Essex County is planning a second sharpshooter deer hunt, but not all of the towns bordering the park are in support. From the Star Ledger...
The county needs permission from those three towns in order to obtain special permits for a controlled hunt, which allows sharpshooters to hunt deer freely from sunrise to sunset. Since West Orange rejected the plan, the hunters in that part of the reservation will only be allowed to kill two deer at a time. The deer must be brought to a check station and tagged before the hunters can return to their post.Last year, hunters killed 213 deer during a monthlong hunt. Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo said it is critical to curb the population in order to protect vegetation. DiVincenzo has said the deer are also a nuisance to homeowners and drivers in the area. Last year, according to county officials, 303 deer were killed on county roads.
"(Though) there clearly is necessity for action, I simply disagree with the approach," said Council President Renard Barnes who voted against the measure. "There has to be a complete and comprehensive plan."
In Maplewood, the hunt is expected to get support from the five-member committee.Victor DeLuca, a member of the township committee, said he plans to vote against the plan. He also voted against it last year.
"I'd like to explore more humane measures in dealing with the deer population," DeLuca said. "I've been reading and hearing the stories about last year's shoot. They're mixed at best."
DeLuca said he would like the county to use contraceptives to keep the population in check.
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The cars seems to be doing a better job here.........