New Jersey’s got fantastic small game hunting, but the regulations are scattered everywhere like buckshot.
This guide fixes that problem. Everything you need for cottontail rabbit, gray squirrel, and woodchuck hunting in 2026 is right here. No more hunting through endless NJDEP pages or wondering if you’ve got the right permit.
Small game hunting works perfectly for people just getting started because it won’t break the bank, and you’ll actually learn to hunt instead of just sitting in a tree stand waiting.
Here’s what we’re covering:
- All the 2026 season dates and bag limits you need
- License costs that won’t surprise you at checkout
- The best places to actually find these critters
Let’s jump into the dates first since that’s what everyone wants to know.
Quick Overview: 2026 NJ Small Game Seasons at a Glance
Here are the basics. We’ll dig deeper into each species below, but this table will get you started. New Jersey’s got serious hunting opportunities with over 358,000 acres in the WMA system alone.
| Species | Season Type | Start Date | End Date | Bag Limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cottontail Rabbit | Regular | Sept 30, 2026 | Feb 27, 2027 | 4 daily |
| Gray Squirrel | Regular | Sept 30, 2026 | Feb 27, 2027 | 5 daily |
| Woodchuck | Bow/Shotgun | Feb 28, 2026 | Feb 20, 2027 | No limit |
| Woodchuck | Rifle (where legal) | Feb 28, 2026 | Sept 30, 2026 | No limit |
| Woodchuck | Rifle (where legal) | Mar 1, 2027 | Sept 29, 2027 | No limit |
Two things that’ll mess up your plans if you forget: No Sunday hunting except at licensed preserves, and air guns are allowed on WMAs for rabbit and squirrel.
Don’t head out without these:
- Valid NJ hunting license (firearm or bow)
- Hunter education cert if you’re new
- Rifle permit ($10.50 adults, $6 youth) for woodchuck rifle hunting
- Conservation ID
Non-residents get the same seasons and bag limits as residents. You’ll just pay more for the privilege.
Cottontail Rabbit Hunting Seasons
Rabbits are New Jersey’s bread and butter small game. They’re everywhere, the season runs forever, and they’re forgiving enough that beginners can actually shoot a few.
Regular Firearm Season
September 30, 2026 through February 27, 2027 gives you almost five months to figure out rabbit hunting. 4 daily bag limit is plenty generous. Any shotgun works, though most people stick with 12 or 20 gauge because they’re versatile. Air guns work on WMAs too, which is great if you want to keep things quiet.
Standard hunting hours apply – half hour before sunrise to sunset. Five months is enough time to screw up plenty and still learn something.
Bow Season
Bow season runs the same dates as gun season: September 30, 2026 through February 27, 2027. You’ll need proper broadheads that meet state specs. Most people don’t bow hunt rabbits, but it’s there if you want the challenge or need to hunt somewhere with firearm restrictions.
Sunday Hunting Restrictions
No small game hunting on Sundays. Period. Except at licensed preserves, but those cost extra. This really messes with weekend warriors, especially if you’re driving in from out of state.
Gray Squirrel Hunting Seasons
Squirrels might be the perfect starter animal. They’re literally everywhere, they’re active when you want to hunt, and you can find them in your local park (if hunting’s allowed).
Regular Firearm Season
September 30, 2026 through February 27, 2027 with a 5 daily bag limit. Same season as rabbits, one more in the bag. Shotguns, .22s where legal, air guns on WMAs. The higher limit makes sense because squirrels are absolutely everywhere.
Any oak woods will have squirrels. So will most suburban woodlots and parks where hunting’s permitted. Basic equipment works fine – pump shotgun or scoped .22 and you’re set.
Bow Season
Same dates as gun season: September 30, 2026 through February 27, 2027. Bow hunting squirrels is tough, but it’s excellent practice if you’re planning to bow hunt bigger stuff later.
Woodchuck Hunting Seasons
Woodchucks are the weird ones. Basically year-round seasons, no bag limits, and they’re big enough that you actually get some meat. Plus you can hunt them when rabbit and squirrel seasons are closed.
Bow and Shotgun Season
February 28, 2026 through February 20, 2027 with no bag limit. That’s almost the entire year. You can hunt woodchucks in spring, summer, fall, and winter when everything else is off limits.
Farm fields, meadows, anywhere there’s open ground near cover. No bag limit because there are tons of them and farmers actually want you to shoot them.
Rifle Season
Two separate periods for rifles:
- February 28, 2026 through September 30, 2026
- March 1, 2027 through September 29, 2027
“Where legal” means you need to check if your hunting spot allows centerfire rifles. Not everywhere does. You’ll need that rifle permit – $10.50 for adults, $6 for youth.
New Jersey Small Game Licenses and Permits
New Jersey’s licensing isn’t too complicated once you understand it. Everything starts with a Conservation ID, then you build from there.
New Jersey Hunting Licenses
Residents get a much better deal than non-residents. That’s just how it works everywhere.
| License Type | Resident Cost | Non-Resident Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Firearm Hunting (Small Game) | $28 | $135.50 (annual) |
| Bow & Arrow Hunting | $31.50 | $135.50 (annual) |
| Senior Resident (65+) Firearm | $15.50 | N/A |
| Senior Resident (65+) Bow & Arrow | $16.50 | N/A |
| Non-Resident 2-Day Small Game | N/A | $35.50 |
Non-residents pay way more but get the same opportunities. The 2-day license at $35.50 is decent for a quick trip. Annual makes sense if you’re coming back.
Hunter education is required for everyone who hasn’t done it before. Apprentice licenses let you hunt with a mentor while you figure out the education requirement.
New Jersey Hunting Permits
Some hunting needs extra permits beyond the basic license:
Rifle Permit: $10.50 adults, $6 youth and you need it before you can rifle hunt woodchucks. Get it through the NJDEP website or any license agent.
Pheasant & Quail Stamp: $16.50-$22.00 required for upland birds if you’re 16 or older and hunting stocked birds on WMAs.
Buy everything online through NJDEP, at sporting goods stores, or license agents around the state.
Where to Hunt Small Game in New Jersey
New Jersey’s crowded, but there’s more public land than you’d expect. Over 358,000 acres in the WMA system gives you plenty of options.
Best Public Lands
These WMAs consistently produce small game:
- Assunpink WMA: 6,000+ acres in central Jersey. Mix of farm fields and hardwoods, perfect for rabbits and squirrels
- Colliers Mills WMA: 12,000+ acres of pine barrens in Ocean County. Different habitat, good hunting
- Peaslee WMA: 3,000+ acres in Cumberland County. Agricultural edges and forest, ideal small game habitat
- Whittingham WMA: 2,000+ acres in Sussex County. Mountain terrain with mature hardwoods loaded with squirrels
Guided Hunts
Most guides in New Jersey focus on deer and ducks. Small game guiding isn’t really a thing because rabbit and squirrel hunting is pretty straightforward. New hunters can find mentors through state programs designed to get more adults into hunting.
Private Land Hunting
Private land beats public for obvious reasons: fewer people, better management, more predictable conditions. Leasing has gotten popular as public areas get more crowded.
You can contact landowners directly, join hunting clubs, or lease through services. Everything from small woodlots to big farms with diverse habitat.
Hunting Locator makes finding private land way easier than cold-calling farmers or driving around looking for “Posted” signs. Our platform connects you directly with landowners who want to lease hunting rights. No guesswork, no awkward conversations, just verified listings with real contact info. Check out New Jersey properties and skip the hassle of finding private access the hard way.
Small Game Hunting Tips
New Jersey small game hunting has its own quirks. Here’s what actually works:
- Hit early season hard: September and October, focus on farm edges and food sources. Animals are predictable when natural food is everywhere
- Hunt the weather: Light rain or overcast keeps squirrels moving but improves your visibility in the woods
- Work the edges: Where different habitats meet – field to forest, wetland to upland – that’s where you’ll find multiple species
- Stay patient: Success takes persistence. Beginners quit too fast, but this sport teaches you patience whether you want to learn it or not
- Wear your orange: Blaze orange is mandatory for small game hunting. At minimum, wear a vest or jacket
- Keep it simple: Don’t overthink gear – good boots, hiking clothes, old backpack, sharp knife. That covers 90% of what you need
More Resources from Hunting Locator
Get the complete picture of New Jersey hunting with these guides:
- New Jersey Hunting Season Guide – Everything in one place
- New Jersey Deer Hunting Season – Navigate the zone system and permits
- New Jersey Turkey Hunting Season – Spring and fall turkey regs
- New Jersey Waterfowl Hunting Season – Duck and goose opportunities
- New Jersey Game Bird Hunting Season – Pheasant, quail, and upland birds
- New Jersey Furbearer Hunting Season – Fox, coyote, and trapping seasons
- New Jersey Hunting Leases – Browse private land opportunities
FAQ
When do NJ small game seasons open in 2026?
Rabbit and squirrel seasons both start September 30, 2026 and run through February 27, 2027. Woodchuck bow/shotgun season runs almost year-round from February 28, 2026 through February 20, 2027. Rifle seasons have specific dates and need a separate permit.
Can non-residents hunt small game in New Jersey?
Yes, non-residents get the same seasons and limits as residents. You’ll pay $135.50 annually or $35.50 for two days, compared to $27.50-$31.50 for residents.
Is hunter education required for small game hunting in NJ?
Hunter education is mandatory for all new hunters before getting a license. Apprentice licenses let you hunt with a mentor while completing education requirements.
Can I hunt small game on Sundays in New Jersey?
No. Sunday hunting is prohibited except at licensed preserves. This applies to all small game species and methods.
What’s the bag limit for rabbits and squirrels in NJ?
Rabbits: 4 daily. Squirrels: 5 daily. Woodchucks have no limit during their seasons, which makes sense since they’re everywhere and farmers want them gone.
Where can I find private hunting land in New Jersey?
Hunting Locator’s New Jersey directory has the most complete database of private hunting opportunities. Direct contact with landowners, verified listings, no middleman nonsense.
The Final Shot
New Jersey’s 2026 small game seasons offer something for everyone. Beginners can learn the basics without breaking the bank. Veterans get consistent action through long seasons. The state’s got healthy populations of rabbits and squirrels, plus year-round woodchuck opportunities that most states can’t match.
Getting the regulations right is step one – licenses, seasons, Sunday restrictions, all that bureaucratic stuff. But finding good places to hunt is what separates successful hunters from frustrated ones. Public WMAs work fine, but private land gives you better odds and fewer crowds.
The small game is there. The seasons are generous. Now you just need to get out there and hunt. Ready to lock down private access for 2026? Check out New Jersey hunting leases and connect with landowners who actually want hunters on their property.
