A group of hunters enjoys a relaxing break after a day of hunting at Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge. Photo by Lee Besseler, 11/19/2008, Great Swamp NWR, NJ.

During November 2008, Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge conducted its 35^th annual white-tailed deer hunt to manage the refuge's deer population and protect habitat.  Sixteen youths, accompanied by non-hunting supervisors, participated in a youth hunt on November 15.  On Youth Day, youths are permitted to harvest a deer of either sex.  The regular hunt was held from November 19-22 and 161 hunters, including youths, participated.  During the regular season, all hunters were required to take an antlerless deer before being issued a permit to harvest a buck, part of the refuge's successful "Earn-a-Buck" program.  The total harvest for the five-day hunt was 79 deer, the lowest take since the program began in 1974.  The refuge's deer herd has been reduced by about 60% with corresponding improvements in understory vegetation since "Earn-a-Buck" was implemented in 1999.  Six volunteers assisted the refuge biologist at the deer check station.