September 4, 2020
The Division reminds bow hunters the 2020 New Jersey Fall Bow Deer Season opens on Saturday, September 12 in certain zones. After the early opener, the statewide season kicks off on Saturday, October 3 and runs through October 30. Permit Bow Season then opens October 31; permits for all permit seasons (and Fall Turkey and Bear) go on sale September 14 online and at license agents.
Bow Season Reminders
The Automated Harvest Report System (AHRS) is used to report deer during all deer hunting seasons. More information about the system is found on the AHRS page and on page 30 in the 2020 NJ Hunting & Trapping Digest (due out later this month at this URL. Current deer regulations are available on the Regulations page.
Hunters are reminded of the requirement to report complete harvest location information. In addition to zone and county, township and unit information is particularly important. Hunters are urged to have this information available before going to their hunting location to speed the reporting process when they access the AHRS, whether by phone or online.
The Deer Hunting Location Viewer enables hunters to pinpoint their hunting location, providing them with zone, county, township and unit information.
Complete harvest location information is very important when determining changes to deer hunting regulations. Hunters are asked to make every effort to have this data BEFORE going into the field. Completing portions of the Deer Hunting Report Card before heading out, and then using it to tag the deer (required) can simplify the "paperwork" aspect of the hunt.
Sunday bow hunting is allowed on state Wildlife Management Areas and on private property ONLY. It is extremely important that hunters know the boundary lines of the property they are hunting.
Public Lands: New Jersey has more than 750,000 acres of public lands open for deer hunting. A current listing of lands specifically identified for deer hunting can be found here. Maps of WMAs are also available and can be viewed here.
Hunters do need to be aware of Safety Zone restrictions regardless of their hunting location (see page 89 of the Digest or the Safety Zone Information Flyer.
Young hunters will have their own special day again as the popular Youth Bow Hunt is scheduled for Saturday, September 26. Information on deer hunting in New Jersey including season dates, bag limits, regulations, and past seasons summaries can be found in the Digest and on the Fish and Wildlife Deer page.
