Cape Island Wildlife Management Area: deer hunting, parking and rules in Zone 34
Cape Island Wildlife Management Area is 442 acres of New Jersey Fish and Wildlife land in Cape May, Lower and Middle (Cape May County), in Deer Management Zone 34. Hunters took 384 deer in Zone 34 in 2025-26, and the zone follows the Low regulation set for 2026-27. NJFW maps 3 unpaved parking lots, 1 cartop boat launch and 1 fishing access point 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 wildlife refugeCape Island WMAZone lineParkingHighway
| Size | 442 acres (NJDEP), in 10 pieces |
|---|---|
| Municipality | Cape May, Lower and Middle |
| County | Cape May County |
| Deer Management Zone | Zone 34 |
| 2026-27 rules in Zone 34 | Low regulation set |
| Parking (NJFW) | 3 unpaved parking lots |
| NJFW public deer land list | Listed: no extra access permit needed |
| Deer taken in Zone 34, 2025-26 | 384 |
| Nearest town centers | Lower (under a mile), Cape May (under a mile) and West Cape May (under a mile) |
What has NJFW built on Cape Island WMA?
NJFW's points of interest layer shows 3 unpaved parking lots, 1 cartop boat launch and 1 fishing access point.
| What | Latitude | Longitude |
|---|---|---|
| Unpaved parking lot | 38.99738 | -74.88639 |
| Unpaved parking lot | 38.99617 | -74.88395 |
| Unpaved parking lot | 38.97978 | -74.90192 |
| Cartop boat launch | 38.99606 | -74.88401 |
| Fishing access point | 38.99590 | -74.88390 |
What other hunting areas cover Cape Island WMA?
For spring turkey the WMA lies in Turkey Hunting Area 22 in NJFW's South region. For ducks and geese it is in the South waterfowl zone.
How many deer are taken around Cape Island WMA?
NJFW counts deer by zone. Zone 34 gave 384 deer in 2025-26: 192 to bowhunters, 88 in the six-day firearm season, 35 in the permit shotgun season and 59 in the permit muzzleloader season.
| Zone | WMA acres in it | 2025-26 | 2024-25 | 2023-24 | 2022-23 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 34 | 442 | 384 | 415 | 254 | 417 |
| County | 2021-22 | 2022-23 | 2023-24 | 2024-25 | 2025-26 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cape May County | 361 | 331 | 198 | 301 | 302 |
What rules apply on Cape Island WMA?
Deer seasons follow Zone 34's Low regulation set; its fall bow season runs October 3 to 30, 2026. An antlered deer in Zone 34 needs 3 points on one side. WMAs close from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. except to hunters, anglers and trappers.
How do you get to Cape Island WMA?
Highways within five miles: US 9, NJ 47, NJ 147 and NJ 109. Distances to the nearest town centers: Lower under a mile, Cape May under a mile, West Cape May under a mile and Cape May Point 3 miles. Other WMAs nearby: Higbee Beach (3 miles), Cox Hall Creek (3 miles), Beaver Swamp (14 miles). NJFW publishes a map of Cape Island WMA.
Questions hunters ask
Can you hunt deer on Cape Island WMA?
Yes. NJFW's 2026 Digest lists Cape Island 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 Cape Island WMA in?
Zone 34. Hunters took 384 deer in Zone 34 in 2025-26 and 415 in 2024-25 (NJFW 2025-26 New Jersey Total Deer Harvest).
Where do you park for Cape Island WMA?
NJFW maps 3 unpaved parking lots, 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 Cape May County?
Cape May County: 302 deer in 2025-26, 301 in 2024-25 and 361 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.