Deer Management Program Planned For Long Valley Park

LONG VALLEY, NJ — Schooley’s Mountain County Park is planned as one county site hosting the white-tailed deer management program during the 2021-2022 season, for two separate segments of the park.

In a news release from Washington Township, the township commented that the yearly program helps to “reduce and maintain white-tailed deer populations at levels that will allow for the re-establishment of native plant communities within the parks.”

Hunters that would like to participate should contact the Morris County Park Commission by the end of July.

No hunting is permitted on Saturdays in Schooley’s Mountain Park’s “core” section, with dates set for fall bow hunting in that section between Sept. 13 and Oct. 29; permit bow from Nov. 1 through Dec. 24 and again Dec. 27 through 31; and winter bow from Jan.3, 2022 and Feb. 18.

Saturday hunting is allowed in the “outer” section of Schooley’s Mountain Park, with dates for fall bow hunting in that section between Sept. 11 and Oct. 29; permit bow hunting from Oct. 30 through Dec. 24, then again Dec. 27 through 31; and winter bow on Jan. 1, 2022 through Feb. 19.

There are no dates set for firearms season in Schooley's Mountain Park, with Sunday hunting in any of the Morris County Parks disallowed under New Jersey’s laws.

• Black River facilities in Chester Township and Bedminster, from Sept. 11 through Oct. 29 for fall bow hunting; Oct. 30 through Dec. 24, then again Dec. 27 through 31 for permit bow hunting; and Jan. 1, 2022 through Feb. 19. On the following days in December 2021 and January 2022, parks and trails will be closed for firearms season: Dec. 6, Dec. 9, Dec. 16, Jan. 6 and Jan. 13. Saturday hunting is allowed here.
• Mount Paul Memorial County Park in Chester and Mendham Townships, from Sept. 11 through Oct. 29 for fall bow hunting; Oct. 30 through Dec. 24; then again Dec. 27 through 31 for permit bow hunting; and Jan. 1 through Feb. 19, 2022 for winter bow. Saturday hunting is permitted.
• Alamatong Wellfield in Roxbury, Randolph and Chester Township, from Sept. 11 through Oct. 29 for fall bow hunting; Oct. 30 through Dec. 24; then again Dec. 27 through 31 for permit bow hunting; and Jan. 1 through Feb. 19, 2022 for winter bow. Saturday hunting is permitted.
• James Andrews Memorial Park in Randolph from Sept. 11 through Oct. 29 for fall bow hunting; Oct. 30 through Dec. 24; then again Dec. 27 through 31 for permit bow hunting; and Jan. 1 through Feb. 19, 2022 for winter bow. Saturday hunting is permitted.
• Lewis Morris County Park in Harding, Mendham Township and Morris, Saturdays are not permitted for fall bow hunting between Sept. 13 and Oct. 29. During permit hunting and winter bow, it’s allowed through Oct. 30 through Dec. 24 and again Dec. 27 through 31, then Jan. 1, 2022 through Feb. 19 for winter bow. On the following days in December 2021 and January 2022, parks and trails will be closed for firearms season: Dec. 8, Dec. 10, Dec. 15, Jan. 5 and Jan. 12.

The entire deer management program schedule is available here.

For full details about the program from the Park Commission, including information for non-hunters, maps and more, click here.

Questions or comments about this story? Have a news tip? Contact me at: jennifer.miller@patch.com.