Legal shooting hours
One-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset.
Agency source agency
NEW JERSEY RUT AND SEASON DATA
When is the rut in New Jersey?
New Jersey has published rut timing at region precision. The source method is Fetal aging of fetuses from harvested New Jersey does.. Examples: New Jersey northern counties: Nov 3 to Nov 23; New Jersey southern counties: Nov 10 to Nov 20. Source: the agency publication linked on this page.
agency
Published rut units
PARTIAL: northern and southern windows documented; central-county window not stated on the checked agency pages.
| Unit | Peak window | Method | Source | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Jersey northern counties | Nov 3 to Nov 23 | conception_fetal | Agency source | Verify with your state agency |
| New Jersey central counties | No published peak window | conception_fetal | Agency source | Verify with your state agency |
| New Jersey southern counties | Nov 10 to Nov 20 | conception_fetal | Agency source | Verify with your state agency |
Whitetail presence
White-tailed deer occur throughout all but the most urbanized areas of New Jersey.
Presence source agency
2026-27 deer seasons
| Season | Zone or scope | Dates | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall, permit and winter bow | high | Sep 12, 2026 to Feb 20, 2027 | Agency guide |
| Fall, permit and winter bow | medium | Sep 12, 2026 to Jan 31, 2027 | Agency guide |
| Fall, permit and winter bow | low | Oct 3, 2026 to Jan 31, 2027 | Agency guide |
| Permit muzzleloader | high | Nov 23, 2026 to Feb 20, 2027 | Agency guide |
| Permit muzzleloader | medium | Nov 30, 2026 to Jan 9, 2027 | Agency guide |
| Permit muzzleloader | low | Nov 30, 2026 to Jan 9, 2027 | Agency guide |
| Six-day firearm and permit shotgun | high | Dec 7, 2026 to Feb 20, 2027 | Agency guide |
| Six-day firearm and permit shotgun | medium | Dec 7, 2026 to Jan 16, 2027 | Agency guide |
| Six-day firearm and permit shotgun | low | Dec 7, 2026 to Jan 31, 2027 | Agency guide |
| Youth deer days | Statewide youth archery and youth firearm days | Sep 26, 2026 to Nov 21, 2026 | Agency guide |
Legal light, bag limits, and calls
Bag limits
Antlered maximum: 7. The annual buck bag limit is 7 antlered deer.
Bag-limit source agency
Electronic deer calls
It is unlawful to hunt deer with the aid of an electronic calling device.
Call-rule source law
Official guide links
Questions about New Jersey
When is the rut in New Jersey?
New Jersey has published rut timing at region precision. The source method is Fetal aging of fetuses from harvested New Jersey does.. Examples: New Jersey northern counties: Nov 3 to Nov 23; New Jersey southern counties: Nov 10 to Nov 20. Source: the agency publication linked on this page.
What are the 2026-27 deer seasons in New Jersey?
The table above lists the season rows present in Hockline's local data. Verify rows marked for agency confirmation.
Are electronic deer calls legal in New Jersey?
It is unlawful to hunt deer with the aid of an electronic calling device.