Hainesville Wildlife Management Area: deer hunting, parking and rules in Zone 1
Hainesville Wildlife Management Area is 494 acres of New Jersey Fish and Wildlife land in Montague and Sandyston (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 3 unpaved parking lots, 2 roadside pull-offs, 1 cartop boat launch and 1 water dog training area 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 ServiceHainesville WMAZone lineParkingHighway
| Size | 494 acres (NJDEP), in 5 pieces |
|---|---|
| Municipality | Montague and Sandyston |
| County | Sussex County |
| Deer Management Zone | Zone 1 |
| 2026-27 rules in Zone 1 | Low regulation set |
| Parking (NJFW) | 3 unpaved parking lots and 2 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 | Montague (2 mi), Sandyston (4 mi) and Frankford (7 mi) |
What has NJFW built on Hainesville WMA?
NJFW's points of interest layer shows 3 unpaved parking lots, 2 roadside pull-offs, 1 cartop boat launch and 1 water dog training area.
| What | Latitude | Longitude |
|---|---|---|
| Unpaved parking lot | 41.27195 | -74.78553 |
| Roadside pull-off | 41.26930 | -74.78762 |
| Unpaved parking lot | 41.26843 | -74.78694 |
| Roadside pull-off | 41.26375 | -74.78182 |
| Unpaved parking lot | 41.26370 | -74.78343 |
| Water dog training area | 41.27032 | -74.78572 |
| Cartop boat launch | 41.26952 | -74.78703 |
What other hunting areas cover Hainesville WMA?
For spring turkey the WMA lies in Turkey Hunting Area 1 in NJFW's North region. For ducks and geese it is in the North waterfowl zone.
How many deer are taken around Hainesville 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 | 494 | 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 Hainesville 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 Hainesville WMA?
Highways within five miles: US 206. Distances to the nearest town centers: Montague 2 miles, Sandyston 4 miles, Frankford 7 miles and Wantage 7 miles. Other WMAs nearby: Flatbrook Roy (6 miles), Bear Swamp (9 miles), Walpack (12 miles). NJFW publishes a map of Hainesville WMA.
Questions hunters ask
Can you hunt deer on Hainesville WMA?
Yes. NJFW's 2026 Digest lists Hainesville 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 Hainesville 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 Hainesville WMA?
NJFW maps 3 unpaved parking lots and 2 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).
Get a New Jersey hunt plan when they open
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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.