Swan Bay Wildlife Management Area: deer hunting, parking and rules in Zone 24
Swan Bay Wildlife Management Area is 4,095 acres of New Jersey Fish and Wildlife land in Bass River and Washington (Burlington County), in Deer Management Zone 24 and 22. Hunters took 162 deer in Zone 24 in 2025-26, and the zone follows the Low regulation set for 2026-27. NJFW maps 2 unpaved parking lots and 2 boat ramps 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 refugeSwan Bay WMAZone lineParkingHighway
| Size | 4,095 acres (NJDEP), in 15 pieces |
|---|---|
| Municipality | Bass River and Washington |
| County | Burlington County |
| Deer Management Zone | Zone 24, Zone 22 |
| 2026-27 rules in Zone 24 | Low regulation set |
| Parking (NJFW) | 2 unpaved parking lots |
| NJFW public deer land list | Listed: no extra access permit needed |
| Deer taken in Zone 24, 2025-26 | 162 |
| Nearest town centers | Port Republic (under a mile), Egg Harbor (3 mi) and Bass River (4 mi) |
What has NJFW built on Swan Bay WMA?
NJFW's points of interest layer shows 2 unpaved parking lots and 2 boat ramps.
| What | Latitude | Longitude |
|---|---|---|
| Unpaved parking lot | 39.58803 | -74.51454 |
| Unpaved parking lot | 39.58067 | -74.51139 |
| Boat ramp | 39.58065 | -74.51116 |
| Boat ramp | 39.58060 | -74.51128 |
What other hunting areas cover Swan Bay WMA?
For spring turkey the WMA lies in Turkey Hunting Area 16 in NJFW's South region. For ducks and geese it is in the South waterfowl zone.
How many deer are taken around Swan Bay WMA?
NJFW counts deer by zone. Zone 24 gave 162 deer in 2025-26: 57 to bowhunters, 68 in the six-day firearm season, 4 in the permit shotgun season and 30 in the permit muzzleloader season.
| County | 2021-22 | 2022-23 | 2023-24 | 2024-25 | 2025-26 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Burlington County | 2,568 | 3,067 | 2,883 | 3,593 | 3,217 |
What rules apply on Swan Bay WMA?
Deer seasons follow Zone 24'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 Swan Bay WMA?
Highways within five miles: US 9. Distances to the nearest town centers: Port Republic under a mile, Egg Harbor 3 miles, Bass River 4 miles and Galloway 4 miles. Other WMAs nearby: Wading River (2 miles), Port Republic (3 miles), Hammonton Creek (9 miles). NJFW publishes a map of Swan Bay WMA.
Questions hunters ask
Can you hunt deer on Swan Bay WMA?
Yes. NJFW's 2026 Digest lists Swan Bay 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 Swan Bay WMA in?
Zone 24 (3,655 acres) and Zone 22 (411 acres). Hunters took 162 deer in Zone 24 in 2025-26 and 221 in 2024-25 (NJFW 2025-26 New Jersey Total Deer Harvest).
Where do you park for Swan Bay WMA?
NJFW maps 2 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 Burlington County?
Burlington County: 3,217 deer in 2025-26, 3,593 in 2024-25 and 2,568 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.