The Outstanding White-tailed Deer Program, jointly sponsored by the Division of Fish and Wildlife, the New Jersey State Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs, the New Jersey Outdoor Alliance Conservation Foundation and the United Bowhunters of New Jersey, is designed to recognize the quality of the state's deer resource and the sportsmen and women who hunt for them.

The program was initiated in 1964 and includes categories for the largest deer taken (based on field dressed weight) and finest antler development. In 2014 a Youth Division with eased entry requirements was added to the program. Awards are given for the most recent season's top scorers at the annual Deer Classic.

Antler categories are subdivided into typical and non-typical configurations. The minimum eligible score is 125 0/8 for typical muzzleloader, bow, crossbow and shotgun entries. The minimum eligible score is 135 0/8 for non-typical muzzleloader, bow and shotgun entries. Youth Division minimum scores are reduced by 10 points in all antler categories.

Weight categories for the heaviest deer taken are also subdivided: bucks 200 lbs. and above taken by shotgun, bow, crossbow and muzzleloader, and does 135 lbs. and above taken by shotgun, bow, crossbow and muzzleloader. Youth Division minimums are reduced by 10 and 20 pounds for doe and buck, respectively. Does may be weighed on a certifed scale or at a division regional office, however, bucks must be weighed on a certified scale.

All antlered deer are scored using the Boone and Crockett Club system that gives credit to antler length, spread, number of points and symmetry. Age, health, genetics and nutrition are the major factors contributing to deer reaching trophy status.

All-time Top 10 Deer - All Categories (Through the 2014-15 seasons; entries in green are new Top 10 All Time Deer harvested during the 2014-15 hunting seasons.) (pdf, 38kb, updated 2/19/16)

For information about entering the program see the Entering the Outstanding White-tailed Deer Program page. To receive a registration form and information by mail, please request the specific application form(s) needed: typical, non-typical, 200 pound, or 135 doe. Send a self-addressed, business-size stamped ($0.70) envelope to:

Outstanding Deer Program
NJ Div. of Fish & Wildlife
Mail Code 501-03
PO Box 420
Trenton, NJ 08625-0420

Youth Division
The Outstanding Deer Program Youth Division is for hunters ages 10–16 with entry requirements reduced by 10 points (inches) for all Antler categories and a reduction in the Weight categories by 10 or 20 pounds for doe and buck, respectively. For the Antler Category, Youth Division deer may be unofficially scored by our trained volunteers who need not be an official measurer.