DMZ 61, New Jersey

Southern NJ coastal plain — mixed pine-oak forest, cedar swamps, river bottomland along the Great Egg Harbor and South rivers, wetland edges. Approximately 1,700 acres at Estell Manor alone plus multiple smaller tracts (Galloway, Pine Forest, Pine Ave.) totaling several thousand acres across the Atlantic County Park system.

Low to moderate — permit quotas cap hunters per tract (100 total shotgun permits, 60 bow, 60 muzzleloader). Mandatory hunter orientation required. Bait prohibited. Over 100 hunters participate annually across all tracts.

Deer: Permit Bow Season (60 permits, unlimited antlerless, one antlered buck with Antlered Buck Bow Permit); Permit Muzzleloader Season (60 permits, unlimited antlerless, one antlered buck with permit); Permit Shotgun Season (100 permits, unlimited antlerless, one antlered buck with permit); Six-Day Firearm Season open only to holders of valid Zone 61 Permit Shotgun Season permit (bag limit two antlered deer). Estell Manor restricted to shotgun hunting on state-mandated shotgun days. Safety zones: 450 ft from structures with firearm, 150 ft with bow. Bear hunting: not applicable — DMZ 61 is in Atlantic County (southern NJ), outside the bear management zones in Sussex, Warren, Passaic, and Morris counties. Turkey: Atlantic County park lands are not designated public turkey hunting lands per NJDFW; turkey hunting opportunities in this zone are limited.

Permit-only deer hunting on Atlantic County Park land with strict quota caps ensures low crowding and quality habitat. Cedar swamp and river-corridor settings provide classic south Jersey deer habitat. Estell Manor Park has 27 miles of trails and diverse edge cover. Hunter orientation is required before participating. Permits open in early September via NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife online system.