the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Saddle River NJ, the Borough of Saddle River is set to vote on a contentious contract Monday night to use bowhunters to reduce the population of deer and coyotes. The proposal, however, has sparked concern among residents, with one member of the public calling the plan “cruel.”
The Borough Council will decide on a contract with United Bowhunters of New Jersey (UBNJ), a state non-profit organization, during its 7 p.m. meeting. The resolution indicates that the borough is concerned about the impact of the growing deer and coyote populations on the health and safety of residents, as well as those passing through the area.
UBNJ, based in Spotswood, is tasked with carrying out a controlled cull, an organized hunt aimed at thinning the deer and coyote populations in the borough. According to a 2023 report from The Record, this cull program was temporarily suspended last year to evaluate its impact.
In recent years, similar cull programs have been implemented in other towns and counties, such as Essex County, often drawing criticism from animal rights activists. Saddle River’s proposed cull has reignited the debate over the ethics and necessity of such measures.
A local group advocating against the cull, “Keep Saddle River Safe,” has been vocal about its concerns. The group previously recommended pausing the cull program in 2020, arguing for more humane and alternative solutions to managing the wildlife population.
The urgency of the issue in Saddle River is underscored by past incidents, such as one reported seven years ago, where a group of “aggressive” coyotes surrounded a dog walker. This and similar occurrences have heightened concerns among residents about the safety risks posed by these animals.
The final decision on the contract rests with the seven-member mayor and council, who will take a single vote to determine the future of the cull program. With opinions sharply divided, the outcome of the vote could have significant implications for the borough’s approach to wildlife management and the ongoing debate over humane treatment of animals.
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I would like the addresses of the of the nay sayers I will drop off buckets of deer poop on their lawn. Tick Lyme disease is also increasing! That could pay to have my shrubs replaced!
All for it….Paramus has a coyote problem over at BCC, GW cemetary, and Ridgewood CC.
What’s cruel is letting the animals go thru what nature dictates to control their populations..
They may be cute but natural death is not pretty.
They do not live in a Bambi world.
Due to territorial traits, you cannot just move them anywhere as they will not be accepted as new pals.
Nobody is trying to identify the root cause of this animal proliferation which is overdevelopment. The green spaces are narrowing and disappearing by the day, of course the poor animals have nowhere to go. I would never be able to kill a deer and I enjoy seeing them around. As per tick disease that’s BS. Unless you eliminate all wildlife you will always have a chance to catch a tick. Leave the animals alone and to survive in their environment. Nature is faultless, it’s the fkin ppl who are ruining it.
Totally agree. Human beings cause most of the problems with the wildlife in suburban areas . Stop the overdevelopment once and for all and maybe the problem with start to reverse itself.