When does whitetail season open in New Jersey in 2026?

New Jersey's 2026 whitetail archery season opens September 12 and runs through October 2. Always confirm exact dates with the state wildlife agency before hunting.

What big-game species can you hunt in New Jersey?

In 2026, New Jersey has hunting seasons for whitetail.

How much is a New Jersey hunting license for nonresidents?

A firearm hunting license in New Jersey is $135.50 for nonresidents and $27.50 for residents.

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New Jersey Hunting Seasons & Prices

2026 big-game season dates and license/tag prices.

New Jersey offers 2026 hunting seasons for whitetail across archery, firearm, and muzzleloader methods. Seasons run from September 12, 2026 through February 20, 2027. A firearm hunting license costs $27.50 for residents and $135.50 for nonresidents.

Planning reference only — always confirm dates and prices with the state wildlife agency before applying, buying a license, or hunting.

Season dates

Whitetail

Season	Method	Opens	Closes	Notes	Track
Fall Bow (High, Medium zones)	Archery	Sep 12, 2026	Oct 2, 2026	High set (Zones 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 19, 36, 41, 42, 48, 49, 50, 51): Fall Bow - first deer must be antlerless, this segment runs through Oct 2, 2026. Medium set (Zones 2, 5, 6, 16, 25, 27, 28, 29, 31, 35, 47): Fall Bow - first deer must be antlerless, this segment runs through Oct 2, 2026. Segments are non-contiguous in some sets; see the NJDEP table for the full day-by-day pattern. Sunday deer hunting is legal only for archery seasons and only on WMAs and private property. Hunting hours are a half hour before sunrise to a half hour after sunset. Zones marked * require at least 3 antler points on one side.	🔔
Youth Archery Day	Archery	Sep 26, 2026	Sep 26, 2026	High set (Zones 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 19, 36, 41, 42, 48, 49, 50, 51): Youth Archery Day, this segment runs through Sept 26, 2026. Medium set (Zones 2, 5, 6, 16, 25, 27, 28, 29, 31, 35, 47): Youth Archery Day, this segment runs through Sept 26, 2026. Low set (Zones 1, 3, 4, 18, 21, 22, 23, 24, 26, 30, 34, 43, 45, 46, 55, 63, 65): Youth Archery Day, this segment runs through Sept 26, 2026. Segments are non-contiguous in some sets; see the NJDEP table for the full day-by-day pattern. Sunday deer hunting is legal only for archery seasons and only on WMAs and private property. Hunting hours are a half hour before sunrise to a half hour after sunset. Zones marked * require at least 3 antler points on one side.	🔔
Fall Bow	Archery	Oct 3, 2026	Oct 30, 2026	High set (Zones 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 19, 36, 41, 42, 48, 49, 50, 51): Fall Bow - antlered or antlerless, this segment runs through Oct 30, 2026. Medium set (Zones 2, 5, 6, 16, 25, 27, 28, 29, 31, 35, 47): Fall Bow - antlered or antlerless, this segment runs through Oct 30, 2026. Low set (Zones 1, 3, 4, 18, 21, 22, 23, 24, 26, 30, 34, 43, 45, 46, 55, 63, 65): Fall Bow - 2 deer, only one antlered, this segment runs through Oct 30, 2026. Segments are non-contiguous in some sets; see the NJDEP table for the full day-by-day pattern. Sunday deer hunting is legal only for archery seasons and only on WMAs and private property. Hunting hours are a half hour before sunrise to a half hour after sunset. Zones marked * require at least 3 antler points on one side.	🔔
Permit Bow	Archery	Oct 31, 2026	Dec 24, 2026	High set (Zones 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 19, 36, 41, 42, 48, 49, 50, 51): Permit Bow, this segment runs through Dec 24, 2026. Medium set (Zones 2, 5, 6, 16, 25, 27, 28, 29, 31, 35, 47): Permit Bow, this segment runs through Dec 24, 2026. Low set (Zones 1, 3, 4, 18, 21, 22, 23, 24, 26, 30, 34, 43, 45, 46, 55, 63, 65): Permit Bow - closed in Zones 45 and 46, this segment runs through Nov 29, 2026. Segments are non-contiguous in some sets; see the NJDEP table for the full day-by-day pattern. Sunday deer hunting is legal only for archery seasons and only on WMAs and private property. Hunting hours are a half hour before sunrise to a half hour after sunset. Zones marked * require at least 3 antler points on one side.	🔔
Youth Firearm Day	Firearm	Nov 21, 2026	Nov 21, 2026	High set (Zones 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 19, 36, 41, 42, 48, 49, 50, 51): Youth Firearm Day, this segment runs through Nov 21, 2026. Medium set (Zones 2, 5, 6, 16, 25, 27, 28, 29, 31, 35, 47): Youth Firearm Day, this segment runs through Nov 21, 2026. Low set (Zones 1, 3, 4, 18, 21, 22, 23, 24, 26, 30, 34, 43, 45, 46, 55, 63, 65): Youth Firearm Day, this segment runs through Nov 21, 2026. Segments are non-contiguous in some sets; see the NJDEP table for the full day-by-day pattern. Sunday deer hunting is legal only for archery seasons and only on WMAs and private property. Hunting hours are a half hour before sunrise to a half hour after sunset. Zones marked * require at least 3 antler points on one side.	🔔
Permit Shotgun (High zones)	Firearm	Nov 23, 2026	Nov 25, 2026	High set (Zones 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 19, 36, 41, 42, 48, 49, 50, 51): Permit Shotgun - antlerless only, this segment runs through Nov 25, 2026. Segments are non-contiguous in some sets; see the NJDEP table for the full day-by-day pattern. Sunday deer hunting is legal only for archery seasons and only on WMAs and private property. Hunting hours are a half hour before sunrise to a half hour after sunset. Zones marked * require at least 3 antler points on one side.	🔔
Permit Muzzleloader (High zones)	Muzzleloader	Nov 23, 2026	Nov 25, 2026	High set (Zones 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 19, 36, 41, 42, 48, 49, 50, 51): Permit Muzzleloader - antlerless only, this segment runs through Nov 25, 2026. Segments are non-contiguous in some sets; see the NJDEP table for the full day-by-day pattern. Sunday deer hunting is legal only for archery seasons and only on WMAs and private property. Hunting hours are a half hour before sunrise to a half hour after sunset. Zones marked * require at least 3 antler points on one side.	🔔
Permit Shotgun (High zones)	Firearm	Nov 27, 2026	Nov 27, 2026	High set (Zones 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 19, 36, 41, 42, 48, 49, 50, 51): Permit Shotgun - antlerless only, this segment runs through Nov 27, 2026. Segments are non-contiguous in some sets; see the NJDEP table for the full day-by-day pattern. Sunday deer hunting is legal only for archery seasons and only on WMAs and private property. Hunting hours are a half hour before sunrise to a half hour after sunset. Zones marked * require at least 3 antler points on one side.	🔔
Permit Muzzleloader (High zones)	Muzzleloader	Nov 27, 2026	Nov 27, 2026	High set (Zones 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 19, 36, 41, 42, 48, 49, 50, 51): Permit Muzzleloader - antlerless only, this segment runs through Nov 27, 2026. Segments are non-contiguous in some sets; see the NJDEP table for the full day-by-day pattern. Sunday deer hunting is legal only for archery seasons and only on WMAs and private property. Hunting hours are a half hour before sunrise to a half hour after sunset. Zones marked * require at least 3 antler points on one side.	🔔
Permit Muzzleloader	Muzzleloader	Nov 30, 2026	Dec 1, 2026	High set (Zones 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 19, 36, 41, 42, 48, 49, 50, 51): Permit Muzzleloader - either sex, this segment runs through Dec 1, 2026. Medium set (Zones 2, 5, 6, 16, 25, 27, 28, 29, 31, 35, 47): Permit Muzzleloader, this segment runs through Dec 1, 2026. Low set (Zones 1, 3, 4, 18, 21, 22, 23, 24, 26, 30, 34, 43, 45, 46, 55, 63, 65): Permit Muzzleloader - closed in Zones 45 and 46, this segment runs through Dec 1, 2026. Segments are non-contiguous in some sets; see the NJDEP table for the full day-by-day pattern. Sunday deer hunting is legal only for archery seasons and only on WMAs and private property. Hunting hours are a half hour before sunrise to a half hour after sunset. Zones marked * require at least 3 antler points on one side.	🔔
Permit Shotgun / Six-Day Firearm	Firearm	Dec 7, 2026	Dec 12, 2026	High set (Zones 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 19, 36, 41, 42, 48, 49, 50, 51): Six-Day Firearm, this segment runs through Dec 12, 2026. High set (Zones 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 19, 36, 41, 42, 48, 49, 50, 51): Permit Shotgun - antlerless only, this segment runs through Dec 12, 2026. Medium set (Zones 2, 5, 6, 16, 25, 27, 28, 29, 31, 35, 47): Six-Day Firearm, this segment runs through Dec 12, 2026. Low set (Zones 1, 3, 4, 18, 21, 22, 23, 24, 26, 30, 34, 43, 45, 46, 55, 63, 65): Six-Day Firearm, this segment runs through Dec 12, 2026. Segments are non-contiguous in some sets; see the NJDEP table for the full day-by-day pattern. Sunday deer hunting is legal only for archery seasons and only on WMAs and private property. Hunting hours are a half hour before sunrise to a half hour after sunset. Zones marked * require at least 3 antler points on one side.	🔔
Permit Muzzleloader (High zones)	Muzzleloader	Dec 7, 2026	Dec 12, 2026	High set (Zones 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 19, 36, 41, 42, 48, 49, 50, 51): Permit Muzzleloader - antlerless only, this segment runs through Dec 12, 2026. Segments are non-contiguous in some sets; see the NJDEP table for the full day-by-day pattern. Sunday deer hunting is legal only for archery seasons and only on WMAs and private property. Hunting hours are a half hour before sunrise to a half hour after sunset. Zones marked * require at least 3 antler points on one side.	🔔
Permit Shotgun (High, Medium zones)	Firearm	Dec 14, 2026	Dec 18, 2026	High set (Zones 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 19, 36, 41, 42, 48, 49, 50, 51): Permit Shotgun - either sex, this segment runs through Dec 18, 2026. Medium set (Zones 2, 5, 6, 16, 25, 27, 28, 29, 31, 35, 47): Permit Shotgun, this segment runs through Dec 18, 2026. Segments are non-contiguous in some sets; see the NJDEP table for the full day-by-day pattern. Sunday deer hunting is legal only for archery seasons and only on WMAs and private property. Hunting hours are a half hour before sunrise to a half hour after sunset. Zones marked * require at least 3 antler points on one side.	🔔
Permit Muzzleloader	Muzzleloader	Dec 14, 2026	Dec 24, 2026	High set (Zones 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 19, 36, 41, 42, 48, 49, 50, 51): Permit Muzzleloader - either sex, this segment runs through Dec 24, 2026. Medium set (Zones 2, 5, 6, 16, 25, 27, 28, 29, 31, 35, 47): Permit Muzzleloader, this segment runs through Dec 24, 2026. Low set (Zones 1, 3, 4, 18, 21, 22, 23, 24, 26, 30, 34, 43, 45, 46, 55, 63, 65): Permit Muzzleloader - closed in Zones 45 and 46, this segment runs through Dec 15, 2026. Segments are non-contiguous in some sets; see the NJDEP table for the full day-by-day pattern. Sunday deer hunting is legal only for archery seasons and only on WMAs and private property. Hunting hours are a half hour before sunrise to a half hour after sunset. Zones marked * require at least 3 antler points on one side.	🔔
Permit Shotgun (Low zones)	Firearm	Dec 16, 2026	Dec 18, 2026	Low set (Zones 1, 3, 4, 18, 21, 22, 23, 24, 26, 30, 34, 43, 45, 46, 55, 63, 65): Permit Shotgun - closed in Zones 45 and 46, this segment runs through Dec 18, 2026. Segments are non-contiguous in some sets; see the NJDEP table for the full day-by-day pattern. Sunday deer hunting is legal only for archery seasons and only on WMAs and private property. Hunting hours are a half hour before sunrise to a half hour after sunset. Zones marked * require at least 3 antler points on one side.	🔔
Permit Muzzleloader (Low zones)	Muzzleloader	Dec 19, 2026	Dec 24, 2026	Low set (Zones 1, 3, 4, 18, 21, 22, 23, 24, 26, 30, 34, 43, 45, 46, 55, 63, 65): Permit Muzzleloader - closed in Zones 45 and 46, this segment runs through Dec 24, 2026. Segments are non-contiguous in some sets; see the NJDEP table for the full day-by-day pattern. Sunday deer hunting is legal only for archery seasons and only on WMAs and private property. Hunting hours are a half hour before sunrise to a half hour after sunset. Zones marked * require at least 3 antler points on one side.	🔔
Permit Bow (High, Medium zones)	Archery	Dec 26, 2026	Dec 31, 2026	High set (Zones 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 19, 36, 41, 42, 48, 49, 50, 51): Permit Bow, this segment runs through Dec 31, 2026. Medium set (Zones 2, 5, 6, 16, 25, 27, 28, 29, 31, 35, 47): Permit Bow, this segment runs through Dec 31, 2026. Segments are non-contiguous in some sets; see the NJDEP table for the full day-by-day pattern. Sunday deer hunting is legal only for archery seasons and only on WMAs and private property. Hunting hours are a half hour before sunrise to a half hour after sunset. Zones marked * require at least 3 antler points on one side.	🔔
Permit Muzzleloader	Muzzleloader	Dec 26, 2026	Dec 31, 2026	High set (Zones 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 19, 36, 41, 42, 48, 49, 50, 51): Permit Muzzleloader - either sex, this segment runs through Dec 31, 2026. Medium set (Zones 2, 5, 6, 16, 25, 27, 28, 29, 31, 35, 47): Permit Muzzleloader, this segment runs through Dec 31, 2026. Low set (Zones 1, 3, 4, 18, 21, 22, 23, 24, 26, 30, 34, 43, 45, 46, 55, 63, 65): Permit Muzzleloader - closed in Zones 45 and 46, this segment runs through Dec 31, 2026. Segments are non-contiguous in some sets; see the NJDEP table for the full day-by-day pattern. Sunday deer hunting is legal only for archery seasons and only on WMAs and private property. Hunting hours are a half hour before sunrise to a half hour after sunset. Zones marked * require at least 3 antler points on one side.	🔔
Winter Bow	Archery	Jan 1, 2027	Feb 20, 2027	High set (Zones 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 19, 36, 41, 42, 48, 49, 50, 51): Winter Bow, this segment runs through Feb 20, 2027. Medium set (Zones 2, 5, 6, 16, 25, 27, 28, 29, 31, 35, 47): Winter Bow, this segment runs through Jan 31, 2027. Low set (Zones 1, 3, 4, 18, 21, 22, 23, 24, 26, 30, 34, 43, 45, 46, 55, 63, 65): Winter Bow, this segment runs through Jan 31, 2027. Segments are non-contiguous in some sets; see the NJDEP table for the full day-by-day pattern. Sunday deer hunting is legal only for archery seasons and only on WMAs and private property. Hunting hours are a half hour before sunrise to a half hour after sunset. Zones marked * require at least 3 antler points on one side.	🔔
Permit Shotgun (High, Medium zones)	Firearm	Jan 1, 2027	Feb 20, 2027	High set (Zones 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 19, 36, 41, 42, 48, 49, 50, 51): Permit Shotgun - either sex, this segment runs through Feb 20, 2027. Medium set (Zones 2, 5, 6, 16, 25, 27, 28, 29, 31, 35, 47): Permit Shotgun, this segment runs through Jan 16, 2027. Segments are non-contiguous in some sets; see the NJDEP table for the full day-by-day pattern. Sunday deer hunting is legal only for archery seasons and only on WMAs and private property. Hunting hours are a half hour before sunrise to a half hour after sunset. Zones marked * require at least 3 antler points on one side.	🔔
Permit Muzzleloader	Muzzleloader	Jan 1, 2027	Feb 20, 2027	High set (Zones 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 19, 36, 41, 42, 48, 49, 50, 51): Permit Muzzleloader - either sex, this segment runs through Feb 20, 2027. Medium set (Zones 2, 5, 6, 16, 25, 27, 28, 29, 31, 35, 47): Permit Muzzleloader, this segment runs through Jan 9, 2027. Low set (Zones 1, 3, 4, 18, 21, 22, 23, 24, 26, 30, 34, 43, 45, 46, 55, 63, 65): Permit Muzzleloader - closed in Zones 45 and 46, this segment runs through Jan 9, 2027. Segments are non-contiguous in some sets; see the NJDEP table for the full day-by-day pattern. Sunday deer hunting is legal only for archery seasons and only on WMAs and private property. Hunting hours are a half hour before sunrise to a half hour after sunset. Zones marked * require at least 3 antler points on one side.	🔔

License & tag prices

License	Resident	Nonresident
Firearm Hunting License	$27.50	$135.50
Bow Hunting License	$31.50	$135.50
Deer Permit (single zone)	$28	$28
Multi-zone (DRS) Deer Permit	$56	$56

New Jersey bans rifles for deer — shotgun slugs, muzzleloaders, and archery only. A firearm or bow license plus zone deer permits is required. Season dates for 2026-27 are added here once NJ Fish & Wildlife publishes them.

Source: NJ Division of Fish & Wildlife license, permit & fee schedule (nj.gov/njfw)

New Jersey hunt units

Explore harvest history, success rates, and draw odds by unit.

DMZ 1 Whitetail DMZ 10 Whitetail DMZ 11 Whitetail DMZ 12 Whitetail DMZ 13 Whitetail DMZ 14 Whitetail DMZ 15 Whitetail DMZ 16 Whitetail DMZ 17 Whitetail DMZ 18 Whitetail DMZ 19 Whitetail DMZ 2 Whitetail

Browse all New Jersey harvest data →

New Jersey hunting FAQ

When does whitetail season open in New Jersey in 2026?: New Jersey's 2026 whitetail archery season opens September 12 and runs through October 2. Always confirm exact dates with the state wildlife agency before hunting.
What big-game species can you hunt in New Jersey?: In 2026, New Jersey has hunting seasons for whitetail.
How much is a New Jersey hunting license for nonresidents?: A firearm hunting license in New Jersey is $135.50 for nonresidents and $27.50 for residents.