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
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 (COMING SOON) *EACH USER IS RESPONSIBLE FOR KNOWING AND USING THE MOST UP TO DATE MAPS*
- Zones 101, 102, 103, and 12C have been removed.
PHEASANT FIELDS
- The addition of new pheasant fields in zones 7C and 7D in the event zone 1F is unavailable. JB MDL Natural Resources will announce open fields closer to the opening day of pheasant season.
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
- 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.
- 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
- The permit will NOT show up in available permits.
- Guests will work with their sponsor to obtain a visitor's pass (minimum 72 hrs) in advance.
- Once the sponsor obtains the pass, they will email it to andrew.clapper.2@us.af.mil.
- The permit will be placed in the guest's cart for purchase and the NR office will email the guest when it is ready for purchase.
- 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.
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 RA Pheasant license, but the Dix Area pheasant license is free of cost.
Lakehurst Area Pheasants (LA): Does not require an NJ Pheasant stamp but does require a LA area Pheasant stamp for a fee.
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.