Salem River Wildlife Management Area: deer hunting, parking and rules in Zone 27
Salem River Wildlife Management Area is 2,758 acres of New Jersey Fish and Wildlife land in Salem County, in Deer Management Zone 27, 35 and 63. Hunters took 668 deer in Zone 27 in 2025-26, and the zone follows the Medium regulation set for 2026-27. NJFW maps 6 metal gates, 5 roadside pull-offs, 5 fishing access points and 3 wildlife viewing spots 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 wildlife refugeSalem River WMAZone lineParkingHighway
| Size | 2,758 acres (NJDEP), in 33 pieces |
|---|---|
| Municipality | Not given |
| County | Salem County |
| Deer Management Zone | Zone 27, Zone 35, Zone 63 |
| 2026-27 rules in Zone 27 | Medium regulation set |
| Parking (NJFW) | 5 roadside pull-offs and 3 unpaved parking lots |
| NJFW public deer land list | Listed: no extra access permit needed |
| Deer taken in Zone 27, 2025-26 | 668 |
| Nearest town centers | Woodstown (under a mile), Mannington (under a mile) and Salem (under a mile) |
What has NJFW built on Salem River WMA?
NJFW's points of interest layer shows 6 metal gates, 5 roadside pull-offs, 5 fishing access points, 3 wildlife viewing spots, 3 unpaved parking lots, 1 boat ramp and 1 restroom.
| What | Latitude | Longitude |
|---|---|---|
| Unpaved parking lot | 39.66905 | -75.46656 |
| Roadside pull-off | 39.66112 | -75.40950 |
| Unpaved parking lot | 39.64271 | -75.31395 |
| Roadside pull-off | 39.63935 | -75.31494 |
| Roadside pull-off | 39.63728 | -75.31706 |
| Roadside pull-off | 39.61649 | -75.40023 |
| Roadside pull-off | 39.61193 | -75.40483 |
| Unpaved parking lot | 39.60796 | -75.40783 |
| Metal gate | 39.66980 | -75.46951 |
| Fishing access point | 39.66971 | -75.46600 |
| Boat ramp | 39.66960 | -75.46616 |
| Restroom | 39.66937 | -75.46618 |
The first 12 of 24 points.
What other hunting areas cover Salem River 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 Salem River WMA?
NJFW counts deer by zone. Zone 27 gave 668 deer in 2025-26: 408 to bowhunters, 59 in the six-day firearm season, 64 in the permit shotgun season and 122 in the permit muzzleloader season.
| Zone | WMA acres in it | 2025-26 | 2024-25 | 2023-24 | 2022-23 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 27 | 2,523 | 668 | 707 | 647 | 627 |
| Zone 35 | 131 | 1,014 | 1,177 | 982 | 1,096 |
| Zone 63 | 103 | 144 | 174 | 160 | 142 |
| 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 Salem River WMA?
Deer seasons follow Zone 27'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 27 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 Salem River WMA?
Highways within five miles: US 40, NJ 45, I-295, NJ 49, NJ 40 and NJ 77. Distances to the nearest town centers: Woodstown under a mile, Mannington under a mile, Salem under a mile and Carneys Point under a mile. Other WMAs nearby: Featherbed Lane (6 miles), DOD Ponds (7 miles), Abbotts Meadow (9 miles). NJFW publishes a map of Salem River WMA.
Questions hunters ask
Can you hunt deer on Salem River WMA?
Yes. NJFW's 2026 Digest lists Salem River 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 Salem River WMA in?
Zone 27 (2,523 acres), Zone 35 (131 acres) and Zone 63 (103 acres). Hunters took 668 deer in Zone 27 in 2025-26 and 707 in 2024-25 (NJFW 2025-26 New Jersey Total Deer Harvest).
Where do you park for Salem River WMA?
NJFW maps 5 roadside pull-offs and 3 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).
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.