From the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife

New Jersey offers sportsmen and women more than 500,000 acres of state-owned public open space providing a diversity of habitats from hardwood ridges and rolling hills to pine forests and salt marsh. This total includes more than 358,000 acres in 122 Wildlife Management Areas, specifically managed to enhance wildlife populations and provide for wildlife-oriented recreation.  

Hunters can enjoy more than a hundred days of deer hunting, including seasons for bow, shotgun and muzzleloading rifle. Multiple bag limits are the rule in most zones. The 2020-21 deer harvest was 54,980. In addition, some of the best waterfowl hunting on the East coast is found in the Garden State. Snow geese, brant, black duck, mallard, bufflehead and a variety of other waterfowl species provide extensive hunting opportunities, especially on the coastal marshes. The wild turkey, reestablished in the late 1970s, continues to thrive throughout the state with the population now estimated at 20,000 - 23,000 with an annual harvest of approximately 3,000 birds.

The Cape May County Parks conducts one fall/winter hunting lottery a year to issue 20 Fall / Winter Bow, 20 Fall Turkey, 20 Six Day Firearm, and 20 Waterfowl Permits on selected grounds of the County Park System.

The lottery will be held at the Cape May County Park, Pavilion #10, 707 Route 9 North, Cape May Court House, New Jersey, September 2, 2023.  

More information below:
Any hunter, who wishes to participate in the lottery, must enter IN PERSON starting one hour prior to the drawing and be PRESENT at the time of the drawing. NO entry forms will be accepted after 11:00am.
Hunting lottery winners will be required to attend the mandatory meeting immediately following the drawing.

Requirements include:
Fall / Winter Bow - possession of a valid New Jersey hunting license (Archery)
Fall Turkey – possession of a valid New Jersey hunting license & fall turkey permit
Six Day Firearm– possession of a valid New Jersey hunting license (Shotgun)
Waterfowl – possession of a valid New Jersey hunting license, HIP number, N.J. waterfowl stamp, and federal migratory bird stamp.

Find locations for NJ licenses here njdep.maps

Photo Identification: Hunters having all documents, as stated above, in their possession will have first preference in the lottery drawing.
Issued permits are not transferable

Fall Bow – October 1 - October 28, 2023

Winter Bow – January 1 - 31, 2024

Fall Turkey – October 29, Oct. 31 – Nov. 5, 2023

Six Day Firearm – December 5 - 10, 2023

Waterfowl – September 1, 2023 – February 15, 2024

NOTE: The Cape May County Parks Department will only be hosting one lottery this year for both fall and winter hunting seasons.