Deer Management / Hunting Policy
RULES FOR OBTAINING PERMISSION
The Rancocas Conservancy does not permit hunting of any kind on its properties or preserves except for planned and approved deer management purposes and only with written permission by, and at the discretion of, the Board of Trustees. Permission to conduct deer management activities on Rancocas Conservancy preserves and properties may be granted following approval by the Board of Trustees. The following preserves DO NOT allow deer management hunting: Beechwoods, Greenwood Branch,and Dixontown.
Deer managers may make written requests by June 30th each calendar year. These requests should be mailed to:
Rancocas Conservancy, PO Box 2188, Vincentown, NJ 08088
Attn: Deer Management Program
Requests will not be accepted by telephone or e-mail. Responses by the Board will be provided on or before September 15th each calendar year.
As of 2024, deer managers are required to become members of the conservancy and to donate a minimum of $30 yearly, as well as to volunteer for work projects on the property as requested by the Board.
Deer managers wishing to return and participate in management the following year must fill out the Deer Management Survey and mail it to the Rancocas Conservancy, PO Box 2188, Vincentown, NJ 08088, including a summary of their volunteer activities.
Deer managers must provide proof of $1 million excess liability insurance for the entirety of the management season. A copy of your insurance should be mailed to the Rancocas Conservancy each time your insurance is renewed. Permission is revoked during any time that insurance is not in effect.
Permission to participate in deer management is dependent upon strict adherence to the rules below.
DEER MANAGEMENT RULES
All deer management is by bow (archery) only.
Firearms are prohibited at all times.
Deer managers must maintain $1 million in excess liability insurance for the duration of the management season. If your insurance is due to lapse during the season, you are required to provide proof of insurance renewal prior to the lapse. A copy of your insurance should be mailed or faxed or e-mailed to the Rancocas Conservancy each time insurance is renewed. This is your responsibility and the Rancocas Conservancy will not request updates during the season. Permission is revoked during any time that insurance is not in effect. Anyone found to be participating in deer management activities without currently valid insurance will be permanently excluded from future participation.
Trapping of any kind is prohibited.
Concealed firearms are prohibited.
Hunting of game birds or any mammal other than deer is prohibited.
Absolutely NO permanent or semi-permanent blinds or structure (wooden tree stands, ground blinds of sticks and debris, etc.) are permitted. Portable tree stands are permitted, but they are to be removed at the conclusion of the deer management season.
No cutting of trees, saplings, or shrubs is permitted except clippings in close proximity to tree stands, of small twigs of less than one inch in diameter which would not harm the tree or shrub).
No trail construction is permitted. Trails that are designed and installed by the Rancocas Conservancy may be maintained as part of your volunteer service.
No use of motorized vehicles of any kind is permitted at any time on the property. Small pull carts may be used to remove harvested deer.
The Rancocas Conservancy Permission Letter (bottom portion) must be in your possession at all times while hunting (place it in your license fold).
The Rancocas Conservancy Permission Letter (top portion) must be clearly displayed on the dashboard of any vehicle parked at or near the property during management activities.
Deer managers are required to be courteous and polite at all times to neighbors or other guests at the preserve. All Rancocas Conservancy preserves remain open to the public for passive, non-motorized recreation during the hunting season. Any problems or concerns are to be forwarded immediately to the Rancocas Conservancy for resolution
Violation of any rule will result in permanent exclusion from deer management at Rancocas Conservancy preserves.
Revised and adopted by the Board of Trustees January 16, 2021
