Four additional land parcels proposed to be added for bow hunters.
By: Kara Fitzpatrick
MONTGOMERY The Wildlife Management Committee is asking the township to add four more open-space parcels to its deer-management program. The parcels would be available for bow hunting only.
Wildlife Management Committee Chair Frank Drift said the additional parcels are necessary because the township’s deer population is rapidly growing.
"There are so many areas that have no hunting at all," Mr. Drift said during the Township Committee’s session Wednesday. "You could pull in Sunset Road on any night and see eight or 10 (deer)."
Mr. Drift said the four parcels being considered for the program are the Bennett Tract, located off Province Line Road; Saxon Ridge, located between Sunset Road and Route 601; the Platz tract, located off Dutchtown-Harlingen Road; and Montgomery Meadows, located between Route 601 and Fieldstone Road.
Mr. Drift estimated there are about 780 acres available for hunting in the current deer-management program. He said the adoption of the four parcels would add another 120.
Mr. Drift said residents living near the four parcels have complained about the number of deer in the area.
The township’s deer-management program has "such a spotless, impeccable record, it is kind of silly not to use a few hunters," Mr. Drift said in a phone interview.
He said the four tracts were selected because, as open-space parcels, "they are sitting dormant doing nothing. None of them are used for anything," Mr. Drift said Thursday.
Committee members agreed that controlling the deer population is an issue in the township.
"I think the deer population has grown," Committeeman John Warms said. "It’s just overwhelming now."
The last airborne infrared deer census by the township was completed in 2001 and determined Montgomery’s deer population was about 90 deer per square mile, far above the environmentally sustainable number of about 20 deer per square mile.
But Committeeman Mark Caliguire urged caution in considering the tracts for hunting.
"I’m concerned with having way too many pieces of open space put in this program," Mr. Caliguire said, while adding that he agreed the deer population should be managed. "Maybe we need to take a slightly different approach."
Mayor Louise Wilson said it would be wise to "look at the parcels individually." She said she had a concern with opening the Bennett Parcel for bow hunting, because it often is used for recreational purposes, like sledding.
Environmental Commission Chair Gwen Farley said the commission is in favor of adding the four tracts because of the area’s deer overpopulation.
"The hunting program has been so successful and well run," said Ms. Farley. "We feel it’s a good program for the township to expand."
The governing body agreed. The mayor commended Mr. Drift for the "good work" accomplished by the deer-management program. Mr. Warms noted the township’s program "has been the most successful in the state." There were 78 permits offered for the current hunting season. If the additional hunting lands were approved, a dozen more permits would be available. Each permit costs $75.
Montgomery has several requirements for participants entering its program, including a 10-year background check by the police department; participation in required safety programs given by the township and the state; familiarization with the boundaries of hunting property; and requirements to send in a hunting report at the end of the season.

