What the All-Around Sportsman License Covers
New Jersey's All-Around Sportsman License lets you hunt and fish in the state with a single permit. It combines a hunting license, a fishing license, and the required stamps into one document, so you do not need to buy separate licenses for each activity. The license is valid for one year from the date of purchase.
This license covers freshwater fishing, saltwater fishing (in state waters), and hunting for most game species during their respective seasons. You still need to follow all state hunting and fishing regulations — seasons, bag limits, gear restrictions, and area closures all apply the same way they would if you held individual licenses.
The All-Around Sportsman License is the broadest option New Jersey offers. If you plan to both hunt and fish during the year, it costs less than buying a hunting license and a fishing license separately.
Key Takeaways
- The All-Around Sportsman License covers freshwater fishing, saltwater fishing, and hunting for most game species in one annual permit.
- You can purchase the license online through the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife website, by mail, or in person at license agents throughout the state.
- The license is valid for one calendar year and must be on your person whenever you hunt or fish.
- Hunting with this license still requires you to wear blaze orange, follow season dates, and respect bag limits for each species.
- Saltwater fishing under this license is limited to state waters; fishing in federal waters requires a separate federal permit.
Cost and Where to Buy
The All-Around Sportsman License costs a set fee that varies slightly depending on your residency status. New Jersey residents pay one rate; non-residents pay a higher rate. The exact dollar amount changes annually, so check the Division of Fish and Wildlife website for the current year's price before you purchase.
You can buy the license in three ways. The fastest is online through the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife's licensing portal — you receive a digital copy immediately and can print it or show it on your phone. You can also mail an application with payment to the Division, though this takes longer. License agents — sporting goods stores, bait shops, and some hardware stores — sell licenses in person and can answer questions about local conditions and regulations.
The license is valid for one calendar year from the date you purchase it, not from January 1. If you buy it in June, it expires the following June.
What You Can Hunt and Fish For
The All-Around Sportsman License covers most of New Jersey's game species, but not all. You can hunt deer, turkey, waterfowl, upland game birds (pheasant, quail, grouse), and small game (rabbit, squirrel, raccoon, opossum). You can fish for freshwater species including largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, walleye, catfish, and panfish, and saltwater species including striped bass, bluefish, flounder, and others in state waters.
Some species require additional stamps or permits beyond the license itself. For example, hunting deer requires a deer hunting license or permit on top of your All-Around Sportsman License. Turkey hunting requires a turkey hunting license. Waterfowl hunting requires a federal duck stamp and a state waterfowl stamp. Check the Division of Fish and Wildlife website for the complete list of what stamps or permits each species needs.
The license does not cover hunting migratory birds other than waterfowl, or fishing in private ponds without the landowner's permission. It also does not cover saltwater fishing in federal waters beyond state jurisdiction — that requires a separate federal saltwater fishing permit.
Seasons and Regulations You Must Follow
Holding an All-Around Sportsman License does not mean you can hunt or fish year-round. Each species has specific seasons set by the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife. Deer season runs at different times depending on the weapon (bow, shotgun, rifle) and the zone you hunt in. Turkey season is much shorter. Freshwater fishing seasons vary by species and location. Saltwater fishing has fewer seasonal closures but still has rules about what you can keep.
Bag limits — the number of fish or game you can take per day — are set for each species and sometimes vary by location. You must wear blaze orange while hunting most game (not required for some waterfowl hunting). You must use legal gear for the season and species. Fishing has minimum and maximum size limits for most species. The Division publishes a hunting and fishing digest each year with all seasons, limits, and gear rules; order one free or read it online before you go out.
Violating seasons, bag limits, or gear rules can result in fines, loss of your license, and confiscation of equipment. Check current regulations before each trip.
Saltwater Fishing Limits and Federal Waters
The All-Around Sportsman License covers saltwater fishing in New Jersey state waters — roughly the first three miles offshore. If you fish from a party boat, charter boat, or private boat beyond state waters into federal waters (the Exclusive Economic Zone), you need a separate federal saltwater fishing permit. Some charter and party boats handle this for you; others require you to have it before boarding.
State saltwater fishing has its own size and bag limits for species like striped bass, bluefish, summer flounder, and others. These limits change year to year based on fish populations. The Division publishes updated saltwater regulations each spring. If you fish from a boat, the boat's captain is responsible for knowing and following these limits, but you are responsible for knowing what you can legally keep.
Hunting License and Stamp Requirements Beyond the Base License
The All-Around Sportsman License is your base hunting permit, but several game species require additional licenses or stamps. Deer hunting requires a deer hunting license or a special permit (like a bow permit or a muzzleloader permit) depending on the season and weapon. Turkey hunting requires a turkey hunting license. Waterfowl hunting requires both a federal duck stamp (purchased from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service) and a New Jersey state waterfowl stamp.
These additional permits and stamps cost extra and are purchased separately. You must carry all of them — the All-Around Sportsman License plus any species-specific licenses or stamps — while hunting. The Division website lists which species require what additional permits and where to buy them.
How to Carry and Display Your License
You must have your All-Around Sportsman License on your person whenever you hunt or fish. You can carry a printed copy, or most states now allow you to show a digital copy on your phone. If you bought the license online, download and print it, or take a screenshot of the digital version. If you bought it from a license agent, they give you a printed copy.
Game wardens and conservation officers can ask to see your license at any time. If you cannot produce it, you can be cited for hunting or fishing without a license, even if you actually own one. Keep it in a waterproof pocket or bag so it does not get damaged in wet conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a separate license if I only want to hunt or only want to fish?
No. If you only hunt, you can buy a hunting license alone. If you only fish, you can buy a fishing license alone. The All-Around Sportsman License is the best value only if you plan to do both during the year.
Can I buy an All-Around Sportsman License for someone else as a gift?
Yes, but the license must be registered to the person who will use it. You can purchase it and have it mailed or printed in their name. Some license agents can help you do this in person.
What happens if I lose my license while I'm out hunting or fishing?
Contact the Division of Fish and Wildlife to report it lost and request a replacement. You can usually get a duplicate printed or mailed quickly. Until you have a replacement, you should not hunt or fish, because you cannot show proof of a valid license if stopped.
Does the All-Around Sportsman License work in other states?
No. This license is valid only in New Jersey. If you hunt or fish in another state, you need that state's license. Some states have reciprocal agreements that reduce fees for residents of other states, but you still need a separate license for each state.
Can I fish in saltwater beyond state waters with this license?
No. Saltwater fishing beyond three miles offshore (in federal waters) requires a separate federal saltwater fishing permit. If you fish from a charter or party boat that goes into federal waters, ask the captain whether they provide the permit or whether you need to buy one before boarding.