White-tailed Deer Management Program

On July 23, 2007, the Morris County Park Commission approved the Morris County Park System’s White-Tailed Deer Management Program for the 2007/2008 season. It was recommended that Old Troy County Park and James Andrews Memorial County Park should be added to the 14 parks already open for hunting.

The Park Commission's Program Summary Report, as prepared by Park Commission staff and reviewed prior to final approval, found that in the 2006/2007 season:

• 555 hunting access permits were issued
• 14 Park Commission facilities were included in the program
• 278 deer were harvested

The Park Commission is currently responsible for 17,100 acres. It recognizes that the recommended hunting program is the most efficient and effective way to reduce the population of white-tailed deer, but in accordance with the Wildlife/Forest Interaction Policy, will attempt non-lethal options when they are deemed as viable.

Hunters who hold a 2007/2008 permit and do not file an end-of-the-season harvest survey will not be eligible to receive a 2008/2009 permit.

Hunting on lands managed by the Park Commission is subject to all Park Commission rules and regulations.

About the Deer Management Program

History

• 1988/1993 - Received two Wildlife Advisory Committee reports prepared by appointed stakeholders representing a broad spectrum of interests ranging from the humane and non-lethal alternatives offered by the Humane Society of the United States to traditional wildlife management techniques of the NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife
• 1991 - First authorized hunting of white-tailed deer in County parklands in Black River County Park
• 1997-2000 - attempted an experimental immuno-contraception program at Frelinghuysen Arboretum in cooperation with the Humane Society of the United States

Contact the Park Commission

Questions and comments about the program should be directed to:

Morris County Park Commission, ATTN: Natural Resources Office
P.O. Box 1295
53 East Hanover Avenue
Morris Township, NJ, 07962-1295
973-326-7622
info@morrisparks.net