Saddle River suspends deer culling program after five years. Here's why
SADDLE RIVER — After five years, the borough is suspending its deer culling program, the only such program in Bergen County.
Mayor Albert Kurpis declined to give a reason for the suspension, which was announced at the Borough Council's March 6 budget meeting. However, Animal Protection League of New Jersey attorney Doris Lin confirmed Friday that it was the league's understanding that the program has been suspended to evaluate data about its effectiveness.
"We have data indicating deer accidents have actually gone up in the borough since the hunting began, possibly because the deer are scared onto roads by the hunters," Lin said. "We're hoping the borough will review the data and determine the culling was unsuccessful."
A chart provided by the league based on borough data indicates deer accidents rose during hunting season from October to February, up from 12 accidents in 2016 to 20 accidents in 2019. Deer-related accidents during non-hunting season varied from four in 2020 to nine in 2016.
Police Chief Jason Cosgriff declined to comment on the effectiveness of the program.
It was begun in 2018 despite protests from a number of animal rights organizations.
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Residents were divided on what should have priority: the rural atmosphere created by roaming deer herds, the plantings destroyed by deer foraging, or the safety on local roads as well as six-lane Route 17 on the borough's western border. They were also divided on how the deer should be "removed": bow hunting appeared safer for residents but less accurate than rifles.
Saddle River opted for bow hunting, contracting with United Bow Hunters of New Jersey to cull the deer during the state's deer hunting season from October to February. Hunting was restricted to properties whose owners gave permission and were given advance warning. A "forbidden" list indicated residents who did not want hunters on their property.
United Bow Hunters Northern Region Vice President Daniel Lombardo did not respond to requests for comment on the reason for the program's suspension. According to borough records, the number of deer culled went down over the five years of the program:
2018-2019: 138 deer killed.
2019-2020: 117 deer killed.
2020-2021: 84 deer killed.
2021-2022: 52 deer killed.
2022-2023: 50 deer killed.
The killed deer were largely claimed by the hunters. However, the borough paid up to $100 per deer to have up to 15% of the harvest butchered and donated to Hunters Helping the Hungry.
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The cost of the program, according to a borough-supplied spreadsheet, totaled $27,587 over five years, mostly for the rental of refrigerated trailers to house the carcasses.
Bergen County has discussed culling deer but ultimately declined against it in its 38 parks, which total 9,000 acres.
Essex County renewed its 13th deer culling program in January and February after a two-year COVID-related hiatus at South Mountain Reservation in Maplewood, Millburn and West Orange, as well as Hilltop Reservation in Cedar Grove, North Caldwell and Verona. Venison is donated to the Community FoodBank of New Jersey in Hillside.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Saddle River suspends deer culling program after 5 years. Here's why
