South Branch Wildlife Management Area: deer hunting, parking and rules in Zone 12
South Branch Wildlife Management Area is 1,794 acres of New Jersey Fish and Wildlife land in Hunterdon County, Morris County and Somerset Counties County, in Deer Management Zone 12 and 8. Hunters took 2,998 deer in Zone 12 in 2025-26, and the zone follows the High regulation set for 2026-27. NJFW maps 3 unpaved parking lots, 1 roadside pull-off, 1 NJFW building and 1 metal gate 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 landSouth Branch WMAZone lineParkingHighway
| Size | 1,794 acres (NJDEP), in 20 pieces |
|---|---|
| Municipality | Not given |
| County | Hunterdon County, Morris County and Somerset Counties County |
| Deer Management Zone | Zone 12, Zone 8 |
| 2026-27 rules in Zone 12 | High regulation set |
| Parking (NJFW) | 3 unpaved parking lots and 1 roadside pull-off |
| NJFW public deer land list | Listed: no extra access permit needed |
| Deer taken in Zone 12, 2025-26 | 2,998 |
| Nearest town centers | High Bridge (under a mile), Flemington (2 mi) and Califon (2 mi) |
What has NJFW built on South Branch WMA?
NJFW's points of interest layer shows 3 unpaved parking lots, 1 roadside pull-off, 1 NJFW building, 1 metal gate and 1 information kiosk.
| What | Latitude | Longitude |
|---|---|---|
| Unpaved parking lot | 40.81449 | -74.72878 |
| Unpaved parking lot | 40.66398 | -74.89567 |
| Roadside pull-off | 40.51374 | -74.79434 |
| Unpaved parking lot | 40.51334 | -74.79468 |
| NJFW building | 40.53255 | -74.80766 |
| Information kiosk | 40.51355 | -74.79430 |
| Metal gate | 40.51298 | -74.79474 |
What other hunting areas cover South Branch WMA?
For spring turkey the WMA lies in Turkey Hunting Area 9 (76%) and Turkey Hunting Area 11 (24%) in NJFW's North region. For ducks and geese it is in the North waterfowl zone.
How many deer are taken around South Branch WMA?
NJFW counts deer by zone. Zone 12 gave 2,998 deer in 2025-26: 2,094 to bowhunters, 229 in the six-day firearm season, 485 in the permit shotgun season and 184 in the permit muzzleloader season.
| Zone | WMA acres in it | 2025-26 | 2024-25 | 2023-24 | 2022-23 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 12 | 912 | 2,998 | 3,493 | 2,932 | 3,088 |
| Zone 8 | 883 | 2,581 | 2,567 | 2,496 | 2,711 |
| County | 2021-22 | 2022-23 | 2023-24 | 2024-25 | 2025-26 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hunterdon County | 5,618 | 5,941 | 5,700 | 6,590 | 6,254 |
| Morris County | 2,115 | 2,388 | 2,179 | 2,130 | 2,432 |
What rules apply on South Branch WMA?
Deer seasons follow Zone 12's High 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 South Branch WMA?
Highways within five miles: US 202, I-78, NJ 31, US 22, US 206 and I-287. Distances to the nearest town centers: High Bridge under a mile, Flemington 2 miles, Califon 2 miles and Clinton 2 miles. Other WMAs nearby: Alexauken Creek (9 miles), Capoolong Creek (9 miles), Lockatong (13 miles). NJFW publishes a map of South Branch WMA.
Questions hunters ask
Can you hunt deer on South Branch WMA?
Yes. NJFW's 2026 Digest lists South Branch 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 South Branch WMA in?
Zone 12 (912 acres) and Zone 8 (883 acres). Hunters took 2,998 deer in Zone 12 in 2025-26 and 3,493 in 2024-25 (NJFW 2025-26 New Jersey Total Deer Harvest).
Where do you park for South Branch WMA?
NJFW maps 3 unpaved parking lots and 1 roadside pull-off, 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 Hunterdon County and Morris County?
Hunterdon County: 6,254 deer in 2025-26, 6,590 in 2024-25 and 5,618 in 2021-22; Morris County: 2,432 deer in 2025-26, 2,130 in 2024-25 and 2,115 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.