NJDEP Division of Fish & Wildlife - Take a Kid Hunting Program

Take a Kid Hunting Program

2017-2018 Youth Hunts - All dates are Saturdays (except Youth Pheasant November 6-10)

Deer Bow Hunt: September 23
Pheasant Hunt: November 4, and Monday-Friday, November 6-10
Upland Game Bird Hunt: November 4
Waterfowl Hunts:
    Oct. 7 & Feb. 3, North Zone
    Oct. 14 & Feb. 3, South Zone
    Nov. 4 & Feb. 10 Coastal Zone
Deer Firearm Hunt: November 18
Turkey Hunt: April 21, 2018

The NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife’s popular Take a Kid Hunting Program is designed to provide a quality hunting experience for properly licensed youth hunters. These days, first added to the Game Code by the Fish and Game Council for the 2001-2002 season, increase a young hunter's opportunity for harvesting game in a setting which encourages responsible and safe hunting practices in a more relaxed setting. The program is coordinated by the division's Hunter Education Unit.
The primary component of the program is a series of "youth hunts" - special days, often outside regular hunting seasons on days provided in the Game Code. Hunts often utilize the expertise of "mentors" to further enhance the hunting experience.
There are typically five (5) youth hunting events: turkey, pheasant, upland birds, deer and waterfowl as described below. All hunts require the hunter possess a valid Youth License and be under the direct supervision of a properly licensed, non-hunting adult 21 years of age or older.

Youth Turkey Hunting Day is a great opportunity for the next generation of hunters.
Click to enlarge

Turkey - One day held prior to the opening of the regular spring season.

Pheasant - Prior to 2017, held the Saturday prior to the opening of the regular season. In 2018 the "Youth Season" has been extended to include the Monday through Fridy prior to the regular season opening dates. The Take a Kid Pheasant Hunting program provides opportunities for young hunters to learn and experience pheasant hunting using trained bird dogs under the supervision and guidance of knowledgeable volunteer hunting mentors. Youth hunters can participate in a guided hunt on one of eight Wildlife Management Areas throughout the state that are stocked with pheasants reared at the Division of Fish and Wildlife's Rockport Pheasant Farm.

Pre-registration is required for guided hunts (application form available in September). Youth hunters between the ages of 10 and 15 who do not pre-register for a guided hunt can hunt during special hours on any one of nine stocked WMAs. Support is provided by the State Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs.

Upland Bird - One day held prior to the opening of the regular season on licensed semi-wild preserves.

Waterfowl - Days are held outside of the regular waterfowl seasons during periods of higher waterfowl abundance to enhance the hunting experience for youths and their mentors. Youth hunters can also take advantage of the special Wading River Youth Waterfowl Blinds and Mentoring Program.

Click to Enlarge Deer - Two days (bow and firearm) held prior to statewide opening days. These hunts are extensions of the Fall Bow and Six-day Firearm seasons so no special permit is required. Antler point and "antlerless deer first" requirements do NOT apply on these days. Youth hunters may still harvest two antlered deer during the regular Six-day Firearm Season and one antlered deer during the Fall Bow Season.
More complete information on each season is found in the Hunting and Trapping Digest.
For more information, or if interested in being a mentor or a trained dog handler, call the Hunter Education Unit at 856-629-0552.