Paulinskill River Wildlife Management Area: deer hunting, parking and rules in Zone 2
Paulinskill River Wildlife Management Area is 2,361 acres of New Jersey Fish and Wildlife land in Hampton, Andover, Lafayette and Town of Newton (Sussex County), in Deer Management Zone 2 and 5. Hunters took 1,597 deer in Zone 2 in 2025-26, and the zone follows the Medium regulation set for 2026-27. NJFW maps 11 NJFW buildings, 9 roadside pull-offs, 8 unpaved parking lots and 3 metal gates 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 landPaulinskill River WMAZone lineParkingHighway
| Size | 2,361 acres (NJDEP), in 14 pieces |
|---|---|
| Municipality | Hampton, Andover, Lafayette and Town of Newton |
| County | Sussex County |
| Deer Management Zone | Zone 2, Zone 5 |
| 2026-27 rules in Zone 2 | Medium regulation set |
| Parking (NJFW) | 8 unpaved parking lots and 9 roadside pull-offs |
| NJFW public deer land list | Not on the 2026 list |
| Deer taken in Zone 2, 2025-26 | 1,597 |
| Nearest town centers | Hampton (under a mile), Newton (under a mile) and Andover (2 mi) |
What has NJFW built on Paulinskill River WMA?
NJFW's points of interest layer shows 11 NJFW buildings, 9 roadside pull-offs, 8 unpaved parking lots, 3 metal gates and 2 cartop boat launches.
| What | Latitude | Longitude |
|---|---|---|
| Roadside pull-off | 41.08723 | -74.70696 |
| Unpaved parking lot | 41.08415 | -74.72757 |
| Roadside pull-off | 41.08344 | -74.78269 |
| Roadside pull-off | 41.08244 | -74.78211 |
| Roadside pull-off | 41.08078 | -74.78156 |
| Unpaved parking lot | 41.08012 | -74.77914 |
| Roadside pull-off | 41.07983 | -74.77880 |
| Unpaved parking lot | 41.07469 | -74.78610 |
| Roadside pull-off | 41.07312 | -74.79455 |
| Roadside pull-off | 41.07284 | -74.78838 |
| Unpaved parking lot | 41.07234 | -74.79375 |
| Unpaved parking lot | 41.07095 | -74.79181 |
The first 12 of 33 points.
What other hunting areas cover Paulinskill River WMA?
For spring turkey the WMA lies in Turkey Hunting Area 5 (52%) and Turkey Hunting Area 2 (48%) in NJFW's North region. For ducks and geese it is in the North waterfowl zone.
How many deer are taken around Paulinskill River WMA?
NJFW counts deer by zone. Zone 2 gave 1,597 deer in 2025-26: 918 to bowhunters, 265 in the six-day firearm season, 149 in the permit shotgun season and 251 in the permit muzzleloader season.
| Zone | WMA acres in it | 2025-26 | 2024-25 | 2023-24 | 2022-23 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 2 | 1,239 | 1,597 | 1,565 | 1,474 | 1,498 |
| Zone 5 | 1,123 | 2,234 | 2,223 | 2,347 | 2,637 |
| 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 Paulinskill River WMA?
Deer seasons follow Zone 2'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 Paulinskill River WMA?
Highways within five miles: NJ 94, US 206, NJ 15 and NJ 181. Distances to the nearest town centers: Hampton under a mile, Newton under a mile, Andover 2 miles and Fredon 2 miles. Other WMAs nearby: Whittingham (6 miles), Bear Swamp (7 miles), Weldon Brook (7 miles). NJFW publishes a map of Paulinskill River WMA.
Questions hunters ask
Can you hunt deer on Paulinskill River WMA?
NJFW allows hunting on WMAs, but Paulinskill River WMA is not on its 2026 list of public deer lands that need no extra permit, so check its rules first. (NJFW Public Hunting Land for Deer (2026 Digest); NJDEP WMA Restrictions in New Jersey)
What deer zone is Paulinskill River WMA in?
Zone 2 (1,239 acres) and Zone 5 (1,123 acres). Hunters took 1,597 deer in Zone 2 in 2025-26 and 1,565 in 2024-25 (NJFW 2025-26 New Jersey Total Deer Harvest).
Where do you park for Paulinskill River WMA?
NJFW maps 8 unpaved parking lots and 9 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).
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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.