I understand the need of controlling the deer population, but after 4 years, can't we find a better solutions? What is wrong with birth control that has been used in other areas and has proven effective? Also, the hunters have ruined the paths in the reservations with their trucks. It's a mess. Lastly while walking my dog with kids, we saw a puddle of blood next to a trail. I can't prove it was deer blood but the hunt was the previous day to our walk.

They've been here longer than we have. We keep building and developing in their habitat. I am against this hunt.
Just learn to live with the wild life. People live in Africa with lions.
How about we weed out some people?

I believe you can separate the poll voters into 2 groups. The people who vote against the cull are animal lovers and the ones who vote for the cull are not.

Bye Bye your time is up

With no natural predators the deer population has exploded to dangerous levels. It's to the point where people aren't hitting the deer with their cars... The deer are running into the sides of them! They are destroying indigenous plant species in our forests and ravaging household landscapes. This destruction causes much more than just a monetary strain on homeowners and county tax payers... It also poses a health threat to our children and household pets with the rampant tick infestations of our yards and public parks. The herd must be thinned out. We have 4 times the number of deer that the combined acreage scientifically can support... The time to act is now!

God with that way of thinking, the world is overpopulated, maybe we should have open season on humans. Maybe we could just stop building in areas that are put aside for wildlife and let nature do what it does best. What is this killing of wildlife telling our children. When there are too many, just kill the to make things equal. They see Dad doing it so it must be right. Put the guns down you are doing more harm than good. Set an example, don't be the example. You are encouraging killing no matter how you want to sugar coat it.

As the owner of a golden retriever who was diagnosed 2 years ago with Lyme and still has problems associated with the disease, I am in total support of the deer hunt. Maybe, people would feel differently if they saw a loved one suffering from Lyme.

Thank you Andrea for bringing up a 'problem' here in NJ ... Just today (Sat. 02/04) I read in the Star-Ledger, that NJ is loaded with ticks ... they travel with the deer. I do consider myself an animal lover ... all living things (beast or otherwise) ~ but must say we need to consider when to take control a potential out-of-control situation. Too many deer in a relatively small area will only cause other problems. I don't advocate hunting ... most hunters do not need the meat to feed their famlies. The meat taken from the deer killed during these Winter Deer Hunts in the reservations, is donated to the Food Banks ... I read that last year after these hunts. Can't argue with that kind of donation. I suffered with Lyme disease from a tick from my own backyard. I do not 'love' that kind of 'beast' however. The discomfort was lasting. We will always have different opinions to this subject. I too have mixed feelings about the 'hunters' here ... but also agree there could be a major problem if nothing is done. Contraception? I haven't read where this method is - or was - successful. Perhaps someone can clue me in? I'm sure there's an opinion about that too.

I spent over $600 last year on Plants, flowers, vegetable plants and so on.
The Deer ate them all and destroyed my beautiful gardens.
Now I have found out that a neighbor is feeding them and gives them shelter by not clearing their backyard property. (over grown trees and tree saplings)
Knowing that deer carry the deer tick, which causes Lyme Disease, and I can not enjoy my property with my family and grandchildren out of fear that these deer ticks have invaded my property, I decided to take action.
I complained to the town of Caldwell (along with the other neighbors) but they have done nothing to stop these people from feeding and harboring the deer in their backyard.
We all feel that our only choose at this time is to also feed the deer...... with rat poison added to their food.
When I came home from work one night in July all of my neighbor's "cared for deer" were on my property having a feast.
The deer population has gone down from 14 to 4 since that August.
Our winter campaign should solve the problem for us by this spring.
Don't worry about them dying on your property. The poison makes them very thirsty and they go away to find a body of water to drink and drink and drink.
The poison is activated after they drink a lot of water.
The poisoned water causes blood clots to form. The deer sense they they don't feel well and they just go into the woods to have a restful sleep and die while sleeping. VERY HUMANE !!!!

Unfortunately, over the years as the people population increases it's the wildlife that suffer. Now in the case of the deer, especially during the winter when they are in rut the deer become dangerous to humans because they think nothing of running accross roads and causing an accident to happen. Years ago I Ihit a beautiful 8 point buck on Kennedy Parkway near the mall no less in broad daylight. My car almost flipped over and was badly damaged and this magnificent specimen was killed.There have been cases where a deer has gone through the windshield and killed the people in the front seat. Salt on the road after a snow will also bring the deer out at night. Just like cattle they love salt.

Moving the deer in the township to another location is virtually impossible simply because of the shear numbers involved. Even if this could be done where would you put them and do you have any idea what the cost would be to relocate over a thousand deer?

The only viable solution is to cull the heard every so often. Those who complain about this solution haven't hit a deer or lost a loved on who has. Like the saying goes experience is the best teacher. I hope what happened to me never happens to you. But, if it does, guaranteed you'll change your opinion on culling the herd.

Culling will not eliminate the deer but will allow the herds to sustain themselves and be of less danger to humans. So to the complainers of this life saving measure
GET REAL..............

To Jeannine, That comment you made about" the deer have been here longer than us". When you show me a 3 or 400 year old deer I will tear down my house and give it to them. oh, and I do not remember seeing people in Africa putting up with lions in their back yards they kill them fast there. and as for your thought about weeding out some people, I remember about 60 or so years ago some other people had that idea.

To Sunny Forest, that a funny name for someone who obviously doesn't walk the forest that much, otherwise you would see the destruction that the deer have caused.
Also who gave you the right to decide who loves or hates animals. I myself love dogs am fond of cats and enjoy most other animal, but I hate rats and deer. infact I consider deer just to be very tall rats.
as for the human overpopulation, when they start running into cars, start defecating on my lawn and carrying diseases, I will be willing to talk to you about it.

To janes, I see you are for deer birth control, let me know when you have taught your first deer to put on a condom, otherwise it is just too expensive.
To Estele, you go girl, thanks for the information.

The health of New Jersey's forests are severely threatened by a number of factors including invasive species, global warming, pollution and an over-abundant deer population.

Why is this important? According to the NJ Audubon Society, "Healthy forests and ecosystems provide essential environmental, social and economic benefits to human health and quality of life. Healthy forests play a major role in providing clean, potable water for us all. Degraded forests result in undrinkable water; dirty air that leads to asthma and cancer; and lost recreational opportunities including lands to hike and wildlife to view."

To read the entire press release and for a link to the full report, go to http://www.njaudubon.org/SectionConservation/ForestHealth.aspx. Addressing the over-population of deer is just one part of addressing a much bigger problem for New Jersey. It may be that hunting is not the best solution, but we can't ignore the longer term effects that deer have on our forests.

How about all of those against the culling and are honestly concered enough to put their words into actions, set up feeding stations in their yards to feed them. Why not a "deer population task force" that could be formed by volunteers and vets that could safely sedate and sterilize the males...? Less males, less babies. No killing, more saplings growing to maturity...more flowers for the bees...Possible?

This is for all you fuzzy wuzzy so called animal lovers... 1st of all yes you can be an animal lover and support the hunt and yes be a hunter. Over population of the deer has led us to the situation we are in. Contraceptives are not cost effective and only have nominal results. I hope all the deer are donated to homeless shelters or otherwise utilized. To kill and or waste any natural resource is just wrong.
Now back to you bleeding heart fuzzy lovers. Do You eat Meat ? Research how it gets to your table it will make cry. I eat meat, I love meat, this hunt is one of the most humane ways to controll a population that needs to be controlled at a cost low to taxpayers. Do you wash yourself with soap, made with animal fat. I bet you people also don't support the bear hunt either...........
untill a bear eats your dog or breaks into your house looking for food or mabey your young kid playing outside in the back yard. Grow up and let them do what needs to be done. You people make me sick.

Don't worry fellow Livingstonians. In the past two years, I (along with others I mention this to) have noticed the lack of rabbits, racoons, and ground hogs which normally visit my back yard. The reason they "disappeared" is because I have noticed an increase in the coyote population in town. A few years ago I saw one on N Hillside Ave stalking a house cat at 3AM. A month or so ago one was spotted on W McClellan Ave where I walk my dog Dukie at 11PM.

Seems like we have a problem with the coyotes, and I have mentioned this on Patch in the past, but I won't be chasing down Town officials until I actually interact with one. That being said, I'm sure that if we put up with the coyotes long enough, the deer problem will disappear "naturally."

I now walk my dog "armed" with a sawed off broomstick, and residents should keep an eye on small children and hosehold pets. I understand that smaller dogs and cats make tasty treats for the coyotes, but we want them concentrating on the deer at night.

Hey sunny Forrest , I guess you are one of those deer ticks we hear about. Just remember " A dead deer is A dear deer" . By the way I have been living near you for 30 years and have watched the degradation of all of the parkland by your relatives.

Kelaker, and I have watched the degradation of all your relatives by your inbreeding.

Wow! This is a really hot topic ~ nice to see so many Patch readers. Sunny Forrest gets the prize for the most angry so far. We don't need more angry people amongst us ... we already have enough on our roads!

I say we just take our anger out by killing innocent animals. Winning.

Hey Sunny ... Please stay off the streets and inside your home where you can chill-out a little. Have a beer, watch cartoons. But I guess you'll just keep venting on the Patch. Such anger does no one (or any animal) any good. Sorry you're so off-kilter. I have good neighbors ~ so I guess I'm a little happier than some of yours. Stay well. I'm sure we'll read more about this hunt, and other's opinions.

Sunny, I know of a doctor a cardiologist who preached to people to give up meat and go strictly vegetarian or beter yet, vegan. One day he was on his excercise bike, had a major heart attack and was dead before he hit the floor. So saying you are going to out live everybody is a sign of ignorance. God determines when our time is up. You could get killed in an auto accident like hitting a deer. Im glad to know that you found a way to avoid life's perils and out live us meat eaters. Also, I feel a little sorry for you (not really) that you might croak without ever enjoying a grilled steak, hamburgers, roast chicken, fish etc.

Most of the people who I know that have given up eating meat are skinny, pale, and have a sad look on their face. Today being Saturday I'm having a light supper.
Hot pastrami on fresh rye bread. Tomorrow (Superbowl Sunday) we'll be having friends over and everybody will enjoy the hot wings, cold cuts, chili, shrimp and BBQ'D pulled pork sandwhiches. I hope you enjoy your lettuce, tomato and organic sunflower seeds during tomorrows game. Hot Pastrami Yeah!!!! mangia mangia!!!

I am 13 years old and I believe that you people yourselves are acting like animals! It is our fault that they are being killed! We as humans moved into this town which they were living in and took their homes and now we are killing them saying that they are giving us diseases! We are humans and we have diseases of our own! They are mammals, who cares! So are we! All you people who are commenting on this page to,"stop this madness!!!", as you say. Get off your butt, stop arguing on the computer and go and talk to your town council instead of complaining like little babies. Also the people who are here agreeing with this killing go and do your job and kill these innocent animals, because your animals too, your losers who want to kill innocent animals! I am 13 years old and you adults are acting like the little kids in my grades lower than me! Thanks!

So sad that our community can't discuss a topic without acting like children. Anyway, I too would like to be able to come up with another solution to the deer overpopulation. I don't remember seeing deer around every corner when I was a kid. Could it possibly be all the destruction of their habitat? Does New Jersey need more strip malls and empty store fronts? Maybe if the deer had more space to roam they wouldn't be running out in the road. Can't we coexist? Put a fence around the yard. Apply some tick repellent when walking in the woods.

More room to roam. Gee, why wasn't that thought of? Lets start by tearing down houses on Sagamore Rd. and demoloshing homes on the hill, get rid of the mall, rip up Kennedy Pkwy and South Orange Ave. for starters. Then the culling will become unnecessary and everybody will be happy again because the deer have their territory back. Sunny, as for me I'm 5'9, 175 lbs, colesterol reading of 132, jog every day and ride my bike on weekends weather permitting. Fatsa meatball? No, I don't think so. Far from it. A high protein diet along with excercise keeps me healthy and trim. Venison by the way is low in fat and very high in protein and is not loaded with antibiotics like most commercialy sold meat. A venison pot roast done in a slow cooker with fresh veggies is the absolute best. An early morning jog of at least 5 miles will take care of the hot pastrami sandwich I had tonight. Happy Superbowl Sunday to all!! GIANTS ALL THE WAY!!!!......L8R

I would LOVE too have "Sunny Forrest" as my neighbor !!

When people inhabited these areas we killed coyotes, bear, and mountain lions because of the implied dangers to our families, livestock, and pets. This upset the natural balance of the food chain. This was perhaps irresponsible but nevertheless necessary... Deer were spared and left to run rampant- unchecked by Mother Nature and her merchants of population control. It is now man who must (from time to time) take up arms and take responsibility for his misdeeds and become the predator... Not for the sport but for the good of the wood scapes and ecosystems! We must restore balance and sustain this balance not for the sake of our vehicles... But for the sake of our children- so they may enjoy these beautiful areas and their natural wonders. If a logging company rolled into town and started mowing down sections of forest- I'm positive all people on this post would march to push them out... The deer are effectively doing the same albeit at a much slower and methodical pace. I don't believe anyone is saying to completely remove the deer but to sims restore the balance people! "We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors... We borrow it from our children."

Perhaps we should all agree to disagree. I'm stil not sure I agree with this 'hunt' ... but something needs to be done and contraception might not be the answer either. At least our gardens and reservations might become pretty again ~ ~ a lower tick population, and the Food Banks can feed the needy. Too many deer in all the wrong neighborhoods. And please don't blame the people who live in these neighborhoods - they didn't cause the over-population of deer... Millburn Township has very little, if any, open space to develope. I even saw a deer on our high school lawn. I've seen deer near the Shop Rite, and running across Millburn Avenue, Too many deer. As beautiful as they may appear ~~~they however carry ticks, they eat our plantings, and they cause damage when they hit our vehicles (we don't always hit them). @SUNNY~ don't allow a difference of opinion to raise your blood pressure ... at least we have these places to express ourselves. I just did! Peace! :-)

@JRU Thanks for pointing out something no one here has so far .(at least I don't think so) ... and that's our children's future. And yes, I also agree, we don't want the deer completely wiped out ... just controlled so we may live in harmony.

We need to maintain a level of decorum in the comments. We realize this is a touchy subject, but you will need to keep the personal attacks out of the comments. Thanks.

Sunny, I think you should channel all of your anger into something useful. like running for political office, that way you could force you will on those who do not agree with you.

Sunny, sorry I didn't see your post until a few minutes ago. I was out having lunch ( boy that steak was good, wish it was venison) so anyway I read you post and the only thing I could say was . I know you are but what am I.

Reading the thread, I have noticed that "diets" are being debated here and okay, I'll get involved because I am a "problem solving" type of individual. If anyone has questions as to what type of diets are best and how your eating lifestyle affects your health, you should consider looking at these two individuals.

Do a Google (or your favorite search engine) Image Search for the two listed below for comparison purposes.

Gillian MacKeith

- a 51 year old TV health guru who advocates a holistic approach to nutrition and health, promoting exercise, and a vegetarian diet high in organic fruits and vegetables. She recommends dextox diets, colon irrigation and use of supplements.

Nigella Lawson

- a 51 year old TV chef who drinks, smokes, eats meat, butter and desserts which are considered "unhealthy."

Enough already! Sunny, you are not what your name implies. Regardless of how anyone feels about this deer hunt situation, you will not change anyone's mind. I cannot, and will not even try. We all have our opinions, but you are unable to be civil. Name calling should be beneath you ... Enough is enough. Jack Durschlag tried to remind us all once here. Decorum please! The deer hunt/killing/culling or whatever we want to call it ... it will go on. Name calling is not what this is about ... Stay On Topic! Voice an opinion about the topic ...Not someone's name, or whether someone eats meat, venison or strickly vegetables. We ALL need to stick with the issue, not just you Sunny.

Folks: This is the second time I've had to intervene and remind people of the Patch terms of service you signed to participate in our comment section. Stay on subject, stay civil and stop the name calling. I reserve the right to close out the comments and prevent any more of this. This is your last chance to keep this discussion going. Thank you!

A lot of intellegent input went into this discussion pointing out why the culling is necessary to maintain a proper balance so that the herds of deer will be here for many years to come. I'm sure state and local officials along with the help of conservationists have explored many alternatives to the culling and have decided that any other method just would not work.

So as a friendly suggestion to those who disagree with the thinning out the herd why not channel your adrenalin in a positive way to try and find a workable alternative solution to this issue. Whining and name calling gets nobodies attention and only sheds light on a person that is negative, immature, and can offer nothing positive in the way of a solution. A person who's mouth is in gear before their brain is engaged. People like this are the ones who put liberal politicos in office like Barrak (Mr. Vacation) Obama.

Sunny, if the whole idea culling is wrong then let's put it to an end permanently. But before the deer, let's start with the serious issue of legalized abortion since it's the killing of innocent lives that seem to upset you so much.

In the spirit of seekimg alternate solutions... If we force the deer to get married- wouldn't they naturally have less sex and thus... Reproduce less!!?? Lol