Bow Hunters Take Aim At Deer In Livingston: 2024 Cull Begins

LIVINGSTON, NJ — Livingston’s deer management program – which involves bow hunting of deer on several town-owned properties – has begun for 2024.

This year’s cull began on Sept. 14 and will continue until Feb. 15. 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 15.”

The program is open to Livingston residents only. It runs during the day, beginning 30 minutes before sunrise and ending 30 minutes after sunset each day.

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

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.

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.

Essex County also conducts a separate yearly deer cull, which took place at South Mountain Reservation (Maplewood, Millburn and West Orange) and Hilltop Reservation (Cedar Grove, North Caldwell and Verona) for 2024.

The hunt – which county officials say is “geared toward revitalizing the forest ecology by reducing the number of deer” – has seen criticism in recent years from some environmental and animal rights activists. See Related: Essex County Deer Cull Results: 169 Killed At South Mountain, Hilltop

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