On April 29 the Monmouth County Board of Recreation Commissioners released the Monmouth County Park System’s “Deer Management Program Annual Report.” The report, prepared by park system staff, contains information about the program as administered by the park system during the 2009- 10 deer hunting season and staff recommendations for the 2010-11 season. A complete copy of the report can be found at the website www.monmouthcountyparks. com.
The board will act on the report as part of its regular meeting on May 10 at 7 p.m. This meeting will be held at the Thompson Park Visitor Center, 805 Newman Springs Road (Route 520), Lincroft.
According to a press release, the Monmouth County Board of Recreation Commissioners first authorized the opening of county parklands for the hunting of whitetailed deer in April 2004.
The board recognizes hunting as an efficient and effective means of controlling the population of deer that threaten forest health within the county parks. The board and staff will continue to pursue the implementation of other, non-lethal management methods of the white-tailed deer when suitable options become available, according to the press release.
Questions and comments about the program should be directed to the park system by telephone at 732-842-4000, ext. 4237; by email at wildlife@monmouthcountyparks. com; or by mail at Monmouth County Park System, Attn.: Public Information Office, 805 Newman Springs Road, Lincroft, NJ 07738.