5 Months of Deer Hunting Coming to County Parks in Mendham, Chester

In an effort to cull white-tailed deer and “minimize severe threats posed to the biodiversity of native flora and fauna,” the Morris County Park Commission is continuing its annual deer management program and has released a hunting schedule.

That schedule includes a total of 21 weeks of active hunting allowed in five county-owned parks that are either all or partially in the Mendhams and Chesters. 

According to its website, the Morris County Park Commission is “responsible for the stewardship of over 18,000 acres of land. It recognizes that a controlled hunting program is the most efficient and effective way available to minimize the severe threats posed to the biodiversity of native flora and fauna by overabundant white-tailed deer populations.”

The scheduled is as follows:

• Black River County Park in Chester Township and Bedminster, Sept. 29 to Oct. 31, Saturdays not permitted; Nov. 1 to Dec. 24; Dec. 26 to Dec. 31; Jan. 1 to Feb. 21, Saturdays permitted and will allow permit shotgun, 6-day firearm, permit muzzleloader hunting on Dec. 3, 10, 13, 17; Jan. 7, 14, 17, 21, 26, 28; and Feb. 4 and 11. Park and trails will be closed on those specific days.
• Mount Paul Memorial County Park in Chester Township and Mendham Township, from Sept. 13 to Oct. 31; Nov. 1 to Dec. 24; Dec. 26 to Dec. 31; and Jan. 1 to Feb. 21. Saturday hunting is permitted.
• Almatong Wellfield (Morris County MUA Property) in Roxbury, Randolph and Chester Township, Sept. 15 to Oct. 31; Nov. 3 to Dec. 24; Dec. 26 to Dec. 31; and Jan. 1 to Feb. 20. No Saturday hunting permitted.
• Lewis Morris County Park North in Harding, Mendham Township and Morris Township from Sept. 15 to Oct. 31, Saturday hunting not permitted; Nov. 1 to Dec. 24; Dec. 26 to Dec. 31; Jan. 1 to Feb. 21, Saturday hunting permitted and will allow permit shotgun, 6-day firearm, permit muzzleloader hunting on Dec. 3, 10, 13, 17; Jan. 7, 14, 17, 21, 26, 28; and Feb. 4 and 11. Park and trails will be closed on those specific days.
• Lewis Morris County Park South in Harding, Mendham Township and Morris Township will allow permit shotgun, 6-day firearm, permit muzzleloader hunting on Dec. 3, 10, 13, 17; Jan. 7, 14, 17, 21, 26, 28; and Feb. 4 and 11. Park and trails will be closed on those specific days.

Sunday hunting is prohibited by state law. Hunters are required to apply for a permit, which will enable them to access a specific park on the dates specified, and are limited to one bow permit and one firearm permit each season.

Find out more about the Deer Management Program here.