Annual Deer Cull Will Return In Livingston With Bow Hunting: See Dates, Places

LIVINGSTON, NJ — Livingston’s deer management program – which involves bow hunting on several town-owned properties – will return for another year.

This year’s cull will start on Sept. 15, 2025 and will continue until Feb. 21, 2026. Here’s what to know about the program, according to a municipal advisory:

“Livingston’s Deer Management Program is held during the regular New Jersey state hunting season. Only bow hunting is allowed, and all hunters shoot from tree stands downward toward the ground. The lands used will be restricted, and the public is prohibited from accessing the property throughout the time the deer management program is active, through February 21.”

This year, the cull will take place on several parcels of municipally owned land, including Prospect Park; East Hills Park (the area in which the Dog Park is located); Northland Park; Eisenhower Parkway behind Northfield Fire Station; the area of Cornell Drive, Veer Terrace and Dougal Avenue; East Orange Water Property, and areas off of Laurel Avenue. The area behind the Livingston Senior/Community Center on Hillside Avenue will also be affected each Friday afternoon through Saturday evening only.

Residents may see hunters parking on streets near the designated areas. Their vehicles must display a special “Vehicle Parking Permit” in the front window, authorities said.

The program provides venison collected as part of the program to local food banks, Livingston town officials noted.

Participants are required to log in and out with the Livingston Police Department prior to and upon completion of their activities on the properties. They must also comply with all state hunting season laws enforced by the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife.

More information can be found on the town website or by contacting the Livingston Police Department at deerhunt@livingstonnj.org, the township said.

Supporters of deer culls have argued that they're needed to help keep the deer population at a reasonable level. However, some environmental and animal rights advocates in Essex County have criticized deer culls in recent years, alleging that they are inhumane and that there are better ways of controlling the deer population.

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