Deer Hunt To Be Continued - In Baristaville

On the same day that Essex County Executive issued a press release offering Geese Peace training classes, he announced that the recent deer hunt in South Mountain Reservation, which was so successful, will be continued annually. Next year, he wants to organize the shoot at two more parks in and around Baristaville. From The Star Ledger:

Both Eagle Rock and Hilltop are under consideration for a hunt.

[Eagle Rock Conservancy Pres. Jim] Christiano said Eagle Rock, which is in West Orange, Verona and Montclair, is 408 acres and has a deer population that is much smaller than South Mountain's....."We'd like to see a study being done before they make a commitment (to a hunt)," he said. I'm reluctant to support it without a documented problem."

The 240-acre Hilltop Reservation is in Cedar Grove, Verona, Caldwell and North Caldwell. Geordie Smith, vice president of the Hilltop Conservancy, said members are aware of a large number of deer in the reservation, but have not had a chance to discuss a possible hunt there.

Meanwhile, improvements are being made to South Mountain Reservation to protect drivers and prevent further destruction from the remaining deer herds:

...private corporations and the Essex County Parks Foundation have donated funds to install a deer deterrent system on a three-mile stretch of Cherry Lane inside the reservation. The system is made up of sensors that are activated by car headlights. When the sensors are activated, they emit a high-pitched noise designed to repel deer from the roadway and oncoming cars.

Starting this summer, Percher said members will plant inside a 14-acre fenced enclosure that was once used as a deer paddock and is located near the dog park along Crest Drive. Once the fence is repaired, the new plantings will be kept safe from deer. In addition, the conservancy intends to plant 70-by-70-foot "islands" of new shrubbery and other plants that will be enclosed by plastic mesh fencing.