Columbia Wildlife Management Area: deer hunting, parking and rules in Zone 5
Columbia Wildlife Management Area is 1,159 acres of New Jersey Fish and Wildlife land in Knowlton (Warren County), in Deer Management Zone 5. Hunters took 2,234 deer in Zone 5 in 2025-26, and the zone follows the Medium regulation set for 2026-27. NJFW maps 14 unpaved parking lots, 4 metal gates, 2 roadside pull-offs and 2 boat ramps 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 ServiceColumbia WMAZone lineParkingHighway
| Size | 1,159 acres (NJDEP), in 12 pieces |
|---|---|
| Municipality | Knowlton |
| County | Warren County |
| Deer Management Zone | Zone 5 |
| 2026-27 rules in Zone 5 | Medium regulation set |
| Parking (NJFW) | 2 roadside pull-offs and 14 unpaved parking lots |
| NJFW public deer land list | Listed: no extra access permit needed |
| Deer taken in Zone 5, 2025-26 | 2,234 |
| Nearest town centers | Belvidere (3 mi), Blairstown (4 mi) and Hope (4 mi) |
What has NJFW built on Columbia WMA?
NJFW's points of interest layer shows 14 unpaved parking lots, 4 metal gates, 2 roadside pull-offs, 2 boat ramps, 2 cable gates and 1 cartop boat launch.
| What | Latitude | Longitude |
|---|---|---|
| Unpaved parking lot | 40.95770 | -75.06827 |
| Unpaved parking lot | 40.94891 | -75.07656 |
| Roadside pull-off | 40.93291 | -75.07767 |
| Unpaved parking lot | 40.92981 | -75.07956 |
| Unpaved parking lot | 40.92790 | -75.08458 |
| Roadside pull-off | 40.92478 | -75.05940 |
| Unpaved parking lot | 40.92473 | -75.06800 |
| Unpaved parking lot | 40.92277 | -75.07128 |
| Unpaved parking lot | 40.92254 | -75.08851 |
| Unpaved parking lot | 40.92238 | -75.05527 |
| Unpaved parking lot | 40.92172 | -75.05971 |
| Unpaved parking lot | 40.92149 | -75.07297 |
The first 12 of 25 points.
What other hunting areas cover Columbia WMA?
For spring turkey the WMA lies in Turkey Hunting Area 4 (83%) and Turkey Hunting Area 3 (17%) in NJFW's North region. For ducks and geese it is in the North waterfowl zone.
How many deer are taken around Columbia WMA?
NJFW counts deer by zone. Zone 5 gave 2,234 deer in 2025-26: 1,368 to bowhunters, 349 in the six-day firearm season, 265 in the permit shotgun season and 234 in the permit muzzleloader season.
| Zone | WMA acres in it | 2025-26 | 2024-25 | 2023-24 | 2022-23 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 5 | 1,159 | 2,234 | 2,223 | 2,347 | 2,637 |
| County | 2021-22 | 2022-23 | 2023-24 | 2024-25 | 2025-26 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Warren County | 3,173 | 3,752 | 3,425 | 3,299 | 3,354 |
What rules apply on Columbia WMA?
Deer seasons follow Zone 5's Medium 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 Columbia WMA?
Highways within five miles: I-80, US 46, NJ 94, NJ 163 and NJ 31. Distances to the nearest town centers: Belvidere 3 miles, Blairstown 4 miles, Hope 4 miles and White 4 miles. Other WMAs nearby: Honey Run (4 miles), Beaver Brook (5 miles), Buckhorn Creek (9 miles). NJFW publishes a map of Columbia WMA.
Questions hunters ask
Can you hunt deer on Columbia WMA?
Yes. NJFW's 2026 Digest lists Columbia 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 Columbia WMA in?
Zone 5. Hunters took 2,234 deer in Zone 5 in 2025-26 and 2,223 in 2024-25 (NJFW 2025-26 New Jersey Total Deer Harvest).
Where do you park for Columbia WMA?
NJFW maps 2 roadside pull-offs and 14 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 Warren County?
Warren County: 3,354 deer in 2025-26, 3,299 in 2024-25 and 3,173 in 2021-22 (NJFW White-tailed Deer Harvest by County, 2021-22 to 2025-26).
Get a New Jersey hunt plan when they open
Hunt plans for New Jersey are coming. Join the list and you'll hear first. The first 50 hunters in each new state get their plan free.
Until then, the free FilledTag app for iPhone has a map that works in every state, New Jersey included.
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.