Makepeace Lake Wildlife Management Area: deer hunting, parking and rules in Zone 26
Makepeace Lake Wildlife Management Area is 11,546 acres of New Jersey Fish and Wildlife land in Hamilton and Mullica (Atlantic County), in Deer Management Zone 26. Hunters took 667 deer in Zone 26 in 2025-26, and the zone follows the Low regulation set for 2026-27. NJFW maps 3 fishing access points, 1 paved parking lot, 1 shotgun range and 1 muzzleloader rifle range 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 landMakepeace Lake WMAZone lineParkingHighway
| Size | 11,546 acres (NJDEP), in 66 pieces |
|---|---|
| Municipality | Hamilton and Mullica |
| County | Atlantic County |
| Deer Management Zone | Zone 26 |
| 2026-27 rules in Zone 26 | Low regulation set |
| Parking (NJFW) | 1 paved parking lot |
| Ranges | shotgun range and muzzleloader rifle range |
| NJFW public deer land list | Listed: no extra access permit needed |
| Deer taken in Zone 26, 2025-26 | 667 |
| Nearest town centers | Hamilton (under a mile), Mullica (3 mi) and Egg Harbor (4 mi) |
What has NJFW built on Makepeace Lake WMA?
NJFW's points of interest layer shows 3 fishing access points, 1 paved parking lot, 1 shotgun range, 1 muzzleloader rifle range, 1 cartop boat launch and 1 metal gate. One member of a shooting party on a WMA range must hold a New Jersey hunting license.
| What | Latitude | Longitude |
|---|---|---|
| Paved parking lot | 39.55743 | -74.73862 |
| Gun Rack | 39.55761 | -74.73774 |
| Shooting Station | 39.55760 | -74.73772 |
| Gun Rack | 39.55753 | -74.73780 |
| Shooting Station | 39.55752 | -74.73779 |
| Shotgun range | 39.55751 | -74.73746 |
| Gun Rack | 39.55746 | -74.73787 |
| Shooting Station | 39.55745 | -74.73785 |
| Shooting Station | 39.55733 | -74.73845 |
| Shooting Station | 39.55731 | -74.73847 |
| Shooting Station | 39.55729 | -74.73849 |
| Shooting Station | 39.55723 | -74.73856 |
The first 12 of 20 points.
What other hunting areas cover Makepeace Lake WMA?
For spring turkey the WMA lies in Turkey Hunting Area 22 (95%) and Turkey Hunting Area 16 (5%) in NJFW's South region. For ducks and geese it is in the South waterfowl zone.
How many deer are taken around Makepeace Lake WMA?
NJFW counts deer by zone. Zone 26 gave 667 deer in 2025-26: 338 to bowhunters, 244 in the six-day firearm season, 10 in the permit shotgun season and 70 in the permit muzzleloader season.
| Zone | WMA acres in it | 2025-26 | 2024-25 | 2023-24 | 2022-23 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 26 | 11,541 | 667 | 567 | 544 | 599 |
| County | 2021-22 | 2022-23 | 2023-24 | 2024-25 | 2025-26 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlantic County | 2,202 | 1,443 | 1,309 | 1,231 | 1,490 |
What rules apply on Makepeace Lake WMA?
Deer seasons follow Zone 26'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 Makepeace Lake WMA?
Highways within five miles: US 322, US 30, US 40, NJ 50, NJ 54 and NJ 73. Distances to the nearest town centers: Hamilton under a mile, Mullica 3 miles, Egg Harbor 4 miles and Folsom 4 miles. Other WMAs nearby: Great Egg Harbor River (3 miles), Hammonton Creek (9 miles), Maple Lake (9 miles). NJFW publishes a map of Makepeace Lake WMA.
Questions hunters ask
Can you hunt deer on Makepeace Lake WMA?
Yes. NJFW's 2026 Digest lists Makepeace Lake 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 Makepeace Lake WMA in?
Zone 26. Hunters took 667 deer in Zone 26 in 2025-26 and 567 in 2024-25 (NJFW 2025-26 New Jersey Total Deer Harvest).
Where do you park for Makepeace Lake WMA?
NJFW maps 1 paved parking lot, 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 Atlantic County?
Atlantic County: 1,490 deer in 2025-26, 1,231 in 2024-25 and 2,202 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.