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.

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New Jersey Turkey Season 2026

New Jersey turkey season dates start with Apr 18-18, 2026. The table below keeps every listed turkey row together with zones and notes where available.

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.

Last verified: June 15, 2026 · Source: New Jersey Fish & Wildlife

Turkey

16 listed rows

Wild Turkey

Fall Either-Sex

Closed

—

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

Closed

—

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

Closed

—

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

Closed

—

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

Closed

—

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)

Closed

—

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

Closed

—

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)

Closed

—

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

Closed

—

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)

Closed

—

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

Closed

—

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)

Closed

—

Apr 27-May 1, 2026

Zone: Statewide

Show 4 more turkey rows

Wild Turkey

Spring Gobbler - Period C

Closed

—

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)

Closed

—

May 4-8, 2026

Zone: Statewide

Wild Turkey

Spring Gobbler - Period D

Closed

—

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)

Closed

—

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