navigation bar
   
njdep  
  New Jersey Division of Fish & Wildlife New Jersey Division of Fish & Wildlife
 
njdep home f&w home

NJ Hunting & Trapping Licenses

VISIT OUR ONLINE LICENSE SITE

Speed Your Transaction by Having Your Customer Record (CID#) Up to Date
NOTE: Anyone needing assistance with the License Web Site should e-mail njwebmaster@als-xtn.com or call 1-888-773-8450. Detailed information on the Integrated Electronic Licensing System (IELS) is available on the main License Information page.

A valid license is required to hunt or trap in New Jersey and a person must be a minimum of 10 years of age to have one issued (see Farmer Exceptions). Licenses and stamps can be purchased at license agents located throughout the state, or online. There is no fee for Youth Licenses (ages 10 - 16) which expire on Dec. 31 of the year the youth turns 16.

NJ licenses are for the calendar year and expire on December 31 regardless of when purchased. Deer permits are valid into the following year if a season extends into it, but the current year's license is required. Waterfowl stamps are for the July 1 - June 30 period.

A previous year's resident license (from NJ or other state) or nonresident NJ license, or hunter education certificate must be presented to purchase a license if a record of one is not already in the license database. If neither is available a duplicate hunter education certificate can usually be obtained. Duplicate licenses for the current year are also available.

NJ Child Support Certification Information
License purchasers are required to complete the NJ Child Support Certification process. See the NJ Child Support Certification Requirement Information page for details, or go directly to the License Web Site where you can complete the process.

Agents who are using the online system can enter your identifying information and see that you are certified already. (Those purchasing a license or permit on-line will automatically be brought to the certification page if necessary.)

LICENSE INFORMATION

Resident Licenses
It is unlawful for any person to obtain a resident license unless they have actually lived in this state for 6 months immediately prior to the time of application.

Licenses for Servicemen and Women
A person who is on active duty in the armed services of the United States is entitled to hunt with a resident license.

Non-Resident Licenses
Non-residents must show either a resident license from their state or proof of successfully completing an appropriate hunter education course in order to obtain a license to hunt or trap in New Jersey. See the Non-resident Hunting Information page for more information and a link to the Non-resident License Documentation page.

Youth Licenses
Properly licensed youth hunters (resident & non-resident) aged 10–13 may hunt only when accompanied by a properly licensed adult aged 21 or older. Youths, 15 years of age and under, are able to hunt and trap for free, provided they have passed a Hunter Education course. Youth Licenses are valid from time of issuance until end of the year the holder turns 16. More information is available on the Youth License page.

Licenses for Non-Resident Active Duty Service Personnel
Any person on active duty in the armed services may buy a resident hunting license upon presenting a previous resident license(from this or any other state) of the appropriate type or proof of successfully completing the appropriate hunter education course to the agent.

Licenses for National Guard Members
Eligible NJ National Guard personnel are entitled to free licenses, permits and stamps. Further information can be obtained by writing to: NJ Department of Military/Veteran Affairs, 101 Eggert Crossing Rd., Lawrenceville, NJ 08648, or call 609-530-6866.

Veterans with a Service-connected Disability
Resident NJ veterans with a service-connected disability are eligible for free licenses. See the Disabled Veteran License Information page for details.

Special One-Day License
A one-day license may be issued for hunting on a licensed commercial shooting preserve. This license may be obtained at the shooting preserve and is valid only on the day issued for the species covered by the preserve’s license. Hunter Education requirements still apply.

Farmer License Exemption
A farmer and the immediate members of the family who also reside on the farm may hunt, trap and fish on the farm without being licensed or possessing a valid rifle permit (a farm is defined as an area of at least 5 acres and having gross income of at least $500, and tax assessed as farmland).

This exemption does not apply to a tenant or employee who is not an immediate family member.

Deer, Turkey and Beaver/Otter Permit Information

Rifle Permit
A valid rifle permit is required for coyote, deer, squirrel and woodchuck hunting with a muzzleloading rifle; raccoon and opossum hunting with a .22 caliber rifle; and for dispatching trapped animals other than muskrat with a .22 caliber rifle. Initial rifle permit applicants must be at least 10 years old and have successfully completed a rifle Hunter Education course. Rifle permits for 10 to 17 years olds will be valid only for muzzleloaders. No persons under 18 years old may hunt with centerfire or rimfire rifles. Rifle permits are valid from July 1 - June 30. A current rifle permit is required to purchase muzzloader deer permits.

Pheasant and Quail Stamp
Anyone aged 16 and over (except 16 year olds whose Youth License remains valid through the end of the year in which they turn 16) hunting or possessing pheasant or quail on the following designated Wildlife Management Areas shall have in possession a current Pheasant and Quail Stamp (free youth hunting licenses include pheasant & quail stamp): Assunpink, Berkshire Valley, Millville, Black River, Clinton, Colliers Mills, Dix, Flatbrook, Glassboro, Greenwood Forest, Howardsville, Heislerville, Tuckahoe, Mad Horse, Manahawkin, Manasquan River, Medford, Nantuxent, Peaslee, Pequest, Port Republic, Stafford Forge,Walpack, Whittingham and Winslow. Other designated areas include the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area and Fort Dix (if stocked and open to hunting). Pheasant and quail stamps are valid for the calendar year, January–December.

Waterfowl Stamp
Anyone 16 or older who hunts waterfowl must possess a New Jersey Waterfowl Stamp in addition to the Federal Duck Stamp. Both of these stamps are valid for the fiscal year, July 1–June 30. A current HIP number is also required.

LICENSE TYPES and FEES

Below are the fees for NJ Hunting & Trapping Licenses and Permits. There is no fee for Youth Licenses (ages 10 - 16). Licenses are for the calendar year and expire on December 31. Deer permits are valid into the following year if a season extends into it. Waterfowl stamps and Rifle Permits are valid for the July 1 - June 30 period.

Firearm Licenses
Resident Firearm Hunting $27.50
Senior Resident Firearm (65 yrs & older) $15.50
Non-Resident Firearm Hunting $135.50
Non-Resident Two-Day Small Game Firearm Hunting $36.50
Special One-Day Hunting (On Commercial Preserves Only) $12.50
Youth License Free
Bow and Arrow Licenses
Resident Bow & Arrow Hunting $31.50
Senior Resident Bow & Arrow Hunting (65 yrs & older) $16.50
Non-Resident Bow & Arrow Hunting $135.50
Youth License Free
Trapping Licenses
Resident Trapping $32.50
Non-Resident Trapping $200.50
Permits
Deer Permits for Bow, Shotgun or Muzzleloader (antlerless only) $28.00
Antlered Buck Bonus Permits (for Permit Bow, Shotgun and Muzzleloader seasons) $28.00
Youth Deer Permit $12.00
Turkey Season Permit $21.00
Youth Turkey Permit $12.00
Rifle Permit (valid July 1 - June 30) $10.50
Youth Rifle Permit (valid July 1 - June 30) $6.00
Stamps
Pheasant & Quail Stamp $40.00
Resident Waterfowl Stamp (valid July 1 - June 30) $5.00
Non-Resident Waterfowl Stamp (valid July 1 - June 30) $10.00
Miscellaneous Licenses
All-Around Sportsman (Includes Resident Firearm Hunting,
Bow & Arrow Hunting & Fishing Licenses)
$72.25
Duplicate licenses $2.00
NOTE: License fees are subject to change

For more information on hunting in New Jersey, please visit the various pages linked from the Hunting page or call 908-637-4125.

  Adobe Acrobat Some files on this site require adobe acrobat pdf reader to view. download the free pdf reader  
bottom footer contact dep privacy notice legal statement accessibility statement nj home nj home citizen business government services a to z departments dep home

division of fish & wildlife: home | links | contact f&w
department: njdep home | about dep | index by topic | programs/units | dep online
statewide: njhome | citizen | business | government | services A to Z | departments | search

Copyright © State of New Jersey, 1996-2008
Department of Environmental Protection
P. O. Box 402
Trenton, NJ 08625-0402

Last Updated: November 13, 2008