Absecon Wildlife Management Area: deer hunting, parking and rules in Zone 42
Absecon Wildlife Management Area is 3,811 acres of New Jersey Fish and Wildlife land in Absecon, Atlantic, Brigantine, Galloway and Pleasantville (Atlantic County), in Deer Management Zone 42 and 26. Hunters took 370 deer in Zone 42 in 2025-26, and the zone follows the High regulation set for 2026-27. NJFW maps 1 boat ramp on the property. NJDEP posts 1 restricted area on it.
Data updated October 2026. Sources are listed at the foot of the page.
Fish and Wildlife land (WMAs)State forest and park landNational wildlife refugeAbsecon WMAZone lineHighway
| Size | 3,811 acres (NJDEP), in 66 pieces |
|---|---|
| Municipality | Absecon, Atlantic, Brigantine, Galloway and Pleasantville |
| County | Atlantic County |
| Deer Management Zone | Zone 42, Zone 26 |
| 2026-27 rules in Zone 42 | High regulation set |
| Parking (NJFW) | None mapped |
| NJFW public deer land list | Listed: no extra access permit needed |
| Deer taken in Zone 42, 2025-26 | 370 |
| Nearest town centers | Brigantine (under a mile), Atlantic (under a mile) and Galloway (under a mile) |
What has NJFW built on Absecon WMA?
NJFW's points of interest layer shows 1 boat ramp.
| What | Latitude | Longitude |
|---|---|---|
| Boat ramp | 39.42613 | -74.48623 |
Which parts of Absecon WMA have restrictions?
NJDEP maps 1 posted area on Absecon WMA: 1 no access.
| Type | Category | NJDEP's description | Acres | Through |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Closed | No Access | Restoration area closed until further notice. | 42 | 2026-12-31 |
What other hunting areas cover Absecon WMA?
For spring turkey the WMA lies in Turkey Hunting Area 16 in NJFW's South region. For ducks and geese it is in the Coastal waterfowl zone.
How many deer are taken around Absecon WMA?
NJFW counts deer by zone. Zone 42 gave 370 deer in 2025-26: 212 to bowhunters, 60 in the six-day firearm season, 65 in the permit shotgun season and 29 in the permit muzzleloader season.
| County | 2021-22 | 2022-23 | 2023-24 | 2024-25 | 2025-26 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlantic County | 2,202 | 1,443 | 1,309 | 1,231 | 1,490 |
What rules apply on Absecon WMA?
Deer seasons follow Zone 42's High regulation set; its fall bow season runs September 12 to October 2, then October 3 to 30, 2026. WMAs close from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. except to hunters, anglers and trappers.
How do you get to Absecon WMA?
Highways within five miles: US 30, US 9, US 40, US 322 and NJ 87. Distances to the nearest town centers: Brigantine under a mile, Atlantic under a mile, Galloway under a mile and Pleasantville under a mile. Other WMAs nearby: Great Bay Boulevard (10 miles), Port Republic (11 miles), Malibu Beach (11 miles). NJFW publishes a map of Absecon WMA.
Questions hunters ask
Can you hunt deer on Absecon WMA?
Yes. NJFW's 2026 Digest lists Absecon WMA among public deer hunting lands that need no extra access permit. NJDEP posts these restrictions on it: no access (Restoration area closed until further notice). (NJFW Public Hunting Land for Deer (2026 Digest); NJDEP WMA Restrictions in New Jersey)
What deer zone is Absecon WMA in?
Zone 42 (3,701 acres) and Zone 26 (111 acres). Hunters took 370 deer in Zone 42 in 2025-26 and 332 in 2024-25 (NJFW 2025-26 New Jersey Total Deer Harvest).
How many deer are taken in Atlantic County?
Atlantic County: 1,490 deer in 2025-26, 1,231 in 2024-25 and 2,202 in 2021-22 (NJFW White-tailed Deer Harvest by County, 2021-22 to 2025-26).
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Sources: NJDEP open space, NJFW points of interest and WMA restrictions layers; NJFW harvest tables, county harvest, 2026-27 seasons, public deer land list and WMA rules; PAD-US; Census. FilledTag is not part of NJ Fish and Wildlife.