Politics & Government

Ordinance Already in Place on Deer Hunting

Township officials also haven't discussed how to approach the annual deer hunt this winter.

Township officials are still planning how to approach this year's deer culling, but they say an ordinance already is in place that does not allow hunting on residential property without special permission.

A new state law changes the buffer between property lines to 150 feet for hunting, including bows and arrows. Residents requested township officials to pass an ordinance to protect them from hunting on their neighbor's properties during the last township committee meeting.

Sandra Miller, of Delbarton Drive, again raised her concerns during Tuesday's Township Committee meeting and if an ordinance would be put into place.

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Mayor Thomas McDermott said there is an ordinance already in place to protect residents. The ordinance does not allow the discharge of weapons, including shotguns and bows and arrows, by anyone except a sworn police officer "except as authorized by resolution of the Township Committee for purposes of wildlife management," according to 3-28.1 of the township code.

But discussions are ongoing about how the township may proceed with the annual deer hunt at the East Orange Water Company property and the Oakey Tract. Robert Tillotson, a committee member, there are discussions happening about culling in Livingston.

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"We're not doing anything yet," he said. "We haven't discussed a plan yet."

For the 2009-10 deer hunt, the United Bow Hunters Association took 18 deer at the two properties, the majority coming at the East Orange Water Company property. A year ago, hunters took 50 deer from both properties. The 18 deer this year represent 494 pounds of ground venison donated to the Community Food Bank and 1,976 meals.

Township officials did a deer census in February, which involved a helicopter circling over town counting the animals, and determined there were about 70 deer.


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