Winter 2025 Deer Management Closures

Duke Farms will be closed to the public on the following dates for deer management efforts: 

• Friday, January 24th 

• Saturday, January 25th 

• Friday, January 31st 

• Friday, February 7th 

• Saturday, February 8th 

• Friday, February 14th 

On these days, all trails, bike paths, the Orientation Center, and the Farm Barn Café will be closed to visitors. This temporary closure allows our team to focus on managing the deer population effectively within key areas of Duke Farms. While we love welcoming visitors to this exceptional space and sharing the legacy of Doris Duke, safety is always our top priority. These closures enable our team to conduct their work as efficiently and safely as possible. 

“For over 20 years, deer management has been a cornerstone of our conservation efforts at Duke Farms, which is home to numerous protected and endangered species,” said Executive Director Margaret Waldock.  “In Central New Jersey, managing deer density is a crucial tactic when it comes to restoring nature.”   

The success of this program is tracked by conducting herd population surveys in winter and comparing them with vegetation surveys in summer. Over the past twenty years, we’ve observed a significant rise in native plant cover, improving habitat quality, ecosystem health, and biodiversity. This thriving environment benefits nature and wildlife and also our visitors, who enjoy a lush, vibrant landscape from spring through fall. 

“Deer management is one of our most vital responsibilities at Duke Farms,” said Mike Bellaus, Manager of Habitat Restoration.  "Excessive deer populations hinder forest regeneration, preventing young trees from maturing into the towering giants that help define a thriving forest. By maintaining balanced deer populations, we ensure that visitors can experience the natural beauty of healthy, thriving ecosystems firsthand," continued Bellaus.

This year presented unique challenges to our deer management program, including extreme weather events and damage from fallen trees and downed fences. Despite these hurdles, we remain committed to balancing recreation and research. Our goal is to maintain a deer density of 16 per square mile. For context, prior to 2004, the density was as high as 200 deer per square mile. Through these efforts, we’ve seen a marked improvement in the health of the deer population and the overall ecosystem at Duke Farms. 

We appreciate your understanding and support as we continue this vital work to preserve the natural beauty and ecological integrity of Duke Farms. Thank you for being a part of our journey and stewardship of this land.