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Morris County parks report deer densities well above ecological carrying capacity

5550213 · July 9, 2025

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Summary

A county parks report presented deer counts expressed as deer per square mile; several parks exceeded the stated acceptable carrying capacity of 10–15 deer per square mile, with one park at 192 deer/sq mi.

Deborah Litch, Clerk of the Board, read a Park Commission report summarizing deer-density surveys the commission conducted using infrared and preliminary surveys.

The commission reported deer densities at several county parks. Reported figures included 192 deer per square mile at Mount Paul Memorial County Park (Mendham and Chester townships), 53 deer per square mile at the Frelinghuysen Arboretum in Morris Township, 30 deer per square mile at Brook and Willowwood Arboretum in Chester Township, 48 deer per square mile at Torren County Park (Denville and Mountain Lakes areas), and 23 deer per square mile at Lewis Morris Park (Morris, Mendham and Harding townships). The report said acceptable carrying capacity for natural forest regeneration is 10 to 15 deer per square mile.

The Park Commission is using this survey data to inform management of natural resources; the report did not include immediate policy decisions such as culling, permit changes or funding allocations.