Public Hunting Land in New Jersey
New Jersey may be densely populated, but it offers over 750,000 acres of land open to public hunting across forests, wetlands, and coastal plains. With healthy populations of whitetail deer, turkey, waterfowl, and small game, the Garden State provides surprisingly strong access for public land hunters.
Types of Public Land Available in New Jersey:
Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs): Managed by the New Jersey Division of Fish & Wildlife, these areas make up the bulk of public hunting opportunities.
State Parks & Forests: Many state lands allow hunting in designated zones and during specific seasons.
National Wildlife Refuges: Some allow hunting by permit, particularly for waterfowl and deer.
Private Land Access Programs: The state supports cooperative management areas and private land hunting by written permission.
Seasons & Access Info
New Jersey hunting is managed by zones and species. All hunters must have a valid license, and certain seasons (e.g., permit bow, muzzleloader, bear) require additional tags or draws.
Key Resources:
Pro Tip: New Jersey’s early season bow hunts provide excellent chances at whitetails with minimal hunting pressure — especially in WMAs near suburban edges.
Explore New Jersey Hunting Access
Use the tools below to scout WMAs, view hunting zones, and download area-specific regulations:
From salt marsh waterfowl blinds to inland bowhunting stands, New Jersey’s public lands offer reliable and accessible hunting for sportsmen throughout the state.