Green Acres officials say they don’t like the proposal to cull deer.
By: Steve Rauscher
MONTGOMERY Officials from the state Green Acres program informed the township Thursday that they don’t like a local proposal to seek bids from hunting clubs to shoot deer on township land as a means to cull the large herd.
"They said it didn’t conform with their regulations and they prefer … we use an individual permit system. Their concern is one of exclusivity," said township legal adviser Trishka Waterbury at Thursday night’s Township Committee meeting.
Despite that news and the disapproval of some local residents to shooting the deer, the Township Committee was considering introducing an ordinance Thursday night that would allow deer hunting on township-owned land. At press time, the ordinance had not been introduced.
The ordinance, recommended by the Township Wildlife Management Committee, proposes allowing hunting on eight tracts of township open space: the Folusiak property on Hollow Road, the former Ingersoll-Rand property off Montgomery Road, the Runyon Farm on Dutchtown-Harlingen Road, the Washington Well property on Route 518, the Gang property on Bridgepoint Road and woodlands near Pine Brae Country Club, Montgomery Park and Broadway off Route 601.
A total of 101 permits would be available to hunters who are at least 18 years old and take a township-administered safety course.
Green Acres officials are involved in the issue because the land to be used was purchased in part with Green Acres funding.
Ms. Waterbury indicated that Green Acres officials believe the hunting permits should be made available to the general public, not just to hunting clubs. That could include hunters from outside the township.
The township deer population was estimated this spring at 2,800, or about 86 per square mile. The state Division of Fish and Wildlife recommends maintaining a population of 12 to 20 deer per square mile.
The deer herd has been blamed for the destruction of forest undergrowth and township crops, as well as causing numerous car accidents.
"The farmers can’t get their crops to market," Committeeman Don Matthews said Tuesday. "There’s just a huge problem and we have to do something about it."
Several township residents present at Tuesday night’s Wildlife Management Committee meeting chided the members for what they said was a failure to consider nonlethal alternatives, such as sterilization vaccinations or roadside reflectors to reduce roadkill.
"It feels like this is a done deal," said Peggy Riccardi of Grandview Road. "You’ve already decided that you’re going to have hunting."
If introduced Thursday night, a public hearing would likely be held at the Township Committee’s next meeting, Sept. 20, prior to a final vote.

