Community-Based Deer Management Grant Program

PURPOSE OF FUNDING 
To assist local communities and non-profits in efforts to address overabundant deer populations in New Jersey’s urban landscape through community-based deer management programs. Funding will be distributed to support these programs’ data and deer processing needs through three separate initiatives: the Deer Population Density Estimate/Survey, the Forest Health Survey, and the Venison Donation Program.

APPLICATION 
The application can be found here: Community-Based Deer Management Grant Program Application 2025

APPLICATION DEADLINE 
5:00 PM ET Friday, May 9, 2025

NOTIFICATION DATE
TBD

SOURCE OF FUNDING
$160,000.00 from the FY25 NJDEP State Appropriation

STATUTORY CITATION 
N.J.S.A. 13:lD-9 (q), (r), N.J.S.A. 13:9 et seq., N.J.A.C.7:27D

WHO IS ELIGIBLE 
To be eligible for the Grant Program, each applicant must either:

  • Be a county or local government entity or unit within the State of New Jersey, including municipal park systems; or
  • Be tax-exempt by determination of the Internal Revenue Service in accordance with Section 501(c)(3) and be authorized to operate in the State of New Jersey.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR CONSIDERATION 
All applicants must:

  • Be an organization in “good standing” with the State of New Jersey;
  • Have or facilitate the efforts of an established community-based deer management program;
  • Have the ability to accurately track expenses incurred towards the Grant Program;
  • Have the ability to submit required reporting and invoicing; and
  • Have a registered vendor identification number with the State’s Treasury system, if selected for an award.

Additional initiative-specific qualifications are outlined below:

  • Venison Donation Program
    • All deer must be processed at New Jersey Department of Health inspected butchers.
    • All venison must be donated to food banks operating in the State of New Jersey.

Interested parties may also make a separate request for signage designed to help inform the public of local community-based deer management programs.

  • Qualifications required to obtain signage for local deer management programs
    • Open to all entities identified under Who Is Eligible.
    • Applicants must own or otherwise be authorized to have signage installed at the identified locations.
    • If approved to receive signage, an applicant will not receive any direct funding. Instead, NJDEP will supply the signs and coordinate pick-up by the applicant.

GRANT LIMITATIONS 
As noted above, funding for signage will not be included as a financial award to the recipient. NJDEP is in possession of premade signs which will be made available upon request. An applicant may apply for funding under any or all of the three identified funding initiatives. The Department will have final determination of which initiatives and for how much they are funded for each applicant. The Department reserves the right not to award a grant if, in its sole discretion, no acceptable application is received, funding is no longer available, or for any other reason.

APPLICATION PROCEDURES 
Applications must be submitted via email to NJdeer@dep.nj.gov by 5:00 PM ET Friday, May 9, 2025, in order to be considered for an award.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION  
Visit the Community-Based Deer Management page here.

FOR MORE INFORMATION 
Jodi Powers
Supervising Wildlife Biologist
1 Eldridge Rd. Robbinsville, NJ 08691
609-223-6073
Jodi.Powers@dep.nj.gov