New Jersey's deer herd is a major component of the landscape throughout all but the most urbanized areas of the state. Deer affect our forests, farms, gardens, backyards and roadways. From a population reduced to a handful of deer in the early 1900s they rebounded during the 20th Century to a thriving herd today. A healthy deer herd, managed at levels that are compatible with current land use practices and the human population, has great value to the people of the state. Deer are photographed, watched and hunted by many New Jerseyans and visitors from elsewhere. Deer hunters spend more than 100 million dollars each year as they enjoy approximately 1.5 million recreation-days hunting deer. Money spent in the course of deer hunting benefits a wide variety of New Jersey businesses. And for hunters looking for a place to hunt, New Jersey offers more than 750,000 acres of public land (state, federal, county and municipal) available to the deer hunter. Visit the Public Deer Hunting Land page for a breakdown of state Wildlife Management Areas, state parks and state forests by Deer Management Zone. The page also has links for maps and information on hunting land.

The "Take a Kid Hunting" program provides unique opportunities. Click photo to enlarge.

New Jersey produces some quality deer, including on public land! Click to enlarge Courtesy Craig Lemon

2016-2017 Deer Hunting Information Fall Bow (Early Zones Only, Regulation Sets #4-8), September 10 Youth Deer Bow Hunt, September 24 Fall Bow, October 1 (Statewide) Permit Bow Season, October 29 Youth Deer Firearm Hunt, November 19 Six-day Firearm Season, December 5-10 Winter Bow, January 1, 2017   2016-2017 Deer Regulation Sets (pdf, 75kb) Deer Regulation Set Reference Chart and Zone Map Deer Management Zone Descriptions Deer Management Zone Descriptions (pdf, 110kb)   Deer Permit Information Public Deer Hunting Land     Reporting a Deer - Automated Harvest Report System (AHRS) Deer Hunting Location Viewer Deer Harvest Report Card (for recording information prior to using the AHRS and tagging harvested deer, pdf, 120kb)

New Jersey Deer Showcase

	Outstanding White-tailed Deer Program
	Garden State Deer Classic

Deer Harvest Data Comprehensive Harvest Summary Table, 1972-1973 through 2015-2016   Harvest Summary Table by Zone and Season, 2015-2016 (pdf, 80kb) Harvest Summary Table by Zone and Season, 2014-2015 (pdf, 35kb) Harvest Summary Table by Zone and Season, 2013-2014 (pdf, 19kb) Harvest Summary Table by Zone and Season, 2012-2013 (pdf, 19kb) Harvest Summary Table by Zone and Season, 2011-2012 (pdf,16kb) Harvest Summary Table by Zone and Season, 2010-2011 (pdf, 17kb) Harvest Summary Table by Zone and Season, 2009-2010 (pdf, 20kb) Harvest Summary Table by Zone and Season, 2008-2009 (pdf, 20kb) Harvest Summary Table by Zone and Season, 2007-2008 (pdf, 17kb) Harvest Summary Table by Zone and Season, 2006-2007 (pdf, 17kb) Harvest Summary Table by Zone and Season, 2005-2006 (pdf, 17kb) Harvest Summary Table by Zone and Season, 2004-2005 (pdf, 10kb) Harvest Summary Table by Zone and Season, 2003-2004 (pdf, 10kb) Harvest Summary Table by Zone and Season, 2002-2003 Harvest Summary Table by Zone and Season, 2001-2002 Harvest Summary Table by Zone and Season, 2000-2001 Harvest Summary Table by Zone and Season, 1999-2000 Harvest Summary Table by Zone and Season, 1998-1999 Harvest Summary Table by Zone and Season, 1997-1998   Harvest Summary Table by County, 2015-2016 (pdf, 75kb) Harvest Summary Table by County, 2005-2015 (pdf, 19kb) Harvest Summary Table by County, 1995-2005 (pdf, 18kb)   Age Data from 'Tooth Ring' Analysis

Suburban Deer Management Community-Based Deer Management Community Based Deer Management Manual for Municipalities (pdf, 320kb) Deer Management Assistance Program An Evaluation of Deer Management Options - Northeast Deer Technical Committee, May, 2009 (pdf, 955kb) An Integrated Approach for Managing White-Tailed Deer in Suburban Environments (pdf, Cornell University Study, 2014) Deer Management Position Statement (Northeast Section of The Wildlife Society) Deer Health Information Biology of the White-tailed Deer Deer Fibromas (Warts) White Deer - Piebald and Albino Deer Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD) in New Jersey Chronic Wasting Disease Information Urine-Based Deer Lures Advisory Guidance On Hunting Deer, Elk or Moose in States Where CWD is Present General Deer Information White-tailed Deer - Natural History and Autumn Behavior Feeding Wild White-tailed Deer “Don’t Feed Wildlife” (USDA Site) Antler Point Restriction (APR) Survey Results APR Data Summary from April 2010 Deer Hunter Forums (pdf, 156kb) Forum APR PowerPoint Presentation (pdf, 533kb) 2010 Bowhunter Survey Results   Guidelines for Rating Deer Range and Condition in NJ Information on Lead in the Meat of Wild Game ADDITIONAL LINKS Farmer Info Hunters Helping the Hungry North Jersey Deer Vehicle Crash Coalition Office of Fish and Wildlife Health and Forensics Regulations Wildlife Management Areas Forms Feature Articles   back to top