Livingston deer program closes parks Sept. 12 through February

Several Livingston parks will close to the public starting Sept. 12, when the township's annual Deer Management Program begins on township-owned land.

The bow-hunting-only program runs through Feb. 20, 2027, according to a township announcement. Hunters, who must be Livingston residents, operate from tree stands and shoot downward toward the ground. All harvested venison goes to local food banks that supply soup kitchens and shelters.

The program runs daily from half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset. Participants must log in and out with the Livingston Police Department before and after each outing and must follow all state hunting laws enforced by the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife.

Which parks are affected

The township listed these properties as closed to the public through Feb. 20:

Prospect Park
East Hills Park, including the Dog Park area
Northland Park
Eisenhower Parkway behind Northfield Fire Station
The area of Cornell Drive, Veer Terrace and Dougal Avenue
East Orange Water Property
Areas off Laurel Avenue

The area behind the Livingston Senior/Community Center on Hillside Avenue will also be restricted, but only from Friday afternoon through Saturday evening each week.

What neighbors should know

Residents living near the affected areas may see program participants parking on nearby streets. Those vehicles must display a special Vehicle Parking Permit in the front window. The Livingston Police Department will oversee public safety throughout the season.

Only bow hunting is permitted.

A separate county-run program in South Mountain Reservation and Hilltop Reservation has donated more than 60,000 pounds of venison to the Community FoodBank of New Jersey in Hillside since 2008, according to Essex News Daily. Livingston's township program donates to local food banks as well, though the township has not published specific totals.

More information is available at livingstonnj.org or at [email protected].