The Deer Management Plan is the subject of the March 10, 2012 Supervisor's Forum (click here for more information)

Please join us on Saturday March 10, 2012, 10am, at the Town House for a discussion of our Deer Management Program.

RSVP to Marianne Vitelli (mvitelli [at] townofpoundridge [dot] com), if you are planning to attend, is very much appreciated.
 

In 2005, at the request of the Town Board, the Conservation Board studied the alternatives available to deal with the destruction of the under story in the wooded areas of town.  A significant cause was determined to be an overabundance of White Tailed Deer.  After reviewing other municipalities’ efforts to deal with the challenge, the Board made the recommendation to allow deer hunting on three town-owned properties and to encourage private land-owners to allow hunting on their properties.

Five public meetings were held, and the majority of opinion favored allowing hunting.  There was some opposition based on 1) the inhuman treatment of deer, 2) the safety of residents, and 3) the specter of a wounded deer dying on neighboring properties.  The Town implemented the plan which is based upon the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation regulations for deer hunting in Westchester County.  There were several additions to those regulations to enhance safety: 1) no minors allowed, 2) hunting from tree stands only, 3) all hunters are qualified by the Police Department, and 4) all hunters are scheduled by time and location.

The plan was in effect for the County deer season (October to December 2006) and the results were reviewed at a Town Board meeting.  Several large privately owned properties were open to hunting.  There were no serious incidents between hunters and residents.  Photographs of the effected areas are taken for annual comparison of the under story growth.  The program continued in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011. Each year, the results will be reviewed to determine if the program should continue.  The review will include number of deer taken, automobile accidents, pictures of the under story, and deer count from the survey.

In summary, the Pound Ridge program identified deterioration of the under story as the primary concern.  The public was given many opportunities to review and comment upon the program.  Annual reviews are done to review the results and to make recommendations for the following year.