Sharpshooters kill 322 deer in Township's population control plan

Despite the heated debate surrounding the issue, White Buffalo — the group hired to rein in the unchecked deer population in Princeton Township — has completed this year's phase of the five-year plan just as silently as it carried out its sharpshooting techniques.

Aiming to cut back on deer-car collisions as well as to balance the deer population at an environmentally sustainable level, Princeton Township Mayor Phyllis Marchand affirmed that the sharpshooters "met or exceeded the goal we had," noting that 322 deer were killed in all.

Only antlerless deer were targeted, comprised of young males and females, with a higher percentage of does killed to forestall further growth of the population.

The deer population was slated to triple if these does had not been killed, according to Marchand.

Citing ethical and safety concerns, several groups have protested the systematic shootings, pushing for other forms of population control, such as immunocontraception recently used to combat similar problems in Canada.

Marchand emphasized the merits of the sharp shooting procedure, however, citing that more than 12,000 tons of meat were collected from the deer carcasses and donated to area food kitchens that "were very happy to receive the high protein meat that doesn't usually come their way."

Marchand, however, was quick to add that the decision to hire the sharp shooters arose after other attempts to curb the problem during the past 10 years had failed.

Reduced speed limits along Princeton roads, signs warning of dangerous deer crossings and increased lighting have been implemented to protect drivers and animals. Also, the Township's health department has conducted seminars on Lyme disease prevention in schools and elsewhere in the community.

With each new measure failing to impact the consequences of an overly abundant deer population, the mayor concluded that the situation called for a new solution.

Laying out the safety measures followed by White Buffalo, Marchand affirmed the group's professionalism in carrying out the job "precisely and carefully." She noted the difference between sharpshooting and hunting, saying that the procedure is not a sport, but rather "a business contract we made with White Buffalo to take only antlerless animals."

"Only three people were working, and they went with our police to be sure that everything was as they said it would be, and that all the restrictions were complied with," she said. "[The sharp shooters] had to be a certain distance from each person's home and each person was notified."

As to whether or not the sharp shooters were allowed on University property, Marchand said the exact location of the White Buffalo sharpshooters was kept confidential to ensure the safety of all involved.

Get the best of the ‘Prince’ delivered straight to your inbox. Subscribe now »

"White Buffalo would not reveal where they were on lands because the police know it is a private contract made [with the Township]," she said. "If safety measures are complied with, then there is no need for people beyond the shooters to know."

Despite the project's success, the mayor acknowledged that "innocent animals" were killed and said she remains open to other forms of population control.

"I wish we didn't have to have a program like this, but we can't let the problem keep going and going without taking action," she said. "This was difficult decision for everyone to make."