2026 Deer Management Program

Hello Hilltoppers. Sorry I’ve been incommunicado the past few months — recovering from surgery. All is well, and now I’m tackling quite a backlog of Hilltop-related items. I’ll be sending multiple emails to you over the next few days; hoping that the additional inbox traffic will be helpful. Thank you, and wishing you all a healthy and Happy New Year!  TMT

2026 Deer Management Program — 

  • Essex County is continuing its annual sharpshooting program in the Hilltop and South Mountain Reservations
  • Thursdays are the designated Hilltop days
  • The Hilltop will be closed to visitors each Thursday starting January 8 and ending February 26 (see calendar below, program length may be shorter if the weather cooperates)
  • Goal is to reduce the Hilltop deer overpopulation, so that other wildlife species can survive and thrive
  • Here is a link to our webpage with more information:  https://www.hilltopconservancy.org/habitat/what-were-doing/reducing-the-deer-population/

2026 Deer management program calendar