Forsythe Refuge Hiking Trails Close for Annual Deer Hunt

The annual deer hunt at the Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge in Galloway Township begins Wednesday, and most hiking trails will be closed.

Deer Hunt at Galloway Twp's Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge

From Wednesday, Dec 17th, through Friday, Dec 19th, the three-day shotgun deer hunt will be held at the Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge.

How Do Hunters Sign Up to Participate in the Hunt?

Hunters had until August 30, 2025, to claim their winning lottery permits. After that, any remaining unclaimed lottery permits were made available to the public until the end of hunting season.

All hunting is conducted following state and federal regulations, and there are additional refuge-specific regulations; it is the hunter’s responsibility to know the applicable regulations.

Are Hiking Trails Closed During the Hunt?

During the hunt, Acre's Woodland, Jenn’s, and Bristow trails will be closed to hiking during the hunt. The Eco Leads trail and Visitor Information Center will be open on these days.

Changes to the Traffic Patterns During the Hunt

The Wildlife Drive will temporarily operate as a two-way road instead of the usual one-way route on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday to accommodate the annual 3-day deer hunt to the north of refuge headquarters, which includes the back portion of the Drive.

A temporary turnaround, marked by a red star on the map (near Blue Goose Marker 13), will be in place. Visitors are urged to follow signage as they enjoy the refuge during this time, and to avoid the pink area on the map.

How Long Has There Been Hunting at Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge?

Since the refuge was created in 1939, hunting and fishing have been recreational activities available to the public.

How Do I Contact the Refuge With Questions or Concerns?

If you have any questions or concerns, call  (609) 652-1665 or email forsythe@fws.gov.