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New Jersey Whitetail Seasons
These dates represent the “general” season dates. Check the individual hunting unit regulations for the most accurate season dates and regulations.
Fall Bow Archery
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Sept 13-Oct 3: Must take ONE antlerless deer first before pursuing antlered buck (except youth). Oct 4-31: First deer can be either sex. Sunday hunting only on WMAs and private property.
Day Archery
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Youth hunters
Must be accompanied by licensed, non-hunting adult. Earn-A-Buck and Antler Point Restriction regulations do not apply.
Permit Bow Archery
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Nov 1-Dec 24, Dec 26-31. Buck permit required for antlered deer. Only 1 buck permitted. Varies by zone.
Day Firearm
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Rifle · Youth hunters
Must be accompanied by licensed/permitted, non-hunting adult. Antler Point Restriction does not apply.
Permit Muzzleloader
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Antlerless only periods and either sex periods vary by zone. Buck permit required for antlered deer.
Permit Shotgun
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Antlerless only periods and either sex periods vary by zone. Buck permit required for antlered deer. Buck permit void if 2 antlered deer harvested during Six-day season.
Six-day Firearm
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Rifle
2 antlered deer only. Only 1 buck at a time may be taken. If 2 bucks harvested, buck bag limit for Permit Shotgun Season becomes zero.
Winter Bow Archery
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Varies by zone. Some zones end Jan 31.
New Jersey Whitetail Licenses
Other Licenses
| License | Availability | Eligibility | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult Antlered Buck Permit Bow | OTC | Ages 16+ | $28.00 |
Valid in any zone for which hunter has an antlerless zone-specific permit or DRS Multi-Zone Permit. | |||
| Adult Deer Permit Bow | OTC | Ages 16+ | $28.00 |
Antlerless, zone-specific permits valid only in specified Deer Management Zone and season duration. | |||
| Adult DRS Multi-Zone Permit Bow | OTC | Ages 16+ | $56.00 |
Antlerless, valid for all zones within Regulation Set 7 OR 8 for duration of specified season. | |||
| Antlered Buck Permit | OTCOpens September 8, 2025 | — | $28.00 |
One per permit season. Valid in any zone with valid antlerless permit. Must be purchased by specific deadlines. Required to take antlered deer. | |||
| Antlered Buck Permit - Youth | OTCOpens September 8, 2025 | Youth hunters | $12.00 |
One per permit season. Valid in any zone with valid antlerless permit. Must be purchased by specific deadlines. Required to take antlered deer. | |||
| Antlerless Deer Permit (Zone-Specific) | OTCOpens September 8, 2025 | — | $28.00 |
Valid only for antlerless deer in specified zone and season. One permit per zone per season. Sales begin 10 a.m. Sept 8, 2025. | |||
| Antlerless Deer Permit (Zone-Specific) - Youth | OTCOpens September 8, 2025 | Youth hunters | $12.00 |
Valid only for antlerless deer in specified zone and season. One permit per zone per season. Sales begin 10 a.m. Sept 8, 2025. | |||
| Deer Road-kill Permit | OTC | — | $0.00 |
Free permit from police or Fish & Wildlife office. Valid 90 days for meat only, antlers prohibited. | |||
| DRS Multi-Zone Permit - Regulation Set 7 | OTCOpens September 8, 2025 | — | $56.00 |
Valid for antlerless deer in zones 7, 8, 9, 12, 17, 41. Season-specific permit. Unlimited antlerless bag limit in all zones. | |||
| DRS Multi-Zone Permit - Regulation Set 7 - Youth | OTCOpens September 8, 2025 | Youth hunters | $24.00 |
Valid for antlerless deer in zones 7, 8, 9, 12, 17, 41. Season-specific permit. Unlimited antlerless bag limit in all zones. | |||
| DRS Multi-Zone Permit - Regulation Set 8 | OTCOpens September 8, 2025 | — | $56.00 |
Valid for antlerless deer in zones 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, 36, 49, 50, 51. Season-specific permit. Unlimited antlerless bag limit in all zones. | |||
| DRS Multi-Zone Permit - Regulation Set 8 - Youth | OTCOpens September 8, 2025 | Youth hunters | $24.00 |
Valid for antlerless deer in zones 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, 36, 49, 50, 51. Season-specific permit. Unlimited antlerless bag limit in all zones. | |||
| Farmer Deer Permit - Non-Occupant Antlered Buck | OTCJune 1, 2025 – August 31, 2025 | Landowner | $0.00 |
Free permit for non-occupant farmers. Valid for any zone where farmer has antlerless zone-specific permit for the season. Cannot claim if already purchased regular Antlered Buck Permit. Requires valid hunting license. Available starting Monday, Sept. 8, 2025 at 10 a.m. | |||
| Farmer Deer Permit - Non-Occupant Antlerless Bow | OTCJune 1, 2025 – August 31, 2025 | Landowner | $0.00 |
Free permit for non-occupant farmers. Must actively till at least 30 acres tax-assessed as farmland. Up to 5 people may qualify. Valid only on private land within designated deer management zone. Requires valid hunting license. Available starting Monday, Sept. 8, 2025 at 10 a.m. | |||
| Farmer Deer Permit - Non-Occupant Antlerless Muzzleloader | OTCJune 1, 2025 – August 31, 2025 | Landowner | $0.00 |
Free permit for non-occupant farmers. Must actively till at least 30 acres tax-assessed as farmland. Up to 5 people may qualify. Valid only on private land within designated deer management zone. Requires valid hunting license. Available starting Monday, Sept. 8, 2025 at 10 a.m. | |||
| Farmer Deer Permit - Non-Occupant Antlerless Shotgun | OTCJune 1, 2025 – August 31, 2025 | Landowner | $0.00 |
Free permit for non-occupant farmers. Must actively till at least 30 acres tax-assessed as farmland. Up to 5 people may qualify. Valid only on private land within designated deer management zone. Requires valid hunting license. Available starting Monday, Sept. 8, 2025 at 10 a.m. | |||
| Farmer Deer Permit - Occupant Antlered Buck | OTCJune 1, 2025 – August 31, 2025 | Landowner | $0.00 |
Free permit for occupant farmers. Valid for any zone where farmer has antlerless zone-specific permit for the season. Cannot claim if already purchased regular Antlered Buck Permit. Available starting Monday, Sept. 8, 2025 at 10 a.m. | |||
| Farmer Deer Permit - Occupant Antlerless Bow | OTCJune 1, 2025 – August 31, 2025 | Landowner | $0.00 |
Free permit for occupant farmers. Valid only on farm property where applicant resides. Must be owner, lessee or immediate family residing on farm. Land must be at least 5 acres, tax assessed as farmland. Available starting Monday, Sept. 8, 2025 at 10 a.m. | |||
| Farmer Deer Permit - Occupant Antlerless Muzzleloader | OTCJune 1, 2025 – August 31, 2025 | Landowner | $0.00 |
Free permit for occupant farmers. Valid only on farm property where applicant resides. Must be owner, lessee or immediate family residing on farm. Land must be at least 5 acres, tax assessed as farmland. Available starting Monday, Sept. 8, 2025 at 10 a.m. | |||
| Farmer Deer Permit - Occupant Antlerless Shotgun | OTCJune 1, 2025 – August 31, 2025 | Landowner | $0.00 |
Free permit for occupant farmers. Valid only on farm property where applicant resides. Must be owner, lessee or immediate family residing on farm. Land must be at least 5 acres, tax assessed as farmland. Available starting Monday, Sept. 8, 2025 at 10 a.m. | |||
| Youth Antlered Buck Permit Bow | OTC | Ages 10–16; Youth hunters | $12.00 |
Valid in any zone for which hunter has an antlerless zone-specific permit or DRS Multi-Zone Permit. | |||
| Youth Deer Permit Bow | OTC | Ages 10–16; Youth hunters | $12.00 |
Antlerless, zone-specific permits valid only in specified Deer Management Zone and season duration. | |||
| Youth DRS Multi-Zone Permit Bow | OTC | Ages 10–16; Youth hunters | $24.00 |
Antlerless, valid for all zones within Regulation Set 7 OR 8 for duration of specified season. | |||
