Guides · Feral hog laws by state · Checked September 30, 2026
Feral hog laws in New Jersey
In New Jersey, a 2017 Division notice lets deer hunters take feral hogs only in Deer Management Zones 25 and 65 during those zones' deer seasons. Every hog taken must be checked in with the Division to be legally possessed.
The rules at a glance
- Legal status
- The Division calls feral hogs a threat to the environment, wildlife, agricultural crops and livestock. source
- Season
- Only while deer hunting, on the deer season dates for Deer Management Zones 25 and 65, under a 2017 Division notice: Monday to Saturday during legal deer hunting hours, plus Sundays for archers during the fall bow, permit bow and winter bow seasons on WMAs and private land. Only weapons authorized for deer hunting may be used. source
- License
- Hunters need the appropriate DMZ 25 or DMZ 65 permit during permit seasons and must not have reached the season bag limit for deer. source
- Bag limit
- Unlimited. source
- Trapping
- Not stated by the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife
- Moving live hogs
- Not stated by the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife
- Night hunting
- Shooting is permitted only Monday through Saturday during legal deer hunting hours, under the 2017 notice. source
- Eradication or bounty
- A 2017 Division notice says feral hogs have been declared eradicated in New Jersey. The Division still issued a Special Wildlife Management Permit to control feral hogs in Deer Management Zones 25 and 65. source
What makes New Jersey different
A harvested hog must be checked in to be legally possessed: call the Division's Nacote Creek Office, 609-748-2044, to book a check-in. The hog may then be kept for personal consumption.
The 2017 notice asks that all sightings and harvests be reported to the Division at 908-735-8793, and requires written landowner permission on private property.
Where to report hogs
Report sightings, rooting or other signs to USDA APHIS Wildlife Services, 908-735-5654 x2. Deer hunters must report harvested hogs to the Division, 609-748-2044.
Every state also has a USDA Wildlife Services office. The federal feral swine program (Squeal on Pigs!) links to yours.
Knowing the rules is half of it
Whether you hunt, trap or call it in, it helps to know what is actually on your land.
HogSight reads the trail-camera photos you already have and maps the sounder: group size, timing, and which individuals keep coming back. See how HogSight reads your camera roll →
Sources
Checked against these official pages on September 30, 2026. Due for a re-check by September 30, 2027.
Rules next door
This guide is informational. Wildlife and animal-health rules change and can vary by county. Always confirm current rules with the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife before acting.