New Jersey Deer News
 Watch for the Trailing Deer May 14, 2013 New Jersey, Atlantic Highlands Herald ... When you drive in rural or suburban areas where deer sometimes cross the roads, you learn to watch for the trailing deer. Deer often travel in small packs, so when you see one cross the road, there's likely to be more... Watch for the Trailing Deer May 14, 2013 New Jersey, Atlantic Highlands Herald ... When you drive in rural or suburban areas where deer sometimes cross the roads, you learn to watch for the trailing deer. Deer often travel in small packs, so when you see one cross the road, there's likely to be more... Say no to farmed deer and canned hunting May 6, 2013 New Jersey, phillyBurbs.com ... bill, A 507, has been sent to the floor of the New Jersey Assembly... The bill will establish a licensing program in the Department of Agriculture for farmed deer. It‘s illegal to sell deer parts in New Jersey, so these deer will be raised solely for the purpose of killing them....Farmed deer are usually hand-raised and fed. They lose their fear of man ... Many ethical hunters are outraged by this practice ... Dead deer left on lawn for days April 18, 2013 New Jersey, NorthJersey.com ... Close to South Orange Avenue, there were fenced in areas with many deer. You could feed them bread or whatever you had. They were beautiful and gentle. As a boy from the city, it was a magical place. To be so close to these graceful creatures in their own habitat was amazing. ... The county said to call the state. The state said, "Yeah, we know... Choice Between Dart and Shotgun a 'No-Brainer' April 11, 2013 New Jersey, Patch.com, Susan Russell ... Key facts omitted in Hilltop Conservancy’s initial pro-kill position included white-tailed deer response to hunting programs (stimulated reproduction), the Department of Agriculture’s rating of GonaCon’s efficacy, burdensome requirements that deer be captured and inoculated account for most of the cost, and the ecologically damaging results of widespread deer baiting, which also improves deer reproduction... Is GonaCon perfect for the statewide deer herd? No. It was developed for use in suburban and discrete areas. But the statewide herd is in fact declining. ... Legal Impediment to Non-Lethal Deer Control Methods March 18, 2013 New Jersey, Patch.com ... Anti-culling activists insist there are economical and effective non-lethal alternatives to control local deer populations. A previous letter explored the high cost ($3,000+ per deer) and low effectiveness of immuno-contraceptives like GonaCon. Surgical sterilization (either tubal ligation or ovariectomy) would be less expensive (~$1,800 per deer) and far more effective – however, given New Jersey’s current regulations, neither method is operationally feasible. [Costs can be in the $200 range for contraception with over 90 percent effectiveness and often in the $500 range for sterilization, more information. Laws can be changed to provide opportunities for new approaches.] Essex County, Are Essex County's annual deer hunts 'psychologically damaging'? March 12, 2013 New Jersey, NorthJersey.com, Maria Karidis ... About a dozen shotgun-carrying agents at a time seek deer ... for some people in the area, the sound of guns firing, the sight of blood stains in the reservations, and the encounters with wounded deer that got away are anything but safe ... In a letter dated Feb. 5, 2012, published on deerfriendly.com, Malanga wrote, "My dogs led me to a deer that was struggling ... " ... Details on hunters' actions are no longer publicly distributed by the county, but in 2008, they were included in hunt tallies. And in the 2008 documentation, the 40-yard limit [to residence] was exceeded numerous times... Princeton: Deer cull limits herd March 11, 2013 New Jersey, Packet Online ... Hunters killed 159 deer in Princeton during the annual culling ... Prior to the hunt, Princeton had an estimated deer population of between 400 and 500... killed either through sharpshooting or a practice called “net and bolt,” Mr. Johnson said. Critics of deer hunts like the one the town does generally decry net and bolt as inhumane ... Princeton began culling deer in 2000 ... Essex County, Verona-Cedar Grove Letter: Deer contraception is about politics and science March 7, 2013 New Jersey, NorthJersey.com ... Hilltop Conservancy Treasurer Theresa Trapp omits key facts when claiming that the annual killing of deer at Hilltop and in South Mountain Reservation is somehow more effective than non-lethal approaches. First, there is established science: the white-tail's breeding ecology. Deer, especially previously non-hunted populations, respond to hunting pressure with higher fecundity... According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, GonaCon, which Ms. Trapp opposes, obtains up to an 80 percent success rate in reducing breeding. That is 80 percent more effective than any hunting program... Millburn officials evaluating deer hunts March 6, 2013 North Jersey, NorthJersey.com ... In 2012, 201 deer were removed from county roadways, down from 233 in 2011 and 303 from 2007, according to statistics from the Essex County Public Information Office. .. Motor vehicle accidents reported to the Millburn Police Department involving deer have remained steady since 2008, according to Millburn Police Sgt. Dave Bonney. According to department statistics, 20 deer-related accidents occurred in 2008, 19 in 2009, 20 in 2010, and 19 in 2011... Byram, Deer hunt measure moves ahead in Byram March 5, 2013 New Jersey, New Jersey Herald The Byram Township Committee voted 5-0 on Tuesday to move forward with its deer management ordinance that could allow a bow hunt on township open space.... West Caldwell, Survey Reveals 50 Deer Per Square Mile in West Caldwell March 5, 2013 New Jersey, Patch.com ... The biologist, who donated her time, used a formula based on the sightings recorded to determine that there are about 50 deer living per square mile in the five-square-mile town.... Police responded to 107 motor accidents involving deer from 2002-2007, he said. From 2008 to the present, the number of accidents involving a deer jumped to 193. In the last five years, he said, 76% of the accidents occurred on or near Passaic Avenue ... Officials: No evidence restaurants bought deer meat from man accused of using girlfriend as gunrest February 22, 2013 New Jersey, The Star-Ledger - NJ.com ... officials were able to charge Jarema for possession of the deer taken out of state, and Jarema ended up pleading guilty in Bridgewater Municipal Court. "But we weren't able to make further connection to restaurants, because by the time we were informed of the potential sale, months had passed and it would have been impossible to link the sale to the restaurant," Essex County, Six years later, debate on annual Essex County deer hunt rages on February 21, 2013 New Jersey, NorthJersey.com ... "because of topography, forest cover or road access" are not viewable by spotlight, the report says. So, county officials multiplied the amount of deer they did see by the percentage of land they could not survey to come up with estimated totals of deer... Verona resident Marilynn English and West Orange resident Carol Rivielle, both who have launched multiple lawsuits against the county in relation to its hunts, argue that the infrared and spotlight counts are both questionable ... Deer Contraceptives: It's About the Politics and Science February 20, 2013 New Jersey, Patch.com, Susan Russell Deer ... respond to hunting pressure with higher fecundity. Hunting stimulates breeding by increasing carrying capacity ... Essex killing programs are hardly small change... DiVincenzo stated that shooting South Mountain/Eagle Rock/Hilltop deer in 2011 "was accomplished at a total cost of $130,223.04, or $744.13 per deer... According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, GonaCon, which Ms. Trapp opposes, obtains up to an “80 percent” success rate in reducing breeding rates... Byram deer hunt proposal moves ahead February 19, 2013 New Jersey, New Jersey Herald ... The council voted 5-0 to move forward with its plan that would allow hunters who were granted a permit from the township to bow hunt white-tailed deer on municipally owned land that is under the Open Space program. A public hearing and second reading of the ordinance will take place at the March 5 council meeting... Essex County, After-dark gunfire during Essex County deer hunt sparks concerns among some residents February 17, 2013 New Jersey, The Star-Ledger - NJ.com ... The controversial deer hunt, which just ended its sixth season, has drawn fire from critics who for years have opposed it as cruel and unnecessary. The latest flare-up between county officials and anti-hunt activists stems from several shots reportedly fired after dark which prompted 911 calls ... Watchung, Fifty Deer Killed in Watchung's Hunting Season February 15, 2013 New Jersey, Patch.com ... Killing does is the primary way to control the population, [Councilman] Franklin said. Through this year's hunt, 38 fetuses were killed, he said—some had twins and one doe had triplets. [Suburban hunting programs increase the probability that does will have twins and triplets] ... When the borough had its first deer hunt, professional hunters were hired. But now ... the borough relies on sportsmen and clubs like the Warren Blue Ridge Sportsmen [this is a effectively a recreational hunt] ... Essex County, Deer Contraceptives – It's All About the Math February 14, 2013 New Jersey, Patch.com ... Contraceptives are sometimes proposed as an alternative to hunting. However, we need to acknowledge that non-lethal methods to control deer populations would involve significant investment of taxpayer dollars, particularly immuno-contraception (e.g., GonaCon). Each GonaCon inoculation costs more than $1,000 per dose (including locating, immobilizing, inoculating and collaring). [The facts are that the total cost is currently in the $200 range and can be reduced if labor is donated, non-lethal control for urban environments] In addition, each doe requires at least 3 doses over her lifetime to render her infertile – driving the real unit costs above $3,000 per deer. This compares to about $600 per deer for the County’s current sharpshooting program. [sharpshooting increases the food supply for the remaining deer that have more fawns in response and is why Essex County has been conducting their program for decades] Committeeman wants to allow 'deer driving' and extra days for hunters February 14, 2013 New Jersey, Shore News Today ... Committeeman John Carman requested that hunters be allowed to extend the deer hunting season by a few days as well as be able to use a practice that the township banned nearly 20 years ago....Deer driving means “to intentionally pursue, drive, chase or otherwise frighten or cause deer to move in the direction of any person or persons known to be waiting for the deer,” ... According to Township Administrator Peter Miller, residents had complained specifically about this practice ... Essex County, Sixth Deer-Culling Season Ends, Will Continue in 2014 February 13, 2013 New Jersey, Patch.com ... marksmen were responsible for killing 152 deer ... 43 deer and 19 unborn deer were culled from the South Mountain Reservation and 61 deer and 29 unborn deer from the Hilltop Reservation... the county’s wildlife management consultant Daniel Bernier explained the reservations should have five deer per square mile [U.S. Forest Service research shows that less than 10 deer per square mile allows underbrush to develop] ... Since 2008, more than 1,500 deer have been culled ... Deer Management or Hunter's Rights? February 12, 2013 New Jersey, Holmdel-Hazlet, NJ Patch, Rose Ann Scotti, Former Mayor, Colts Neck Township. Many local towns are being pressured into allowing hunting throughout their towns, and in residential areas! Why is this happening? ... It seems the hunting lobby and the State Division of Fish Game and Wildlife have convinced the Township Committee that we are mandated (their words) to bring our Firearms Ordinance into compliance with state law, and cannot impose more stringent restrictions on the use of firearms than those in state code... My research has convinced me that by rescinding the no discharge map, the safety and well being of our residents will be seriously compromised.... Union County's Deer Management Program Results In Removal Of 90 Deer February, 2013, Patch.com ... This program, according to county officials, is intended to reduce the white-tailed deer population to minimize overbrowsing of the forested parkland, reduce browse damage on the landscape plantings of surrounding homes, reduce the incidence of deer-related motor vehicle accidents, and lessen the occurrence of Lyme disease. [deer density not correlated to Lyme]. More than 35 deer were removed last year ... NJ man charged with shooting 28 deer illegally February 1, 2013 New Jersey, Scranton Times-Tribune A New Jersey man accused of forcing a woman at gunpoint to drive him around while he shot almost 30 deer illegally was brought back to Wayne County to face charges this week, the Wayne County District Attorney said... Essex County Deer Hunt Begins Tuesday (Poll) January 21, 2013 New Jersey, Patch.com ... The hunt has been scaled back this year. The program has been reduced from 24 hunting sessions in 12 days in 2012 to nine sessions in six days this year... New Jersey Deer Statistics for 2012 January 19, 2013 MyCentralJersey.com New Jersey's 2012 deer harvest as of Jan. 1 was 39,485, compared to 39,824 on Jan. 1, 2012, with the kill down in some areas hit by disease last August and September. North Jersey deer weren't hit by the viral disease last year as hard as they were in 2011 ... Essex County deer hunt crucial after Sandy, expert says, to chagrin of anti-hunt advocates January 20, 2013 New Jersey, The Star-Ledger - NJ.com ... Michael Van Clef ... a forest ecologist, said Sandy was responsible for toppling hundreds of trees... already “very poor” pre-Sandy conditions due to overbrowsing of saplings, shrubs and other plants by a rapidly reproducing deer population... Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo said the hunt will go on but at roughly half its normal scope this year from Tuesday until Feb. 7, much to the chagrin of anti-hunt advocates... who call the hunt unnecessary and promote non-lethal methods like sterilization. Colts Neck tries to cope with increasing deer population January 16, 2013 New Jersey, News Transcript “The proliferation of the deer population has made the township's streets unsafe, increased the chances of Lyme disease [deer density not correlated with Lyme], ruined acres of cropland and trampled the landscapes of most residential properties,” said Township Committeeman Thomas Orgo, ... While non-lethal options are available to control the deer population, officials said those measures are not as effective as hunting. [options for non-lethal control] Essex County, Deer management program scaled back in Essex County for 2013 January 15, 2013 New Jersey, Independent Press - NJ.com Only two reservations will be included in the deer management program in Essex County this year... scaled down in many ways — the number of days the hunt will take place, the number of deer being removed and where... This is the sixth year ... more than 800 deer have been removed ... Essex County, Deer Hunt Begins Next Tuesday In South Mountain And Hilltop Reservations January 15, 2013 Baristanet Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. today announced plans for a “scaled back” program ... From 2008 to 2012, a total of 1,363 deer (818 deer and 545 unborn deer) were removed from the three reservations utilizing the volunteer services of experienced and qualified marksmen. There were 360 deer (213 deer and 147 unborn deer) removed in 2008, 138 deer (83 deer and 55 unborn deer) removed in 2009, 252 deer (160 deer and 92 unborn deer) removed in 2010, 339 deer (187 deer and 152 unborn deer) removed in 2011 and 274 deer (175 deer and 99 unborn deer) removed in 2012. Union County, Deer hunt begins Saturday at Ashbrook Reservation, at three other parks January 4, 2013 New Jersey, Independent Press - NJ.com ... James Debbie Jr., the administrator of the Borough of Mountainside, recalls, “Many years ago we had people demonstrating on the corner of New Providence Road and (Route) 22 … That stopped” years ago ... Sebastian D'Elia, director of public information for the county, said, “This has been going on since 1995." ... Berkeley Heights Mayor Joe Bruno ... acknowledged he couldn’t see himself killing a deer, “they are beautiful animals but, it’s cruel to have them hit by trucks and cars on 78.” [killing deer for their own protection] Union County deer management program to begin Jan. 7 in three parks January 2, 2013 New Jersey, Suburban News ... Forest ecologists recommend a density of 20 deer per square mile in a healthy hardwood forest [U.S. Forest service research is 15 to 28 per square mile, with forest recovering at higher densities] and as low as five deer per square mile in a forest that has been heavily damaged by browsing. Spotlight counts conducted by the County in March, 2012, showed the current deer densities to be about 39 per square mile in the Watchung Reservation and 185 per square mile in and around Lenape Park.... Bernards Township, Deer hunting expanded in Bernards Township December 27, 2012 New Jersey, New Jersey Hills ... The total number of deer killed by all hunters on public and private property in the township last season was 374, down from 436 in 2010-11... last fall... a DFW official explained that the program’s deer culling totals were no longer reaching its goals... the official advised the township to either revise its goals or change the program ... Hopewell Township, Why is the County beginning a deer management program at the Pole Farm? December, 2012 New Jersey The Hopewell Township Deer Management Committee estimated the deer population in the township to be 54 deer per square mile. Published literature suggests that 10 deer per square mile is associated with low rates of Lyme disease [the Center For Disease Control finds no peer reviewed research for a general deer density shown to reduce Lyme] and deer collisions, and healthy forests [U.S. Forest Service finds evidence of too few deer at this density] Eagle Rock deer hunt in 2013 is unlikely December 13, 2012 New Jersey, NorthJersey.com ... Daniel Bernier, the county's wildlife management consultant, last week told the committee: "By no means is the deer count low enough at Eagle Rock, but there don't seem to be enough deer there right now to warrant the cost involved in securing the park and getting hunters in there …" ... Since 2008, 2,654 deer have been removed from county parklands, the release stated. The tally includes 818 culled, or killed during hunts; 545 deer fetuses; and 1,291 deer struck and killed "in vehicle accidents on county roads." Deer tossed from overpass slams through semi's windshield December 8, 2012 New Jersey, WTVR ... someone on top of the Buffin Road overpass toss a deer with a rope tired around its neck off the bridge... “And then I looked up and a deer come over the bridge on a rope swinging at me.” The driver said his truck slammed into the deer carcass, which crashed through the semi’s windshield. The animal narrowly missed him. ... Essex County, Nearby deer needn't fear next year December 6, 2012 New Jersey, NorthJersey.com ...New Jersey, along with Maryland, are the states that allow immuno-contraceptives to be given to deer. Our county and virtually every other government in New Jersey and elsewhere that have sought to control the overpopulation of deer have rejected deer contraceptives. The procedure of locating the deer, tranquilizing them, capturing them and immunizing them with contraceptives is arduous to achieve — and costly... Here’s an alternative. Essex County officials should give pro-deer advocates a chance to determine the effectiveness of a citizen-driven vaccination effort... Princeton, Deer Management Program Underway in Township Parks November 21, 2012 New Jersey, Town Topics ... Princeton Township’s deer management program is underway for the twelfth consecutive year. Mark Johnson, the Township’s Animal Control Officer, said that United Bowhunters of New Jersey are culling the deer population in six of the 12 Township parks. Once they complete their hunting, White Buffalo Sharpshooters come in to “net and bolt,” or net the deer and pick them up... Morris' deer hunt approaches, disease already shrinking population November 15, 2012 New Jersey, The Star-Ledger - NJ.com ... The Morris County Park Commission's deer hunt ... Some hunters might have stayed away because a virus may have reduced Morris County's deer population, said Kelly Kovacevic, Morris County superintendent of natural resources management. The disease — epizootic hemorrhagic disease, or EHD ... State warns motorists about increased deer activity November 5, 2012 New Jersey, NorthJersey.com ... The return of the fall breeding season in late October has many – most notably those in the more rural parts of North Jersey – at an increased risk for encounters of the vehicular kind. That risk, according to the state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), is due to continue throughout November and December as bucks and does disperse in search of a mate.... Deer Rescued from Sea as Sandy Approaches October 29, 2012 New Jersey, NBC New York ... A deer got stuck in the wild surf at a Monmouth County beach in New Jersey as Hurricane Sandy loomed Sunday afternoon ... Animal Control and Humane Society responded and tranquilized the deer, which was found with a broken leg. ACHS has taken it into its care in hopes of nursing it back to health. ... Deer Stuck on NJ Beach as Sandy Approaches October 28, 2012 New Jersey NBC New York NBC 4 New York's cameras were at Monmouth Beach Sunday afternoon when the deer was spotted attempting to navigate the breaking surf. A barrier of rocks prevented the deer from being able to get back on the beach, and the animal was left helpless in the waters... [see video below] | Search for news and information by keyword above or find links to state news stories organized by topic. Other useful links: - New Jersey Division of Fish, Game & Wildlife regulations. - New Jersey Wildlife Action Plan - New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection - New Jersey Division of Fish, Game and Wildlife The mission of the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife is to protect and manage the State's fish and wildlife to maximize their long-term biological, recreational and economic values for all New Jerseyans. |
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