New Jersey 2026 Hunting Season Dates
Quick answer
New Jersey's listed 2026 spring turkey season runs Apr 18-May 22, 2026.
Youth Wild Turkey opens Apr 18, 2026 and closes Apr 18, 2026.
Youth Hunt Day Wild Turkey opens Apr 18, 2026 and closes Apr 18, 2026.
The tables below keep the rest of the listed seasons together by species, with source links back to New Jersey Fish & Wildlife.
- spring turkey
- Apr 18-May 22, 2026
- turkey
- Apr 18-18, 2026
- turkey
- Apr 18-18, 2026
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Key seasons by species
We summarize official agency information and link to the source for verification. Regulations can change, and zone details matter. Always confirm final dates, bag limits, permits, and legal requirements with New Jersey Fish & Wildlife before hunting.
Proposed 2026-27
federal openings
in New Jersey
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing hunting and fishing access changes at 1 station in New Jersey. Public comment closes June 26, 2026.
Turkey
16 listed rowsWild Turkey
Fall Either-Sex
dates not listed
Exact dates not listed in the current data.
Fall Either-Sex Wild Turkey Hunting Season is CLOSED statewide. Closure due to population decline and need to increase hen survival and reproduction.
Zone: Statewide
Wild Turkey
Fall Either-Sex Season
dates not listed
Exact dates not listed in the current data.
Fall Either-Sex Wild Turkey Hunting Season is CLOSED statewide. Closure due to population decline and need to increase hen survival and reproduction.
Zone: Statewide
Wild Turkey
Youth
Apr 18-18, 2026
Youth Turkey Hunting Day. Ages 10-16. Must be under direct supervision of a properly-licensed, non-hunting adult (21 or older). Hunting hours: 1/2 hour before sunrise to noon. Report harvest by 3 p.m. on day of harvest.
Zone: Statewide
Wild Turkey
Youth - Period Y
Apr 18-May 22, 2026
Ages 10-16. Apr 18-May 9: 1/2 hour before sunrise to noon. May 11-May 22: 1/2 hour before sunrise to sunset. Report harvest by 3 p.m. on day of harvest; beginning May 11 by 9 p.m. on day of harvest. Period Y permit valid throughout Spring Gobbler Season in designated Turkey Hunting Area until a male turkey is harvested.
Zone: Statewide
Wild Turkey
Youth Hunt Day
Apr 18-18, 2026
Youth hunter (aged 10-16) must be under direct supervision of a properly-licensed, non-hunting adult (21 or older). Hunting hours: 1/2 hour before sunrise to noon. Report harvest by 3 p.m. on day of harvest.
Zone: Statewide
Wild Turkey
Spring Gobbler - Period Y (Youth Ages 10-16)
Apr 18-May 22, 2026
Apr. 18–May 9: 1/2 hour before sunrise to noon. May 11–May 22: 1/2 hour before sunrise to sunset. Youth hunter aged 10-13 must be under direct supervision of a properly-licensed adult (21 or older). Period Y permit valid throughout Spring Gobbler Season in designated Turkey Hunting Area until a male turkey is harvested. Report harvest by 3 p.m. on day of harvest; beginning May 11 by 9 p.m. on day of harvest.
Zone: Statewide
Wild Turkey
Spring Gobbler - Period A
Apr 20-24, 2026
Monday-Friday only. Hunting hours: 1/2 hour before sunrise to noon. Only one turkey may be taken per day regardless of number of permits held. Report harvest by 3 p.m. on day of harvest.
Zone: Statewide
Wild Turkey
Spring Gobbler - Period A (Mon-Fri)
Apr 20-24, 2026
Hunting hours: 1/2 hour before sunrise to noon. Only one turkey may be taken per day regardless of number of permits held. Report harvest by 3 p.m. on day of harvest. No Sunday hunting. Calling or stand-hunting only.
Zone: Statewide
Wild Turkey
Spring Gobbler - Period E
Apr 25-May 16, 2026
Saturdays only: Apr 25, May 2, May 9, May 16. Hunting hours: 1/2 hour before sunrise to noon. On May 16 only: 1/2 hour before sunrise to sunset. Only one turkey may be taken per day regardless of number of permits held.
Zone: Statewide
Wild Turkey
Spring Gobbler - Period E (Saturdays)
Apr 25-May 16, 2026
Hunting hours: 1/2 hour before sunrise to noon. On May 16 only: 1/2 hour before sunrise to sunset. Only one turkey may be taken per day regardless of number of permits held. No Sunday hunting. Calling or stand-hunting only. Saturdays only: Apr. 25, May 2, 9, 16.
Zone: Statewide
Wild Turkey
Spring Gobbler - Period B
Apr 27-May 1, 2026
Monday-Friday only. Hunting hours: 1/2 hour before sunrise to noon. Only one turkey may be taken per day regardless of number of permits held. Report harvest by 3 p.m. on day of harvest.
Zone: Statewide
Wild Turkey
Spring Gobbler - Period B (Mon-Fri)
Apr 27-May 1, 2026
Hunting hours: 1/2 hour before sunrise to noon. Only one turkey may be taken per day regardless of number of permits held. Report harvest by 3 p.m. on day of harvest. No Sunday hunting. Calling or stand-hunting only.
Zone: Statewide
Show 4 more turkey rows
Wild Turkey
Spring Gobbler - Period C
May 4-8, 2026
Monday-Friday only. Hunting hours: 1/2 hour before sunrise to noon. Only one turkey may be taken per day regardless of number of permits held. Report harvest by 3 p.m. on day of harvest.
Zone: Statewide
Wild Turkey
Spring Gobbler - Period C (Mon-Fri)
May 4-8, 2026
Hunting hours: 1/2 hour before sunrise to noon. Only one turkey may be taken per day regardless of number of permits held. Report harvest by 3 p.m. on day of harvest. No Sunday hunting. Calling or stand-hunting only.
Zone: Statewide
Wild Turkey
Spring Gobbler - Period D
May 11-22, 2026
Monday-Friday only. Hunting hours: 1/2 hour before sunrise to sunset. Only one turkey may be taken per day regardless of number of permits held. Report harvest by 9 p.m. on day of harvest beginning May 11.
Zone: Statewide
Wild Turkey
Spring Gobbler - Period D (Mon-Fri)
May 11-22, 2026
Hunting hours: 1/2 hour before sunrise to sunset. Only one turkey may be taken per day regardless of number of permits held. Report harvest beginning May 11 by 9 p.m. on day of harvest. No Sunday hunting. Calling or stand-hunting only.
Zone: Statewide
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New Jersey Hunting Season FAQ
When does deer season start in New Jersey?
No current deer opener is listed for New Jersey yet. Check New Jersey Fish & Wildlife for the latest published dates.
When is New Jersey's firearm deer season?
New Jersey does not have a firearm deer row in the current data set yet. Check New Jersey Fish & Wildlife for firearm, rifle, or general deer season details.
When does spring turkey open in New Jersey?
April 18, 2026 is the first listed spring turkey opener for New Jersey; the listed window is Apr 18-May 22, 2026.
Do I need a license to hunt in New Jersey?
Yes. Hunters generally need the appropriate New Jersey hunting license, and some seasons may require tags, permits, stamps, or zone-specific authorizations. Confirm final requirements with New Jersey Fish & Wildlife.