Hunting/Trapping Information
JB MDL Hunting Permits Required
Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst provides a unique hunting experience within some of the most pristine protected terrain in all of New Jersey. Over 42,000 acres of protected habitat and a regulated natural resources program ensure prime conditions for all levels of hunters.
Hunting, Fishing, and Trapping on JB MDL are controlled by access categories. The online Safety Brief (which must be taken before any permits can be purchased) outlines which user types can access each area.
2026-2027 Hunting Season
The 2026-2027 NJ DFW Hunting and Trapping Digest can be found on their website.
HUNTING CHECK-IN/OUT TIMES:
90 MINUTES BEFORE LEGAL SUNRISE
90 MINUTES AFTER LEGAL SUNSET
LEGAL SHOOTING TIMES STILL APPLY
UPDATES TO JB MDL HUNTING PROGRAM
White-tailed deer permit seasons: ALL of JB MDL is now zone 71. McGuire, Dix, & Lakehurst are no longer two zones
MAP UPDATES EACH USER IS RESPONSIBLE FOR KNOWING AND USING THE MOST UP TO DATE MAPS*
ZONE CHANGES: The following changes have been made to the TAC areas:
- 13B is now what used to be 13B &13C
- 13C is now what was 13D
- 13D no longer exists
- 12C no longer exists
- The following zones had a boundary change:
- 09D
- 09C
- 09E
- 10D (Lakehurst L2A - L2C)
- 06A
- 05A
- 01A/B
- 08B
All equipment (treestands, trail cameras, etc.) left in the field must be marked with the owner's JB MDL permit number and must be visable from the ground. JB MDL Natural Resources is offering free equipment tags to hunters that would like to use them. They can be attached to your equipment and are waterproof. They are available at Range 14 or at the Natural Resources office:
Building 2404, Office 208 on McGuire AFB
Deer Tracking Dog Permit
Hunters are now allowed to use deer tracking dogs to help locate wounded deer in the RANGE ONLY. The hunter must:
- Posses all of the NJ and JB MDL licenses and permits
- Ensure the Handler and dog are certified through the NJ DFW
- Check out and then back in entering the Handler's name and NJ DFW certification number
- Ensure the dog remains on a leash at all times
- Can only track deer in OPEN areas
- Never enter off limits/closed areas
- Must check out when leaving an area and back in when entering a new open area
- Only track deer during legal hunting hours
- Not hunt while tracking wounded deer
Wildlife Hazard Management Zones
White-tailed deer gaining access to McGuire airfield poses a threat to airmen and their aircraft. To help manage the white-tailed deer population close to the airfield, JB MDL Natural Resources designated the following hunting areas as Wildlife Hazard Management Zones:
- 1W1
- 1W2
- 1J
- 1I1
- 1I2
Incentive Program
The hunter(s) removing the most deer from each zone will win a FREE JB MDL hunting permit for the following season. This incentive program is valid for the entirety of the NJ archery season (Sept-Feb). All state and JB MDL regulations apply. The hunter MUST:
- Have access to McGuire Cantonment Area (active-duty, DoW Civilian stationed at JB MDL, Disabled Veteran)
- Provide their name, harvest date, time, and NJ DFW confirmation code to andrew.clapper.2@us.af.mil for EACH harvest
- Have the proper JB MDL permit and all associated NJ licenses
- Have checked in their harvest with the NJ DFW AND iSportsman
- Have properly checked in and out of iSportsman
ATTENTION Parents or Guardians of Youth Hunters:
All youth HUNTERS require their own iSportsman account and may not be checked in as a guest.
Youth hunters and their parent or guardians must check-in and out on their own accounts seperately. If a youth hunter fails to check-in or out, the penalty is administered to the parent or guardian.
Exception: You may bring your child with you to enjoy the hunting experience as long as they will not be hunting, and check them in as a guest.
PHEASANT HUNTING
Pheasants are stocked on the Range Area of the base and the Lakehurst Area. Two separate permits exist for pheasants in the Range Area vs. the Lakehurst Area.
Range Area Pheasants (RA): Require an NJ Hunting license with a Pheasant stamp. It also requires a free RA Pheasant license.
Lakehurst Area Pheasants (LA): Does not require an NJ Pheasant stamp but does require a LA area Pheasant stamp for a fee.
FT DIX PHEASANTS
PHEASANT SEASON: JB MDL will open Ft. Dix to pheasant hunting on the following dates:
Saturday 7 November (TAC 1F) (Fields 1,2,4,5,6,7,8,&9) NO HUNTING IN FIELD 3
Saturday 14 November (TAC 7C & 7D)
Tuesday 17 November (TAC 7C & 7D)
Thursday 19 November (TAC 7C & 7D)
Thursday 26 November (TAC To be determined)
Saturday 28 November (TAC To be determined)
A FREE JB MDL RA Pheasant Permit is required before you can check into hunt pheasants.
JB MDL Natural Resources will stock pheasants the night before the scheduled hunting dates.
ATTENTION: Strict boundaries are in place for ALL pheasant fields in TAC 7C and 7D. There will be NO access (including dogs) to areas beyond the southern field edges in TAC 7C and 7D. The edges will be marked with signs and red flagging. Maps will be posted prior to season.
LAKEHURST PHEASANTS
PHEASANT SEASON: JB MDL Natural Resources will open Lakehurst pheasant hunting on the following dates:
Saturday 14 November
Saturday 21 November
Saturday 5 December
Saturday 19 December
Saturday 9 January
Saturday 23 January
Stocking of Lakehurst pheasants will occure twice a month from November through January. Stocking will take place in the evening and will be available to hunt the NEXT morning. The following fields will be stocked: 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 8A, 9, 10, 11, 13, &14
This year JB MDL Natural Resources will also stock an equal amount of chukar in addition to the pheasants. The usual bag limit of two (2) pheasants still applies, but you will also be allowed to keep two (2) chukars for a total of four (4) birds per hunter.
Lakehurst Guest Pheasant Permit
A Lakehurst Guest Pheasant Permit is available for purchase ($65), through iSportsman, for individuals who do not normally have access to Lakehurst.
- To purchase the Lakehurst Guest Pheasant Permit the guest MUST have:
- A sponsor who already has access to Lakehurst
- A pass issued by 87 SFS to access Lakehurst with a sponsor
- An active iSportsman account
- Taken & passed the current year's safety brief
- A valid NJ Hunting License
- A current JB MDL hunting permit. A NJ Pheasant stamp is NOT needed to hunt pheasants on Lakehurst.
- A Lakehurst Guest Pheasant Permit
- The sponsor MUST have:
- Access to Lakehurst
- An valid iSportsman account
- A valid NJ Hunting License
- A JB MDL hunting permit
- A Lakehurst Pheasant Hunting Permit
HOW TO OBTAIN A VISITORS PASS FOR LAKEHURST PHEASANT HUNTING GUESTS
1. The sponsor and/or guest will submit a request by completing the 87 SFS JB MDL Background Request form, found here. The sponsor or guest will submit this form to andrew.clapper.2@us.af.mil . REQUESTS MUST BE SENT TWO WEEKS PRIOR TO EXPECTED HUNTING DATE.
2. 87 SFS will conduct a background check, if cleared, they will issue the guest a pass for the entirety of the Pheasant Hunting Season. The guest will ONLY be allowed access with their sponsor present.
3. The sponsor or guest must send a copy of the pass to andrew.clapper.2@us.af.mil. After JB MDL Natural Resources receives the pass, the permit will be opened for the guest to purchase on iSportsman.
- The sponsor is limited to two (2) guests per visit. The sponsor is responsible for their guests at all times.
- All firearms will travel in the sponsor's vehicle.
TRAPPING
Trapping is permitted on JBMDL with a special permit. Trappers must have a valid New Jersey trapper’s permit and must obtain a JBMDL trapping permit. Beaver trapping requires Natural Resources approval*.
REPORTING YOUR HARVEST
Successful hunters MUST report their harvest in two (2) locations:
- iSportsman - You report your harvest when you check out
- New Jersey Department of Fish and Wildlife - toll-free at 855-I-HUNT-NJ (855-448-6865) OR Online. The number and website address are printed on all hunting licenses and deer permits.