Guidelines for Rating Deer Range and Condition in NJ

New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife

Guidelines for Rating Deer Range and Condition in N.J.

Each year data is collected by agency biologists at deer check stations. This data is used to determine the quality of deer habitat and the condition of deer populations in the various Deer Management Zones. This information is then used in the allocation of permits and other deer management strategies.

Condition rating
Field dressed weight (lbs.)

Yearling antler beam diameter (mm)

Yearling males

Yearling females

Male fawns

Female fawns

Below standard
Under 80

Under 70

Under 50

Under 45

Less than 15.0

Standard
Between 80 and 90

Between 70 and 80

Between 50 and 55

Between 45 and 50

Between 15.0 and 17.0

Above standard
Between 90 and 100

Between 80 and 90

Between 55 and 60

Between 50 and 55

Between 17.0 and 19.0

Substantially above standard
Over 100

Over 90

Over 60

Over 55

Over 19.0

Condition rating	Field dressed weight (lbs.)				Yearling antler beam diameter (mm)
Condition rating	Yearling males	Yearling females	Male fawns	Female fawns	Yearling antler beam diameter (mm)
Below standard	Under 80	Under 70	Under 50	Under 45	Less than 15.0
Standard	Between 80 and 90	Between 70 and 80	Between 50 and 55	Between 45 and 50	Between 15.0 and 17.0
Above standard	Between 90 and 100	Between 80 and 90	Between 55 and 60	Between 50 and 55	Between 17.0 and 19.0
Substantially above standard	Over 100	Over 90	Over 60	Over 55	Over 19.0