Just 26 miles as the crow flies from New York City, Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge attracts an estimated 185,000 visitors a year to its 7,855 acres. The refuge hosts a four-day muzzleloader and shotgun deer hunt and a one-day youth deer hunt each year, in accordance with state and refuge-specific regulations. In addition to providing recreation, the hunts conserve habitat for species such as forest-nesting birds. All hunters must obtain a refuge hunting permit, in addition to a New Jersey state license, before scouting and hunting.

2026 Deer Hunt Permits go on sale September 9th, 2026; a limited number of 2026 September Canada Goose hunt permits go on sale in August 2026. Refuge permits and refuge-specific regulations can be found at https://greatswamp.recaccess.com