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RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE PASSAIC COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION TO ADOPT THE DEER MANAGEMENT PROGRAM 2027 STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES AT RIFLE CAMP PARK IN THE BOROUGH OF WOODLAND PARK, PURSUANT TO N.J.S.A. 40:20-1.
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WHEREAS, the County of Passaic (hereafter "County") is a body politic and corporate pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:18-1 and vested with all rights contained therein; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:20-1 the Board of County Commissioners of the County of Passaic (hereafter "Board") is vested with managing the property, finances, and affairs of the County; and
WHEREAS, the County, through the Department of Parks and Recreation, manages the Passaic County Park System, which includes Rifle Camp Park, consisting of approximately one hundred sixty-nine (169) acres located in the Borough of Woodland Park; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Parks and Recreation has developed the Deer Management Program (hereafter "Program"), a facilitated, controlled deer hunt aimed at reducing the white-tailed deer population at Rifle Camp Park, in order to manage deer hunting on property managed by the County in an effective and ethical manner, with foremost consideration given to the safety of park visitors and hunters alike; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Parks and Recreation has prepared the Deer Management Program Standard Operating Procedures (hereafter "Standard Operating Procedures"), attached to and made part of this Resolution, which consist of various rules, safety guidelines, insurance requirements, hunting schedules, permit requirements, as well as the duties and responsibilities of the Passaic County Sheriff’s Office; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to the Standard Operating Procedures, the 2027 Hunt is scheduled to begin on January 2, 2027, and end on February 20, 2027, during which time hunting will only be permitted at Rifle Camp Park on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, and ten (10) season permits will be available; and
WHEREAS, during the 2027 Hunt, three (3) Saturdays will be designated as Mentored Hunting Dates, open only to mentored hunters, as follows: January 16, 2027, Mentored Youth Hunt; January 30, 2027, Mentored Disabled Persons Hunt; and February 13, 2027, Mentored Veterans Hunt, with Passaic County Sheriff’s Office coordinating the assignment of mentors for each; and
WHEREAS, the Standard Operating Procedures further provide that Rifle Camp Park will be fully closed to public access on hunt days, with the exception of approved hunters, and that the County may adjust hunting regulations, areas, boundaries, and scheduled hunting dates at any time during the season; and
WHEREAS, the Director of the Department of Parks & Recreation is recommending that the Board adopt the Program and the Standard Operating Procedures for the 2027 Hunt; and
WHEREAS, this matter was discussed at the November 4, 2026 meeting of the Public Works Committee and is being recommended to the Board for approval.
NOW, THEREFORE, LET IT BE RESOLVED, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:20-1, that the Passaic County Board of County Commissioners hereby adopts the Program and the Standard Operating Procedures for the 2027 Hunt at Rifle Camp Park in the Borough of Woodland Park, attached to and made part of this Resolution, as recommended by Director of the Department of Parks & Recreation.
LET IT BE FURTHER RESOLVED, that Department of Parks & Recreation and Passaic County Sheriff’s Office are authorized to administer the Program, including adjusting hunting regulations, areas, boundaries, and scheduled hunting dates during the season, in accordance with the Standard Operating Procedures.
LET IT BE FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Clerk to the Board, County Counsel, Director of the Department of Parks & Recreation, the Passaic County Sheriff or his designee, and the Director of the Board are authorized to take any other steps necessary to carry out the purpose of this Resolution.
KJB November 16, 2026