Wild Turkey in New Jersey
The Turkey Hunting Booklet has been discontinued.
Spring 2020 season information
is found in the
2019-20 Hunting Digest
on pages 14 and 58-61 and below:
Turkey Hunting Regulations and Information 2019-2020
(pdf, 475kb)
Spring Turkey Permit Application Information
Apply NOW!
Changes to Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge Hunt Program
Spring 2019 Turkey Season Harvest Data
The Division\’s Turkey Restoration Project represents one of the greatest wildlife management success stories in the history of the state. By the mid-1800s, turkeys had disappeared in New Jersey due to habitat changes and killing for food. Division biologists, in cooperation with the
NJ Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation
, reintroduced wild turkeys in 1977 with the release of 22 birds. In 1979 biologists and technicians began to live-trap and re-locate birds to establish populations throughout the state. By 1981 the population was able to support a spring hunting season, and in December, 1997, a limited fall season was initiated.
There is now an abundance of wild turkeys throughout the state with turkeys found wherever there is suitable habitat. In South Jersey, where wild turkeys had been struggling just a few years ago, intensive restoration efforts have improved population numbers significantly. The statewide population is now estimated at 20,000 – 23,000 turkeys with an annual harvest of approximately 3,000 birds.
Youth turkey hunters
aged 10 to 16 with a
Youth License
can obtain a \”Y\” permit which allows them to hunt in any hunting period in the zone that they obtain a permit for during the spring season. Youth hunters aged 10 to less than 14 must be under the supervision of a licensed adult who is at least 21 years of age. The adult does not have to have a turkey permit, but they do have to have a regular license. This regulation applies until the youth takes a turkey. After taking a turkey, the youth is subject to the same hunting period and zone restrictions as an adult. There is also the special statewide
Youth Turkey Hunting Day
each year.
Spring turkey permits are awarded via a
lottery
followed by over-the-counter sales; the lottery application period is January 25-February 22. There is no lottery for the fall season.
REGULATIONS/PERMIT INFORMATION
2018-2019 Wild Turkey Hunting Season Regulations and Information
(pdf, 190kb)
Turkey Hunting Area Map
Spring 2019 Lottery Quota Information
(pdf, 85kb)
Turkey Hunting Area Boundary Descriptions
(pdf, 100kb)
Turkey Permit Information
Turkey Check Stations
(pdf, 110kb)
HARVEST/POPULATION DATA
Wild Turkey Harvests and Population Estimates, 1981 – 2019
2004-2019 Spring Gobbler Season Harvest Data
Public Turkey Hunting Land
(pdf, 280kb)
Primary Turkey Range and Public Land in NJ
Turkey Hunting Tips and Basic Information for the Turkey Hunter
Principal Foods for Wild Turkeys
Turkey Patterning Target
(pdf, 50kb)
ADDITIONAL LINKS
Wildlife Technician Joe Garris Honored
(NWTF news release, 2/21/09)
NJ Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation
Hunting Regulations
Small Game Information
Hunter Education
Farmer Information
Wildlife Management Areas
Forms
Feature Articles