.

Central Region

Monmouth County

Assunpink WMA

• Shotgun range is restricted to the use of non-toxic shot; no lead shot is allowed.

  Turkey Swamp Park

Georgia Rd., Freehold Twp.

• Archery (Special regulations apply; call 732-842-4000.)

Statewide Centerfire Rifle Range Rules (Includes Makepeace Lake):

• All target frames must measure a minimum 30 inches from base to bottom of the paper target held in the frame. Frames must be placed only on top of a target mound located at the 25-yard increments at the range. This minimum target height requirement eliminates the risk of ricochet to ensure all projectiles are collected in the final berm.