Though the turkey population in the lower portion of the state was slow to build, about some 10 years back the DFW’s restoration efforts began to take hold. The lower portion of the state now plays host to some of New Jersey’s best turkey hunting. The state’s wild turkey population is currently estimated at 20,000 to 23,000 birds. More than 3,000 are taken each season. As the number of turkey hunters continues to increase, that number will only go up.

One of the best things that Garden State hunters have going for them is that during the spring season, young turkey hunters between the ages of 10 and 16 can hunt in any hunting period in the zone for which they draw a permit. Youth hunters aged 10 to under 14 must be under the supervision of a licensed adult who’s at least 21 years old. That adult does not need to buy a turkey permit, but does have to hold a regular hunting license.

This regulation applies until the youth takes a turkey. After taking a turkey, the youth is subject to the same hunting period and zone restrictions as any adult. This policy has brought a lot of young hunters into the sport. While other types of hunting are seeing a decline in the number of youngsters taking up the sport, turkey hunting has become very popular with new hunters.

A majority of New Jersey’s turkey hunters prefer the traditional way of stalking the birds and then calling them into shooting range. However, since the Garden State sees a lot of bowhunters, many turkey hunters have started using ground blinds, especially when hunting on private lands.

The use of modern portable ground blinds offers you a good way to keep out of sight, but still allows you to move around. If you’re bowhunting, this allows you to stand, draw the bow and bring your arrow to bear on a turkey bird from within the blind, out of sight of the birds. The blinds also keep down your scent, and this works very well, especially on days when the wind is shifting directions.

New Jersey is divided into 22 wild turkey hunting zones. Hunting permits for both the spring and fall seasons are by lottery. Each zone is given a quota, based on surveys of the turkey populations and what each zone can give up and still maintain its bird numbers.