Is deer season open in New Jersey?

New Jersey deer seasons 2026-27

New Jersey's Permit Shotgun deer season opens first Nov 23, 2026, and the dates vary by zone.

Special Area zones and zones not designated in a regulation set have their own rules that these dates do not cover, and the Permit Bow, Permit Muzzleloader and Permit Shotgun seasons also need a zone permit.

Sunday deer hunting is legal only in archery seasons, and only on wildlife management areas and private land.

• Fall Bow · Regulation Set High, Regulation Set MediumSep 12 to Oct 30
• Youth Archery Day · Regulation Set High, Regulation Set Medium, Regulation Set Low, Zones 45 and 46 · youth hunters accompanied by a licensed, non-hunting adult onlySep 26
• Fall Bow · Regulation Set Low, Zones 45 and 46Oct 3 to Oct 30
• Permit Bow · Regulation Set High, Regulation Set MediumOct 31 to Dec 24 · Dec 26 to Dec 31
• Permit Bow · Regulation Set LowOct 31 to Nov 29
• Youth Firearm Day · Regulation Set High, Regulation Set Medium, Regulation Set Low, Zones 45 and 46 · youth hunters accompanied by a licensed, non-hunting adult onlyNov 21
• Permit Muzzleloader · Regulation Set HighNov 23 to Nov 25 · Nov 27 · Nov 30 to Dec 1 · Dec 7 to Dec 12 · Dec 14 to Dec 24 · Dec 26 to Dec 31 · Jan 1 to Feb 20
• Permit Shotgun · Regulation Set HighNov 23 to Nov 25 · Nov 27 · Dec 7 to Dec 12 · Dec 14 to Dec 18 · Jan 1 to Feb 20

New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Fish & Wildlife. 2026-27 New Jersey Hunting & Trapping Digest: Deer Hunting Seasons (eRegulations), checked November 2026.