New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife

May 14, 2001

The New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife reminds sportsmen and women that summer hours for the Black River Wildlife Management Area hunter training range in Chester Township, Morris County will be in effect May 19 - September 2, 2001. Hours during this period will be 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday though Friday only.

"Hours were adjusted in 1999 in response to area residents' complaints about noise from the range," said Division Director Bob McDowell. "Located in a very populated area, the Black River range is extremely busy. As a result, it poses a challenge in terms of controlling noise levels for nearby residents, and even though we are utilizing reduced hours in the summer, the Division will still continue to explore alternative range sites throughout the Garden State and particularly in this region."

The range is closed on weekends from the third Saturday in May through the Sunday of Labor Day Weekend, as well as on the Christmas and Easter holidays. Operating hours are 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. during this summer period, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. for the rest of the year. Hunter education classes will continue to be held at the range and will not be affected by the new hours.

The Black River range is located on Rt. 513 (Dover-Chester Road) in Chester.