High deer count in survey means new round of culling

Aerial census finds nearly 500 deer within township lines, about 150 more than target level.

By: Rachel Silverman
   The results of a township-wide deer count are in, placing the number of area deer significantly above the stated goal — and indicating another round of culling will follow.
   According to the recent study, conducted by the Davis Aviation Co., there are currently 493 deer inside township lines, and another 85 inhabiting border areas.
   "These additional 85 may wander in and out," company owner Larry Davis said, "depending on the time of day and weather conditions."
   Regardless of the 85 in question, the total deer count is substantially higher than the township target goal of 340.
   As a result, township residents should be prepared for wildlife management group White Buffalo to institute another period of culling.
   "It would be reasonable to assume that, given the results of the infrared deer count, White Buffalo will be returning this year," Township Administrator Jim Pascale said in an e-mail message.
   A renewed program of deer culling could start as early as next month, according to Township Committeeman Bill Enslin, who anticipated the program will begin "after the hunting season, around February or March."
   The deer count, executed in mid-December, was made from a single-engine airplane flying around the township for two days. From an altitude of 1,500 feet, Mr. Davis used video-tracking equipment to record and map the animals.
   He then employed infrared imagery, coupled with his knowledge of deer behavioral patterns, to tally up the number of deer.
   The research report, which cost $17,500, was commissioned to give an accurate picture of the total area deer population.
   The township Deer Program Evaluation Committee called such data "a vital adjunct of proper planning and herd management" and, in a document presented to the Township Committee, called for counts on an annual basis.
   The township originally commissioned a second, ground-based study to run simultaneously, the results of which were meant to cross-check the aerial study.
   This additional count, however, will not be carried out.
   "We feel we have enough information (the infrared count) to continue on with the fifth year of the township’s deer-management program," Mr. Pascale said.
   The deer population has been a source of ongoing concern in the area, as many have spoken out about mounting auto accidents, vegetation erosion and incidents of Lyme disease.
   When the program began in 2001, there were estimated to be around 1,600 deer in the township. There were 342 vehicle-deer accidents in the year 2000 alone.
   To control the deer, the committee commissioned White Buffalo to begin a five-year culling operation. The township later added an immunocontraceptive program and granted sport-hunting permits in specific, contained areas.
   Mayor Phyllis Marchand called the results of these initiatives "fabulous," citing a 63 percent reduction in the number of deer-car collisions in the past five years. She also pointed to the township’s record in fending off legal challenges to the deer-management program.
   "We’ve been 8 and 0 in the courts," she said.
   In the long-run, however, the township would like to see the deer population at a level where culling is not needed.
   "Eventually we hope not to use White Buffalo," the mayor said, "once the numbers can be kept in balance on their own."