Sub-species: Eastern
Tags: Lottery plus over the counter leftover sales
Application Period: Jan 25 – Feb 22
Electronic of Print at Home Fulfillment: ONLY for leftover permits
Hunter Education Required: Yes
Bag Limit: 1 male turkey per permit per day
2026 Spring Season Dates:
Period Y April 18 – May 9 (noon cutoff), May 11 – May 22 (sunset cutoff)
Period A April 20-24 (noon cutoff)
Period B April 27-May 1 (noon cutoff)
Period C May 4-8 (noon cutoff)
Period D May 11-15, May 18-22 (sunset cutoff)
Period E (Saturdays) April 25, May 2, May 9 (noon cutoff), May 16 (sunset cutoff)
Special Youth Hunt: April 18
Special Disabled Hunt: No
Decoys Allowed: Yes
Tagging Instructions: Hunters must tag their turkey immediately upon harvest and before moving the turkey. Fill out the Turkey Harvest Report Card (part of your permit) except the Confirmation Number which will be assigned automatically when the turkey is reported. Attach the Turkey Harvest Report Card to the turkey. The tag must include the hunter’s CID, date and Turkey Hunting Area (THA) of harvest. Report your harvest via the Automated Harvest Reporting System (by phone or online as printed on every hunting license and permit.) Upon reporting, you will receive a Confirmation Number. Record the assigned Confirmation Number on your Turkey Harvest Report Card. Retain the Confirmation Number as long as the turkey or its parts are in possession.
If unable to access the Automated Harvest Reporting System by the designated time, the turkey shall be reported immediately by telephone to the nearest Fish and Wildlife Law Enforcement office listed on Law Enforcement. You must continue to attempt calling to reach the Automated Harvest Report System until you receive a Confirmation Number for that turkey.
Noteworthy Restrictions: Use of a hand-held decoy or a turkey tail-on-a-stick as camouflage to sneak up on a turkey, including practices known as fanning and reaping, is prohibited. In New Jersey, stalking of wild turkeys is illegal, both for personal safety and ethical reasons. No shotgun smaller than 20 gauge nor larger than 10 gauge, or capable of holding no more than 3 shells may be used. Also, no shot larger than #4 or smaller than #7 1/2. Shotgun MUST be cased and unloaded while in or on a vehicle, including ATVs and UTVs. Hunting ends at 12 Noon on some days. Only male birds can be taken – no bearded hens. It is unlawful to transport an uncased firearm in a motor vehicle or ATV. It is illegal to carry a loaded firearm within 450ft of a building or school playground or discharge a firearm across a roadway. There is no Sunday hunting. Legal hunting hours vary by period. If successfully, drawn, you must claim your permit before the claim period has ended or you will lose it.
609-777-3373
Licenses Needed to Hunt Turkeys
This site is dedicated to the wonderful passion of Spring turkey hunting. Our goal is to encourage you to “expand your season”, by “expanding your boundaries”. We hope that you find this information useful in planning your next hunt. The information in these pages has been compiled and interpreted to the best of our ability. Please consult local hunting regulations to be sure that you are in compliance with all hunting laws. ©Hunt49 2026