Seasonal Information
Hunting Season 2022-23
Remember: It's always a good idea to wear bright colors when in the woods during hunting season, no matter where you go. Stay safe!
The New Jersey Fall Bow Deer Season opens Saturday, September 10, 2022 (Early Zones Only, Regulation Sets #4-8). Click here for more information.
Click here for information on the New Jersey Bear Hunt. There is no bear hunt for 2022. In New Jersey, all state lands, including all state forests, parks, recreation areas, historic sites, natural areas and wildlife management areas, remain closed to hunting of black bears. Bears may be hunted on municipal, county, or federal land open to bear hunting and any private property.
Click here for the New York New Jersey Trail Conference's Top 10 List of No-Hunting Hike Areas In New York And New Jersey
Click here for info on deer and black bear seasons and regulations in New York.
Bear Mountain-Harriman and Sterling Forest State Parks
Hikers should be aware that hunting is allowed with a park permit in the area of Harriman west of Route I-87 and into Sterling Forest State Park. Other areas of Harriman-Bear Mountain are not open to hunting. For complete details, call the park at 845-351-5907 or view the Sterling Forest State Park Hunting Guide, which includes a map.
Essex County Parks Deer Hunt 2023
The Essex County Deer Management Program will be conducted in South Mountain Reservation and Hilltop Reservation on Tuesdays and Thursdays from Tuesday, January 10th to Thursday, February 16th. To maximize safety, the two reservations will be closed to the public on the days the Deer Management Program is being conducted.
The program will be conducted in South Mountain Reservation and Hilltop Reservation. The program will not be held in Eagle Rock Reservation.
South Mountain Reservation: January 10, 17, 24 and 31 and February 7 and 14
If there is inclement weather, makeup days will be held February 21 and 28
Hilltop Reservation: January 12, 19 and 26 and February 2, 9 and 16
If there is inclement weather, makeup days will be held February 23 and March 2
Click on the above link for more information.
Morris County Parks: 2021-22 White-Tailed Deer Management Program
Click on the above link for information about the Morris County Parks deer hunts.
Note firearms are allowed as follows:
Black River Facilities: Dec. 6 (Mon), 9 (Thu), 16 (Thu), Dec. 27-31, Jan. 6 (Thu), 13 (Thu)
Lewis Morris County Park: Dec. 8 (Wed), 10 (Fri), 15 (Wed), Dec. 27-31, Jan, 5 (Wed), 12 (Wed)
Get a Grip - Crampons and other winter traction options
Click on the above link for a short primer about traction devices from AMC Outdoors (published November 2017).
Winter Traction Devices - When do you need snowshoes? Gaiters? Crampons?
Click on the above link for an article from AMC Outdoors about different gear for your feet for winter adventure (published in February 2017).
Click on the above link for an article about different types of ticks, preventive measures, and more (published in May 2018).
Per an article in the Star Ledger from May 24, 2021:
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New Jersey’s rate of 40.8 cases per 100,000 for Lyme disease is near four times as high as the national rate of 10.8.
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New Jersey ranks third nationally in Lyme disease cases from 1990-2018, behind only New York and Pennsylvania. Nationally, 95% of cases are in the Northeast and Upper Midwest.
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Hunterdon, Warren and Sussex counties have produced the highest rates of Lyme disease in recent years. Morris County had the highest number of cases in 2019 with 426, followed by Monmouth County at 369 and Hunterdon County at 339. In 2018, Monmouth recorded 506; Morris had 472 and Hunterdon tallied 335.
How to never have a serious poison ivy rash again
Click on the above link for a YouTube video about preventing the rash and skin irritation associated with poison ivy.
Click on the above link for an article about bear safety or here for some additional information
The Science behind falling leaves in Autumn
Click on the above link for a short NPR podcast, Shortwave. Botanist Tanisha Williams explains why some leaves change color during fall and what shorter days and colder temperatures have to do with it.