Bear Swamp Wildlife Management Area: deer hunting, parking and rules in Zone 1
Bear Swamp Wildlife Management Area is 3,009 acres of New Jersey Fish and Wildlife land in Frankford and Hampton (Sussex County), in Deer Management Zone 1. Hunters took 500 deer in Zone 1 in 2025-26, and the zone follows the Low regulation set for 2026-27. NJFW maps 11 unpaved parking lots, 5 roadside pull-offs, 1 metal gate and 1 cable gate on the property.
Data updated October 2026. Sources are listed at the foot of the page.
Fish and Wildlife land (WMAs)State forest and park landNational Park ServiceBear Swamp WMAZone lineParkingHighway
| Size | 3,009 acres (NJDEP), in 5 pieces |
|---|---|
| Municipality | Frankford and Hampton |
| County | Sussex County |
| Deer Management Zone | Zone 1 |
| 2026-27 rules in Zone 1 | Low regulation set |
| Parking (NJFW) | 11 unpaved parking lots and 5 roadside pull-offs |
| NJFW public deer land list | Listed: no extra access permit needed |
| Deer taken in Zone 1, 2025-26 | 500 |
| Nearest town centers | Branchville (under a mile), Hampton (2 mi) and Frankford (2 mi) |
What has NJFW built on Bear Swamp WMA?
NJFW's points of interest layer shows 11 unpaved parking lots, 5 roadside pull-offs, 1 metal gate and 1 cable gate.
| What | Latitude | Longitude |
|---|---|---|
| Roadside pull-off | 41.15979 | -74.78654 |
| Unpaved parking lot | 41.15905 | -74.78529 |
| Roadside pull-off | 41.15896 | -74.78754 |
| Roadside pull-off | 41.15392 | -74.78455 |
| Unpaved parking lot | 41.14804 | -74.83276 |
| Unpaved parking lot | 41.14376 | -74.83779 |
| Unpaved parking lot | 41.14310 | -74.77502 |
| Roadside pull-off | 41.14281 | -74.81698 |
| Roadside pull-off | 41.14216 | -74.83856 |
| Unpaved parking lot | 41.14180 | -74.78154 |
| Unpaved parking lot | 41.14137 | -74.81812 |
| Unpaved parking lot | 41.13821 | -74.83568 |
The first 12 of 18 points.
What other hunting areas cover Bear Swamp WMA?
For spring turkey the WMA lies in Turkey Hunting Area 2 in NJFW's North region. For ducks and geese it is in the North waterfowl zone.
How many deer are taken around Bear Swamp WMA?
NJFW counts deer by zone. Zone 1 gave 500 deer in 2025-26: 262 to bowhunters, 140 in the six-day firearm season, 9 in the permit shotgun season and 85 in the permit muzzleloader season.
| Zone | WMA acres in it | 2025-26 | 2024-25 | 2023-24 | 2022-23 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 | 2,960 | 500 | 493 | 455 | 495 |
| County | 2021-22 | 2022-23 | 2023-24 | 2024-25 | 2025-26 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sussex County | 3,329 | 3,864 | 3,591 | 3,735 | 3,925 |
What rules apply on Bear Swamp WMA?
Deer seasons follow Zone 1's Low regulation set; its fall bow season runs 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 Bear Swamp WMA?
Highways within five miles: US 206, NJ 94 and NJ 15. Distances to the nearest town centers: Branchville under a mile, Hampton 2 miles, Frankford 2 miles and Walpack 3 miles. Other WMAs nearby: Flatbrook Roy (4 miles), Trout Brook (5 miles), Walpack (5 miles). NJFW publishes a map of Bear Swamp WMA.
Questions hunters ask
Can you hunt deer on Bear Swamp WMA?
Yes. NJFW's 2026 Digest lists Bear Swamp WMA among public deer hunting lands that need no extra access permit. (NJFW Public Hunting Land for Deer (2026 Digest); NJDEP WMA Restrictions in New Jersey)
What deer zone is Bear Swamp WMA in?
Zone 1. Hunters took 500 deer in Zone 1 in 2025-26 and 493 in 2024-25 (NJFW 2025-26 New Jersey Total Deer Harvest).
Where do you park for Bear Swamp WMA?
NJFW maps 11 unpaved parking lots and 5 roadside pull-offs, listed with coordinates on this page (NJ Fish and Wildlife points of interest (parking, gates, ranges, boat ramps)). Vehicles must stay on established roads and parking areas.
How many deer are taken in Sussex County?
Sussex County: 3,925 deer in 2025-26, 3,735 in 2024-25 and 3,329 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.