Licenses, Permits & Fees

Possession of a valid Hunting License is required to hunt and must be visibly displayed on outer clothing not covered by a pack or harness.

License Type / Fee

Youth Licenses (Ages 10–16)* – License valid through Dec. 31 of the year youth turns 16. Farmer exemption also applicable to youth farmers;

Bow & Arrow: Free

Firearm: Free

• Must be at least 10 years of age to obtain, regardless of residency.
• Hunters over 10 years and under 14 years must be accompanied by licensed adult (age 21+).
• Hunters over 10 years and under 14 years require permission from parent or legal guardian to obtain either license.

• Complete the HunterCourse.com online program, pass written test and print completion voucher.
• Register for a specific date/time mandatory live-fire Hunter Education session at NJFishandWildlife.com/hunteredregistration.htm. For questions, call the Hunter Education office at (856) 629-0552.
• Present Hunter Education course completion card at any license agent.

Resident Licenses – Licenses valid through Dec. 31.

Bow & Arrow

• Resident (Age 16–64): $31.50
• Sr. Resident (65+): $16.50

Firearm

• Resident (16–64): $27.50
• Sr. Resident (65+): $15.50

All-Around Sportsman

• Combines Resident Firearm, Bow & Arrow, and Fishing Licenses: $72.25
• With Buddy Fishing License: $62.25

• Must be NJ resident for at least 6 months or be on active military duty.
• Required when hunter turns 17 and annually thereafter.
• A "Buddy" All-Around license requires your friend (age 16–64 who has not purchased any type of fishing license since 2010) to purchase a year-long fishing license in the same transaction when you purchase your All-Around Sportsman License.

• A first-time license must be obtained from a license agent by showing appropriate Hunter Education course completion card(s) obtained as above, or with prior resident licenses from any state.
• All subsequent licenses can be purchased at any license agent or online at NJFishandWildlife.com

Apprentice Licenses – Licenses valid through Dec. 31.

Bow & Arrow

• Resident (Age 14–64): $31.50
• Sr. Resident (65+): $16.50
• Non-Resident (14+): $135.50

Firearm

• Resident (18–64): $27.50
• Sr. Resident (65+): $15.50
• Non-Resident (18+): $135.50

• Must be U.S. citizen and at least 18 years old to obtain firearm license and 14 years for bow.
• Hunter Education NOT required.
• MUST hunt under direct supervision and guidance of hunting mentor.
• Mentor must be at least 21 and possess a valid license.
• Mentor may only supervise ONE apprentice at a time.

• Available at all license agents and online at NJFishandWildlife.com.
• Lifetime limit of two apprentice licenses per type.

Also, Apprentice hunters:

• May hunt with air gun, bow, or shotgun ONLY.
• NOT valid for coyote or fox, and deer during the deer Muzzleloader Season.
• CANNOT use an Apprentice License as proof of passing Hunter Education course to purchase a regular license.

Disabled Veterans (DV) Hunting Licenses – Licenses valid through Dec. 31.

Free (each)

• All resident hunting licenses with exception of Buddy All-Around and Buddy Fishing Licenses

• Proof from VA of service-connected disability of any degree.
• Proof of honorable discharge (DD-214 or similar).
• NJ Driver License or other proof of residency.
• Appropriate Hunter Education course completion card(s).

• Eligible veterans must initially be certified by NJFW staff. See License Information or visit dep.nj.gov/njfw/licenses-and-permits/disabled-veteran-license-information/ for how to apply or for more information.
• Once certified, veterans obtain licenses at license agents or at NJFishandWildlife.com.

• Resident and Sr. Resident Apprentice

• Same requirements, restrictions, etc. as Apprentice Licenses above

National Guard (NJNG) – Licenses valid through Dec. 31.

Free (each)

All resident or non-resident hunting licenses with exception of Buddy All-Around and Buddy Fishing Licenses

• Must be active NJNG member who has completed Initial Active Duty Training.
• Appropriate Hunter Education Course Completion Cards or prior hunting license from former state of residence.
• Confirm you are active in the NJDMAVA system. Call (609) 530-6866.

• National Guard members must be certified by DMAVA, see License Information for details. Certifications are only valid for six months at a time. Available at all license agents.

Non-Resident Licenses – Licenses valid through Dec. 31.

Non-Resident Bow & Arrow

• Non-Resident (Age 16+): $135.50

Non-Resident Firearm

• Non-Resident (Age 16+): $135.50

• Non-resident of NJ or NJ resident for less than six months.
• Required in the year hunter turns 17 and annually thereafter (for year long licenses).

• A first-time license must be obtained from a license agent by showing appropriate Hunter Education course completion card(s) obtained as described under Youth Licenses (Licenses, Permits & Fees), or with prior resident license(s) from any state. See License Information on License Information for more details.
• All subsequent licenses can be purchased at any license agent or online at NJFishandWildlife.com

Non-Resident 2-Day Small Game Firearm

• Non-Resident (Age 16+): $36.50

(Not valid to hunt deer or turkey)

Valid through the day after issuance.

Special One-day Firearm – for use on commercial preserves only. Must be purchased from Commercial Preserve, not available online.

Resident or Non-Resident

Expires at the end of the day issued

• Must have passed appropriate Hunter Education course in NJ or state of residence.
• Valid for harvesting any species covered by the preserve license

• Valid for only for commercial shooting preserves
• May be obtained on-site at participating commercial preserves.
• Show proof of Hunter Education course or prior resident hunting license from any state.

Farmer License Exemption (see additional information on Farmer Hunting & Permit Information)

Farm - must meet qualifications under NJ Farmland Assessment Act of 1964. See

• No license or rifle permit required for Occupant Farmer or immediate family member 1 hunting farm on which the farmer or immediate family member RESIDE.
• Must have a Conservation Identification (CID) number

• Farmers who purchased any license or permit since 2006 should already have a CID number.
• If not, follow the instructions on Farmer Hunting & Permit Information under CID Requirement to create a profile.

1 - Immediate family members are defined further under Farmer Regulations.

Permits (Free to DV, NJNG)

Permit Type / Fee

Rifle Permit – Valid July 1–June 30

Youth (Age 10–16): $6*

Adult (16+): $10.50

• Must have passed a Hunter Education course from any state that includes rifle.
• Apprentice License holders may not purchase rifle permit.

• Available at all license agents and online at NJFishandWildlife.com

Permit Bow, Permit Muzzleloader, or Permit Shotgun

• Youth (Age 10–16): $12*
• Adult (16+): $28

• Antlerless, zone-specific permits valid only in the Deer Management Zone and for the duration of the hunting season specified on the permit.

• Antlerless, Antlered, and DRS Multi-Zone permits available at license agents or online at NJFishandWildlife.com
• Special Areas may have specific qualifying criteria – hunter has responsibility to arrange for property access before buying any permit.

DRS Multi-Zone Permit (Permit Bow, Muzzleloader, or Shotgun)

• Youth: $24*
• Adult: $56

• Antlerless, valid for all zones within the Regulation Set (Set 7 OR 8) and duration of season specified.
  

Antlered Buck Permit

Permit Bow, Permit Muzzleloader, or Permit Shotgun season

• Youth: $12*
• Adult: $28

• Valid in any zone for which hunter has an antlerless zone-specific permit or DSR Multi-Zone Permit.

Turkey Permits (Fall/Spring) – Valid for Specific Periods

Youth (Age 10–16): $12*

Adult (16+): $21

• Valid only in the Hunting Area and for the duration of the hunting period, specified on the permit.

• Fall permits available at license agents or online at NJFishandWildlife.com
• An application must be made for Spring Permits only at any license agent or online.

Coyote & Fox Permit – Valid Jan. 1–Mar. 15

Apprentice License holders may not hunt for coyote or fox

• Permit required when using certain firearms and ammo or to hunt these species at night.
• Not available for purchase until mid-Dec. when new hunting license are available.

• Available at all license agents and online at NJFishandWildlife.com

* NOTE: All youth permits can be purchased provided the hunter's youth license is still valid. Youth licenses are valid until the end of the calendar year in which the youth turns 16.

Permits and Stamps (Free to DV, NJNG)

Permit / Stamp Type / Fee

Pheasant & Quail Stamp – Valid through Dec. 31

• Required on all properties where NJ Fish & Wildlife releases pheasant or quail.

• Available at all license agents and online at NJFishandWildlife.com

HIP Certification – Valid Sept. 1–Apr. 15

• All hunters, including Apprentice License holders, must obtain HIP certificate before hunting ducks, geese, brant, coot, woodcock, rails, snipe or gallinules.

• Available at all license agents and online at NJFishandWildlife.com

NJ Waterfowl Stamp (Age 16+) – Valid July 1–April 15

• Both state and federal stamps are required—even for 16-year-olds still hunting on a youth license—to hunt brant, ducks and geese.
• Both stamps must be signed in ink.

• Available at all license agents and online at NJFishandWildlife.com

Federal Migratory Bird Hunting & Conservation Stamp – Valid July 1–June 30

• Both state and federal stamps are required—even for 16-year-olds still hunting on a youth license—to hunt brant, ducks and geese.
• Both stamps must be signed in ink.

• The Federal Stamp may be purchased at some post offices and online at fws.gov/service/buy-duck-stamp-or-e-stamp

Qualified farmers are eligible for free deer and turkey hunting permits.

• Must have a Conservation Identification (CID) number.
• Permit(s) must be visibly displayed on outer clothing and not covered by a pack or harness while hunting.

• New farmers should apply June 1–Aug. 1 at county ag extension offices or online at dep.nj.gov/njfw/hunting/information-for-farmers/ under Farmer Certification Application for Deer and Turkey permits.
• Once approved, you may claim your farmer permit at any license agent.

Duplicate or Lost License / Permit

• May be purchased online or replaced at any license agent. (See License Information)