NJ Deer Hunting Regulations
2020/2021
Zones 7, 8, 9*, 10, 11, 12, 13*, 14, 15, 36, 41, 49, 50, 51
Deer Permits On Sale Monday, September 14 at 10:00 a.m.
SEE THE FOLLOWING LINK FOR DMZ REGULATION SET #8:
http://www.njfishandwildlife.com/deer.htm
http://www.njfishandwildlife.com/njregs.htm#hunting
Before heading to your hunting location please have the following information with you to make use of the AHRS easy, fast and accurate:
- Zone (DMZ)
- County
- Township
- Unit (DMU)
| Identifying this information will be easy with the online Deer Hunting Location Viewer. Just follow these steps:
|
It's that simple.
All deer hunters are encouraged to get familiar with this tool before going hunting, and to use it to obtain the information necessary to report a deer with the AHRS and help the Division in its deer management efforts.
This map is for reference only. All state-owned and county-owned open space shown is not necessarily open for hunting. Consult the property owner to see if any seasons are open. Federal and municipal open space is not included on this map.
The Automated Harvest Report System (AHRS) has replaced deer check stations. Every deer harvested must be reported either by calling the toll-free number 855-I-HUNT-NJ (855-448-6865 ), or via the division's license sales/harvest reporting website (http://www.nj.wildlifelicense.com/. The phone number and website are printed on every hunting license and deer permit.
IMPORTANT: Be prepared in advance of the hunting season! Follow these steps to easily and quickly report your harvest:
1. Before going hunting, know your NJ Conservation ID Number (CID#) and Harvest Number (found on every license stub or deer permit - click for example). Having location data for your hunting area(s), as below, will speed the AHRS process.2. For each location you plan on hunting, write down the Deer Management Zone (DMZ) you will be in. See the Deer Zone Map or the deer management zone boundary descriptions, to identify the zone if not certain. Hunters can also use the online Deer Hunting Location Viewer
3. Next write down the county, township and unit (Deer Management Unit, DMU) that corresponds to your hunting location for each property. To identify the county, township and unit, use the online Deer Hunting Location Viewer. Click and drag the map to center on your general location, and then zoom in on your DMZ to locate the property you hunt. Get the county, township and unit information which appears when you click on your location.
4. Other information the system will collect includes the date of harvest, season of harvest, type of firearm or bow used, gender of deer, antler points (if any), and land ownership (federal, state, county, municipal, or private) - the same data previously collected at deer check stations.
5. Use an index card, durable paper, your hunting license or the Deer Harvest Report Card (pdf, 200kb) to record your harvest(s).
Hunters may report a deer without the Deer Management Unit and township information. However, the DFW strongly requests that hunters make every effort to report this information as it is a valuable decision-making tool for developing deer management strategies and hunting season regulations. If this harvest information is determined after reporting a deer, please call the regional deer biologist listed below.
For each deer reported through the AHRS, hunters will receive a Confirmation Number as a permanent record for each deer. This number should be recorded in the space on your license or permit stub (click for example). Like the former metal possession seal, the Confirmation Number is unique to each deer harvested. This number should be retained as long as venison or any parts or mount of the deer remain in a hunter's possession.
If a deer is taken to a butcher or taxidermist, it should be labeled with its Confirmation Number. If transporting more than one deer, or while at a hunting camp with multiple deer, each deer should be labeled with its unique Confirmation Number to verify legal harvest.
For assistance with the AHRS please contact the biologist for the county the deer was harvested in:
Bergen, Essex, Hunterdon, Morris, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, Union and Warren counties:
Dan Roberts at 908-735-7040
Burlington, Monmouth, Mercer, Middlesex and Ocean counties:
Jodi Powers at 609-259-7954
Atlantic, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester and Salem counties:
Joe Leskie at 609-748-2065
NOTE: Upon request from a state conservation officer and within 48 hours after reporting a deer harvest, a hunter may be required to produce the head of the deer, or to direct a law enforcement officer to the butcher or taxidermist who has possession of the head.
YOUTH HUNTER INFORMATION
Youth hunters with a Youth Hunting License do not need a Harvest Number to report a deer harvested on Youth Hunting Days and non-permit seasons (all permits will have a Harvest Number). Youth hunters should utilize the Deer Harvest Report Card (pdf, 200kb) to record information about their hunting area information prior to hunting, and to record the Confirmation Number assigned upon reporting a deer via the AHRS.
