DOD Ponds Wildlife Management Area: deer hunting, parking and rules in Zone 35
DOD Ponds Wildlife Management Area is 342 acres of New Jersey Fish and Wildlife land in Carneys Point and Oldmans (Salem County), in Deer Management Zone 35. Hunters took 1,014 deer in Zone 35 in 2025-26, and the zone follows the Medium regulation set for 2026-27. NJFW maps 6 fishing access points, 2 unpaved parking lots and 1 metal gate on the property.
Data updated October 2026. Sources are listed at the foot of the page.
DOD Ponds WMAZone lineParkingHighway
| Size | 342 acres (NJDEP) |
|---|---|
| Municipality | Carneys Point and Oldmans |
| County | Salem County |
| Deer Management Zone | Zone 35 |
| 2026-27 rules in Zone 35 | Medium regulation set |
| Parking (NJFW) | 2 unpaved parking lots |
| NJFW public deer land list | Listed: no extra access permit needed |
| Deer taken in Zone 35, 2025-26 | 1,014 |
| Nearest town centers | Penns Grove (under a mile), Oldmans (2 mi) and Carneys Point (3 mi) |
What has NJFW built on DOD Ponds WMA?
NJFW's points of interest layer shows 6 fishing access points, 2 unpaved parking lots and 1 metal gate.
| What | Latitude | Longitude |
|---|---|---|
| Unpaved parking lot | 39.74871 | -75.45539 |
| Unpaved parking lot | 39.74561 | -75.46752 |
| Fishing access point | 39.74877 | -75.45564 |
| Fishing access point | 39.74853 | -75.45575 |
| Fishing access point | 39.74575 | -75.46788 |
| Fishing access point | 39.74495 | -75.45672 |
| Fishing access point | 39.74437 | -75.45751 |
| Fishing access point | 39.74400 | -75.45788 |
| Metal gate | 39.74362 | -75.45916 |
What other hunting areas cover DOD Ponds WMA?
For spring turkey the WMA lies in Turkey Hunting Area 20 in NJFW's South region. For ducks and geese it is in the South waterfowl zone.
How many deer are taken around DOD Ponds WMA?
NJFW counts deer by zone. Zone 35 gave 1,014 deer in 2025-26: 649 to bowhunters, 70 in the six-day firearm season, 147 in the permit shotgun season and 139 in the permit muzzleloader season.
| Zone | WMA acres in it | 2025-26 | 2024-25 | 2023-24 | 2022-23 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 35 | 337 | 1,014 | 1,177 | 982 | 1,096 |
| County | 2021-22 | 2022-23 | 2023-24 | 2024-25 | 2025-26 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salem County | 2,036 | 1,732 | 1,631 | 1,830 | 1,670 |
What rules apply on DOD Ponds WMA?
Deer seasons follow Zone 35's Medium regulation set; its fall bow season runs September 12 to October 2, then October 3 to 30, 2026. An antlered deer in Zone 35 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 DOD Ponds WMA?
Highways within five miles: I-295, US 130, US 40, NJ 40 and NJ 602. Distances to the nearest town centers: Penns Grove under a mile, Oldmans 2 miles, Carneys Point 3 miles and Logan 6 miles. Other WMAs nearby: Salem River (7 miles), Raccoon Creek (7 miles), Featherbed Lane (8 miles). NJFW publishes a map of DOD Ponds WMA.
Questions hunters ask
Can you hunt deer on DOD Ponds WMA?
Yes. NJFW's 2026 Digest lists DOD Ponds 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 DOD Ponds WMA in?
Zone 35. Hunters took 1,014 deer in Zone 35 in 2025-26 and 1,177 in 2024-25 (NJFW 2025-26 New Jersey Total Deer Harvest).
Where do you park for DOD Ponds WMA?
NJFW maps 2 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 Salem County?
Salem County: 1,670 deer in 2025-26, 1,830 in 2024-25 and 2,036 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.