DMZ 53, New Jersey

Flat to gently rolling Pine Barrens lowlands dominated by pitch pine and scrub oak, with scattered wetlands, bogs, and sandy soils characteristic of the Pinelands National Reserve in Ocean County. The habitat supports dense deer populations in a military reservation setting.

Low — restricted access and authorization requirements limit hunter numbers relative to available acreage, resulting in lightly pressured deer on a large protected tract.

DEER: Fall Bow (Sept 13–Oct 3, first deer must be antlerless; Oct 4–31 antlered or antlerless, unlimited antlerless + 1 antlered); Permit Bow (Nov 1–Dec 24 & Dec 26–31, unlimited antlerless + optional antlered buck bow permit); Permit Muzzleloader (Dec 1-2, 15-16, 20-24, 26-31 & Jan 1-10, unlimited antlerless + optional antlered buck ML permit); Permit Shotgun (Dec 8-13 & 17-19, unlimited antlerless + optional antlered buck shotgun permit); Winter Bow (Jan 2–Feb 21, unlimited antlerless + 1 antlered). All seasons require iSportsman daily sign-in/out. TURKEY: Spring and fall turkey hunting permitted on base with shotgun and archery equipment only; Pine Barrens habitat supports resident turkey populations. BEAR: Not applicable — Ocean County is outside the NJ black bear permit hunting zones.

Over 42,000 acres of protected Pine Barrens habitat managed by the military with a robust natural resources program. Unlimited antlerless bag limits in multiple permit seasons make this one of the more liberal antlerless zones in New Jersey. Pine Barrens habitat produces both quality deer and wild turkey. No bear hunting — Ocean County is outside NJ's primary black bear management zones (which are concentrated in northwestern NJ: Sussex, Warren, Morris, Passaic counties).