Yes, the rumors were correct.
The deer slaughter that Saddle River has masterminded as their misguided wildlife management plan has been given the green light.
In a statement that has appeared on the town website (almost magically with no council meeting) the administrators of the town have released information on the slaughter and how it will be done and have attempted to draw together numerous points to justify the cull:
numerous motor vehicle accidents
public safety concern
attract unwanted predators such as coyotes
landscape of Saddle River has been damaged
Ironic as Saddle River appears to pride itself on its bucolic and pastoral setting.
But in the words of Mayor Kurpis,
Your Mayor and Council would prefer not to cull the deer. However, there are very serious public safety concerns that can no longer be ignored. In addition, the landscape of Saddle River has been damaged over the past few years as deer have eaten forest understory, hedges and gardens. This reduces the enjoyment and thus value that residents receive from being homeowners in Saddle River while impairing the health of our forests for years to come.
So, it boils down to money. They fear a loss of property value because of the wild and natural aspect of the town, which is why many people move there. They want the nature – but without the wildlife. They are just too inconvenient.
Why not just stay in Manhattan? Or Hoboken?
So the deer are not only reducing the enjoyment of the town, and therefore reducing the value of the property, but also impairing the health of the forest for years to come. Forests? This isn’t Wyoming.
So, using cross bows the deer will be managed.
And the coyotes.
And remember this is a town, not the Adirondacks.
Where the lots are zoned for 2+ acres.
This is suburbia.
With money.
Where if the wildlife are inconvenient you can just erase them.
Read the ‘wildlife management plan’ here.