To the editor:
It takes nothing away from a human being to be kind to animals.
Having said that, I am saddened to learn, once again, that there is strong consideration from many of the city mayors in Bergen County to bow hunt deer. What an inhumane approach to a problem that we have essentially ourselves created. What a brutal approach to consider when there are humane alternatives. What an ill-considered approach when it’s been proven that hunting and killing deer results in deer becoming more prolific reproducers.
The most obvious, effective and humane solution to the “deer problem” is deer contraception. There have been many studies that are easy to obtain that prove this. One such study which has come out of Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine has had success with a vaccine called Porcine Zona Pellucida (PZP). In short, this study indicates and proves that this particular immunocontrapception is much more effective in controlling the deer population than hunting is and is inarguably much more humane. Once again, please take the time to research the many studies that have been done.
Another simple strategy in terms of minimizing the loss of shrubs and flowers to deer on homeowners’ property is to not plant what deer like to eat. There are so many beautiful shrubs and flowers available that deer will not eat. Here are a few: Delphinium, Cleome, Cosmos, Marigold, Boxwoods, Juniper, Viburnum. Is it fair that a deer take an arrow to her/his body so you can plant a flower that likely isn’t even indigenous to this area? We have choices—do the deer?
To avoid car/deer collisions we can also drive our cars at the legal speed limit (or under the speed limit) to protect these innocent animals, ourselves, our cars and, of course, our children.
As far as Lyme disease is concerned, deer are not the only animals that carry the ticks that cause Lyme disease. Birds are not only capable of but actively transport ticks. Squirrels, raccoons, opossums, chipmunks, and mice all carry and spread the disease. The bigger question is why and how? One answer is climate change. There’s a reason my husband was bitten by a tick on Christmas Day while walking through the woods. Our winters aren’t cold enough anymore and ticks now easily survive these warmer winters we’re having. Next time you go for a walk in the woods, take a close look at how all of the trees are losing branches and are water damaged. That’s an example of the effects of climate change. Humans’ activity is killing our trees, not the deer.
With regard to the argument that the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife is making to encourage the bow hunt, please note that this organization is a hunting organization that profits off every license and permit sold. This agency, which encourages and supports hunting throughout the state is not the appropriate agency to be making recommendations regarding wildlife. They are biased in their approach and are not interested in preserving wildlife whatsoever.
We’ve built houses bigger than what we need on properties that are larger than what is truly usable. In doing that we’ve taken away the natural beauty of our land at the cost of our forests and our wildlife. Why should innocent animals, that feel pain, protect their children and have family structures no different than our own pay the price for our overindulgences and for what we measure as our entitlement.
On a side note, around three years ago when Englewood was considering a bow hunt, I was able to quickly gather 500 signatures on a petition opposing the hunt. I could have easily gotten many more. When collecting these signatures, nine out of 10 Englewood residents gladly signed my petition and were opposed to the hunt. I would imagine this would still be the case today if I were to start another petition.