Summary of New Jersey Deer Baiting Regulations
It is permissible to use bait to attract, entice, or lure a deer within any distance of a baited area in New Jersey.
A person may be elevated in a standing tree or in a structure of any kind when using a baited area for hunting deer, and the baited area may be within any distance of the standing tree or structure.
A "baited area" means the presence of placed, exposed, deposited, distributed, or scattered agricultural products, salt, or other edible lure whatsoever capable of attracting, enticing, or luring deer.
Detailed Regulations
Pursuant to NJSA 23:4-24.2, no person shall kill, destroy, injure, shoot, shoot at, take, wound, or attempt to take, kill or wound a game bird or game animal, or have in possession or control any firearm or other weapon of any kind, while elevated in a standing tree, or in a structure of any kind within 300 feet of a baited area.
Pursuant to NJSA 23:4-24.3, a "baited area" shall mean the presence of placed, exposed, deposited, distributed, or scattered agricultural products, salt, or other edible lure whatsoever capable of attracting or enticing such birds or animals.
Growing and unharvested crops shall not be considered baiting or feeding game birds or game animals.
Pursuant to NJSA 23:4-24.4, the above restriction does NOT apply to deer hunting. Hunters targeting deer while elevated in a standing tree or in a structure of any kind may be within any distance of a baited area.
On national wildlife refuges, the distribution of bait and/or hunting over bait is specifically prohibited. Also, no Sunday hunting is permitted on these lands. In the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, Baiting is prohibited.
Baiting is allowed for deer hunting. Hunters may hunt for deer while in a tree, on the ground or in a structure and from any height and any distance from the bait pile. Hunters should check with the landowner or administrative agency before placing bait on their hunting area as baiting is not allowed on properties such as national wildlife refuges.
The use of bait is prohibited in Zone 61 (Atlantic and State Parks), Zone 66, and on all refuges.