DMZ 12, New Jersey
Unit info
- Game species
- Deer, Turkey
- Group
- Zones 10–19
- Area
- 2,395 mi²
- Public land
- N/A
White-tailed Deer — season & harvest
- Reported harvest
- 2,932
Draw odds for White-tailed Deeraren't on file for this unit yet. Check your state wildlife agency website for current draw statistics.
Season & harvest data is published for White-tailed Deer so far. Deer, Turkey also occur here — that data can be added as the community contributes.
About this unit
AI-compiled · sourcedDMZ 12 covers a triangular area of south-central New Jersey spanning portions of Somerset, Hunterdon, and Mercer counties, bounded by Routes 31, 22, 206, and 546 between Clinton, Somerville, and Lawrenceville. The zone is a mix of suburban development, agricultural land, and wooded corridors with a solid deer population and multiple public hunting opportunities. Hunters enjoy a full season structure including archery, six-day firearm, permit shotgun, and muzzleloader with unlimited antlerless opportunity under Regulation Set 7.
Rolling south-central NJ landscape of mixed hardwood forest, agricultural fields, and suburban-edge habitat in Somerset, Hunterdon, and Mercer counties. Elevation is modest, with river bottoms along the South Branch of the Raritan adding travel corridors. The zone is bounded by major commuter routes and is more suburban in character than the northern NJ hill country.
moderate
Deer: Regulation Set 7 — unlimited antlerless, 1 antlered per season; antler point restriction (3 points on one side required for antlered harvest). Seasons: Fall Bow Sep 13–Oct 31 2025; Permit Bow Nov 1–Dec 31 2025; Six-Day Firearm Dec 8–13 2025; Permit Muzzleloader Dec 1–2, Dec 15–16, Dec 20–24, Dec 26–31 2025 and Jan 1–Feb 14 2026; Permit Shotgun Dec 17–19 2025 and Jan 3–Feb 14 2026; Winter Bow Jan 1–Feb 21 2026. Turkey: Zone falls within Turkey Hunting Area 9 (Hunterdon/Somerset portion) and Area 14 (Mercer portion). Spring season April 25–May 22 2026 (5 periods, 2 bearded birds/season); Fall season Sep 19–25 2026 (1 bird/permit). Bear: DMZ 12 is in south-central NJ and does not overlap with primary bear management zones (Sussex/Warren/Morris/Passaic core range); bear hunting is not a factor in this zone.
Unlimited antlerless tags under Regulation Set 7 make DMZ 12 attractive for hunters looking to fill the freezer. The zone runs a full season suite — fall archery starting September 13, the iconic Six-Day Firearm season in December, permit shotgun, and a long muzzleloader window extending into mid-February. Round Valley Recreation Area provides a unique wilderness-style hunt in an otherwise suburban zone. Antler point restriction applies: any antlered deer must have at least 3 points on one side.
Questions, tips & discussion
Ask anything about DMZ 12— or drop a tip or trick: access points, where game holds, glassing spots, conditions, crowding, gear that worked. This is where the unit's species-specific intel gets built, hunter by hunter.
Nothing posted yet about DMZ 12.
Be the first — ask a question (“Best public access on the north end?”) or share a tip (“Glass the burn scars off the main ridge at first light”).
Boundaries: NJDEP official Deer Management Zones. Community info last updated 23d ago.