DMZ 16, New Jersey

Central NJ mixed terrain — agricultural fields, hardwood and pine-oak forest, and scrub-brush lowlands typical of the Monmouth/Ocean county interface. The Naval Weapons Station Earle fence line forms part of the eastern boundary, creating a de facto sanctuary that holds deer.

moderate

Deer: Regulation Set 5 applies. Seasons include Fall Bow (Sept 13–Oct 31), Permit Bow (Nov 1–30), Six-Day Firearm (Dec 8–13), Permit Muzzleloader (Dec 1–Jan 10), Permit Shotgun (Dec 17–Jan 17), and Winter Bow (Jan 1–31). Bag limit is 5 antlerless and 1 antlered across seasons; up to 2 deer may be taken simultaneously in most seasons. No shotgun-only restriction — both rifle-caliber slugs and shotguns permitted where legal. All harvests must be reported same-day. Turkey: Zone falls within Turkey Hunting Area 12 (covering portions of Mercer, Middlesex, Ocean, and Monmouth counties); spring season typically April–May. Bear: Not applicable — bear hunting in NJ is restricted to northern counties (Sussex, Warren, Passaic, Morris); DMZ 16 is outside bear range.

Turkey Swamp WMA is the standout public land — nearly 4,000 acres of mixed habitat adjoining county parkland, with healthy deer and turkey numbers. The Naval Weapons Station Earle border effectively creates a no-hunting buffer that pushes deer into the zone. Agricultural edge habitat near Freehold and Farmingdale offers good early-season archery opportunities.