Firearm Deer Hunting Happening In Chester Parks

CHESTER, NJ — In an effort to control the white-tailed deer population in its nearly 700 acres of parkland, the deer hunting program in Chester Township has begun in select preserved parkland, according to officials.

The Morris County Parks Commission recently announced that the firearm portion of the season has begun this week at the Black River Facilities, including Willowwood, Bamboo Brook, Elizabeth D. Kay and Cooper Mill.

As a result, the parks and trails at those locations will be closed to the general public on the following dates: Dec. 8 and 15, Jan. 12 and 19.

According to the commission, deer management is an important tool to minimize the severe threats posed to the biodiversity of native flora and fauna by overabundant deer populations.

"In these parks, the goal is to maintain the deer population at levels that allow healthy habitats to continue to thrive," the MCPC said.

According to Chester Township, the hunting schedule varies depending on whether the park is run by the township, county, or state, with all hunters required to have a permit to attend.

Evans Family Forest Preserve, Tiger Brook Park, MacGregor Preserve, Highlands Ridge Park, Parker Rd. Preserve, and Tannersbrook Preserve are among the Township Parks.

The schedule is below for parks in the township, with no hunting allowed on Sundays, Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day:

• Permit bow – Nov. 7–Dec. 31, 2022
• Permit muzzleloader – Nov. 28, 2022 to Feb. 11, 2023
• Six day firearm – Dec. 5-10, 2022
• Permit shotgun – Dec. 5, 2022 to Feb. 11, 2023
• Winter bow – Jan. 3 to Feb. 18, 2023

The Black River Wildlife Management Area and Hacklebarney State Park are New Jersey's state parks in Chester, with limited bow hunting and no firearms hunting on Sundays, and no hunting at all on Christmas Day.

The county emphasizes that this hunt is intended to address a population control issue. It is not intended to provide opportunities for sport or recreation.

"While the MCPC understands that hunting is a polarizing issue, it is currently the most efficient and cost-effective method available for managing deer populations. We have experimented with a number of non-lethal control methods without success," the MCPC said.

To view the full county schedule, click here.