Hunting Applications Open For Long Valley Deer Management Program

LONG VALLEY, NJ — Applications for deer management hunting licenses are now being accepted in an effort to help reduce and maintain the local white-tailed deer population.

The goal of the deer hunt is to keep deer populations low enough to allow for the restoration of native plant communities within the parks.

According to the Morris County Parks Commission (MCPC), studies have found that at high densities, deer browsing can have a negative impact on forest communities. Overbrowsing can eliminate understory herbaceous plants, shrubs, and saplings, leaving only adult canopy trees in the forest.

In Washington Township, the designated open space properties include Schooley's Mountain, Spring/Mission, Pheasant Drive and Reservoir/Drakestown.

To apply, send a digital copy of the 2022 Application to huntwtlt@gmail.com by Sunday, Aug. 28 and include a copy of your most recent New Jersey archery/hunting license. Applications must also include a copy of your insurance certificate.

All applicants must submit a background check to the Washington Township Police Department and mail two checks that will not be cashed unless accepted into the program. The first check will be for $50 to the Washington Township Land Trust, and the second will be for $30 to the township.

Visit the Hunting Stewardship page for more property details, rules and other information.

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," MCPC said.