Wildcat Ridge Wildlife Management Area: deer hunting, parking and rules in Zone 6
Wildcat Ridge Wildlife Management Area is 6,075 acres of New Jersey Fish and Wildlife land in Kinnelon, Boonton, Denville and Rockaway (Morris County), in Deer Management Zone 6. Hunters took 952 deer in Zone 6 in 2025-26, and the zone follows the Medium regulation set for 2026-27. NJFW maps 6 roadside pull-offs, 6 metal gates, 5 unpaved parking lots and 1 NJFW building 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 landMilitary (closed unless the base allows)Wildcat Ridge WMAZone lineParkingHighway
| Size | 6,075 acres (NJDEP), in 11 pieces |
|---|---|
| Municipality | Kinnelon, Boonton, Denville and Rockaway |
| County | Morris County |
| Deer Management Zone | Zone 6 |
| 2026-27 rules in Zone 6 | Medium regulation set |
| Parking (NJFW) | 6 roadside pull-offs and 5 unpaved parking lots |
| NJFW public deer land list | Listed: no extra access permit needed |
| Deer taken in Zone 6, 2025-26 | 952 |
| Nearest town centers | Rockaway (under a mile), Boonton (2 mi) and Mountain Lakes (2 mi) |
What has NJFW built on Wildcat Ridge WMA?
NJFW's points of interest layer shows 6 roadside pull-offs, 6 metal gates, 5 unpaved parking lots, 1 NJFW building, 1 boat ramp, 1 restroom, 1 wood gate and 1 information kiosk.
| What | Latitude | Longitude |
|---|---|---|
| Unpaved parking lot | 40.98518 | -74.48099 |
| Unpaved parking lot | 40.98514 | -74.48029 |
| Roadside pull-off | 40.98101 | -74.49526 |
| Roadside pull-off | 40.97552 | -74.49094 |
| Roadside pull-off | 40.96657 | -74.47537 |
| Unpaved parking lot | 40.96267 | -74.45770 |
| Roadside pull-off | 40.96184 | -74.44633 |
| Unpaved parking lot | 40.95658 | -74.47692 |
| Unpaved parking lot | 40.95455 | -74.47901 |
| Roadside pull-off | 40.95436 | -74.47912 |
| Roadside pull-off | 40.93949 | -74.49241 |
| Restroom | 40.98510 | -74.48131 |
The first 12 of 22 points.
What other hunting areas cover Wildcat Ridge WMA?
For spring turkey the WMA lies in Turkey Hunting Area 7 in NJFW's North region. For ducks and geese it is in the North waterfowl zone.
How many deer are taken around Wildcat Ridge WMA?
NJFW counts deer by zone. Zone 6 gave 952 deer in 2025-26: 711 to bowhunters, 102 in the six-day firearm season, 44 in the permit shotgun season and 94 in the permit muzzleloader season.
| Zone | WMA acres in it | 2025-26 | 2024-25 | 2023-24 | 2022-23 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 6 | 6,071 | 952 | 769 | 733 | 886 |
| County | 2021-22 | 2022-23 | 2023-24 | 2024-25 | 2025-26 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morris County | 2,115 | 2,388 | 2,179 | 2,130 | 2,432 |
What rules apply on Wildcat Ridge WMA?
Deer seasons follow Zone 6'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 Wildcat Ridge WMA?
Highways within five miles: I-80, NJ 23, I-287, US 46, NJ 15 and NJ 10. Distances to the nearest town centers: Rockaway under a mile, Boonton 2 miles, Mountain Lakes 2 miles and Denville 2 miles. Other WMAs nearby: Rockaway River (6 miles), Weldon Brook (9 miles), Sparta Mountain (9 miles). NJFW publishes a map of Wildcat Ridge WMA.
Questions hunters ask
Can you hunt deer on Wildcat Ridge WMA?
Yes. NJFW's 2026 Digest lists Wildcat Ridge 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 Wildcat Ridge WMA in?
Zone 6. Hunters took 952 deer in Zone 6 in 2025-26 and 769 in 2024-25 (NJFW 2025-26 New Jersey Total Deer Harvest).
Where do you park for Wildcat Ridge WMA?
NJFW maps 6 roadside pull-offs and 5 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 Morris County?
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
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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.