New Jersey Hunting License, Tags & Hunter Education

Resident, non-resident, senior, youth, and lifetime hunting fees, tags and stamps, trapping licenses, and hunter safety requirements for New Jersey. Checked 2026-11-12.

Hunting Licenses (7)

License / Permit	Residency	Fee	Eligibility & Notes	Source
Resident Firearm Hunting	Resident	$27.50	ages 16-64 Bow and arrow resident $31.50 (16-64); requirements list minimum age 17	Official page
Senior Resident Firearm Hunting	Resident	$15.50	ages 65+ Senior bow and arrow $16.50 (65+)	Official page
Resident Bow and Arrow Hunting	Resident	$31.50	ages 16-64	Official page
Non-Resident Firearm Hunting	Non-resident	$135.50	ages 16+ per fee label; requirements list minimum age 17 Non-resident bow and arrow $135.50; 2-day small game firearm $36.50 (not valid for deer or turkey)	Official page
Non-Resident Bow and Arrow Hunting	Non-resident	$135.50	ages 16+	Official page
Non-Resident 2-Day Small Game Firearm	Non-resident	$36.50	ages 16+ Not valid to hunt deer or turkey; valid through the day after issuance	Official page
Lifetime licence	Resident & Non-resident	Not shown	not stated No lifetime licence fee found on pages read	Official page

Tags, Stamps & Permits (11)

License / Permit	Residency	Fee	Eligibility & Notes	Source
Rifle Permit (adult)	Resident & Non-resident	$10.50	ages 16+ Valid July 1 to June 30; requires passed hunter education including rifle; apprentice holders may not buy	Official page
Rifle Permit (youth)	Resident & Non-resident	$6.00	ages 10-16 Valid July 1 to June 30	Official page
Single Zone Permit Bow Muzzleloader or Shotgun (adult)	Resident & Non-resident	$28.00	ages 16+ Antlerless deer; antlered buck permit $28 adult; multi-zone DRS adult $56	Official page
Single Zone Permit Bow Muzzleloader or Shotgun (youth)	Resident & Non-resident	$12.00	ages 10-16 Antlered buck permit youth $12; multi-zone DRS youth $24	Official page
Antlered Buck Permit (adult)	Resident & Non-resident	$28.00	ages 16+ Required in addition to antlerless permit for antlered buck	Official page
DRS Multi-Zone Permit (adult)	Resident & Non-resident	$56.00	ages 16+ Youth $24	Official page
Pheasant and Quail Stamp	Resident & Non-resident	$40.00	ages 16+ Required on properties where pheasant or quail released; valid through Dec 31	Official page
HIP Certification	Resident & Non-resident	$2.00	ages 10+ Valid Sept 1 to April 15; required before hunting ducks geese brant coot woodcock rails snipe or gallinules	Official page
NJ Waterfowl Stamp	Resident & Non-resident	Not shown	not stated Valid July 1 to April 15; fee not shown on page read	Official page
Federal Duck Stamp	Resident & Non-resident	Not shown	not stated Federal stamp; fee not shown on NJ page	Official page
Turkey and Bear permits	Resident & Non-resident	Not shown	not stated Fees not shown on page read; turkey season specific; bear permit sales periods listed	Official page

Trapping Licenses (1)

License / Permit	Residency	Fee	Eligibility & Notes	Source
Trapping licence	Resident & Non-resident	Not shown	not stated Trapping licence fee not found on pages read; trappers need hunter education or prior NJ licence	Official page

Hunter Education Requirements (1)

License / Permit	Residency	Fee	Eligibility & Notes	Source
Hunter Education Certificate (Completion Card)	Resident & Non-resident	Not shown	Must be at least 10 to hunt; over 10 and under 14 need parent permission and an accompanying adult 21+; card must mark discipline (firearm bow or trapping); prior NJ resident licence or apprentice licence alternatives Course fee not shown; from 2026-27 season a past licence from another state is no longer accepted; contact NJHunterEd@dep.nj.gov	Official page

Free, Senior, Veteran & Disability Exemptions (4)

License / Permit	Residency	Fee	Eligibility & Notes	Source
Veterans with Service-Connected Disability (free hunting licences stamps and permits)	Resident	Free ($0.00)	resident veterans with service-connected disability Documentation of benefits and honorable discharge required; free permits and stamps	Official page
NJ National Guard Members	Resident	Free ($0.00)	eligible NJ National Guard personnel Free licences permits and stamps	Official page
Active military (resident licence)	Resident	see notes	active duty US armed services Entitled to fish hunt or trap with resident licence; proof of active duty at agent	Official page
Youth Bow and Firearm Hunting	Resident & Non-resident	Free ($0.00)	ages 10-16 Youth hunting licences free; valid through Dec 31 of year youth turns 16	Official page

Next steps for New Jersey hunters

Check official New Jersey season dates before heading out, and stock up on tags/gear from licensed outfitters (Sportsman's Warehouse / Amazon Associates placeholder).

Also see: New Jersey Fishing Licenses →