Judge Temporarily Bans Deer Hunt in Princeton, N.J., After Critics Say It's Dangerous

Josey1

Judge Temporarily Bans Deer Hunt in Princeton, N.J., After Critics Say It's Dangerous, CruelBy Jeff Linkous Associated Press Writer Published: Dec 31, 2001TRENTON, N.J. (AP) - A judge temporarily blocked a deer hunt Monday after animal rights groups complained the plan was dangerous to residents and cruel to the animals. Princeton Township officials hired White Buffalo Inc. of Hamden, Conn., to kill some 1,300 deer in the densely populated area by shooting the animals at night with high-powered rifles fitted with silencers. White Buffalo could also trap deer in nets and then, while holding the animals down, kill them with a device that fires a retractable, 4-inch steel bolt into their skulls - a technique known as "net and bolt." The township is one of many New Jersey communities where an overabundance of deer has caused traffic accidents, crop damage and other problems. White Buffalo conducted a deer hunt in the township in 2001. Bruce Afran, a lawyer representing animal rights groups and about 35 residents, said the restraining order remains in effect until a hearing early in 2002. Mayor Phyllis Marchand declined to comment. Afran said the groups want to ban the "net and bolt" technique for deer in New Jersey. He said herds can be controlled in other ways, including tranquilizing deer and injecting them with contraceptives If hunting is necessary, he suggested shotguns instead of rifles. "In Princeton, there's no place that's not within the range of the rifles," Afran said. AP-ES-12-31-01 1430EST http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGAOQNYOWVC.html

talon

This isn't a hunt, it's a culling operation. Usually, the pros know best how to do the job. I wonder if the 35 complainers are ready to pay for all the trees and bushes that will disappear, and all the automobile frontend damage that will occurr due to the delay?

salzo

Well, give the people of New Jersey what they want. If they choose to elect people who appoint judges who would give the animal rights folk his ear, then Jersey gets what they deserve.We had a cull simular to this in a park smack in the middle of Philadelphia. The animal rights nuts protested, tried to block it, but they were properly dismissed. Sharpshooter at night killed hundreds of deer, right in the middle of Philadelphia.

---

Happiness is a warm gun

7mm_ultra_mag_is_king

We do our own"culling" on the farms with a .22 mag, anything within 100 yards dies quick. Why do they need to hire pro's? Have a shotgun or bow only season, give out multiple tags to hunters that want them an I'm quite sure they can reduce the deer heard and make money instead of spending it. I am afraid that if word gets out that culling does a good job that the anti gun people will speak up and say that only pro's should be used to kill deer and can put an end to hunting in alot of places. As far as giving "the pill" to deer, now who wants to play god?

---

when all else fails........................

salzo

I know in the case of Philadelphia, it is a "bow only" special regulation area. And I do think it is certainly to populated to use anything except bows. Unless, of course, it is one hired sharpshooter.

---

Happiness is a warm gun

Gordian Blade

We have had a couple of incidents in my town in the past few years where a deer-vehicle collision has killed a human being. I guess that doesn't matter to these whackos and the judges who coddle them.

v35

I'm disturbed that these issues are taken out of the hands of State Conservation Departments who are charged by the public with being the authority for game management. Local authorities should have no jurisdictionto countermand State fish and game management policies and procedures.