Winter Deer Hunting At 2 Westfield Parks Approved

WESTFIELD, NJ — Deer hunting was approved at two Westfield parks by the Town Council to address the overpopulation of white-tailed deer.

The Westfield Town Council approved the resolution authorizing the hunt at its Tuesday night meeting.

This year's program starts on or about Dec. 1 and runs through Feb. 16, 2025, within the approved areas of Brightwood Park and a small section of Tamaques Park.

The hunt is due to "the overpopulation of white-tailed deer in Brightwood Park and a small section of Tamaques Park identified by Union County has resulted in over browsing of native vegetation in this area, damage to greens and ornamental vegetation and created safety hazards for the public," according to the resolution.

This will be Westfield's sixth year participating in the Union County Deer Management Program.

The Winter 2024-2025 Deer Management Control Program administered by Union County will use the services of those who are licensed crossbow hunters.

"Forest ecologists recommend that white-tailed deer populations in Northeast hardwood forests should not exceed an overwintering density of 20 deer per square mile in order for deer browse to not impair forest health. In areas where the forest health is already compromised, deer density needs to be as low as 5 per square mile," according to Union County.

Hunters are able to keep deer for personal consumption or to donate to the needy and homeless through the Community FoodBank of NJ. A total of 3,081 pounds of processed venison was donated by the agent hunters during the 2022/23 season, which provided around 12,300 meals to the needy in the Union County community, according to the county.

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