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A Public Education Session has been scheduled for Thursday, September 17, at 7:00 pm, in the Multipurpose Room at the Franklin Avenue Middle School. The purpose of the session is for speakers to provide information that may be valuable for residents that want to become more informed on issues relevant to the upcoming referendum on deer management – scheduled for the November ballot.
As previously announced, the Mayor and Council have approved a resolution requesting that the Bergen County Clerk place a public question on the General Election Ballot in November. The following public question and “Interpretive Statement” will be on the ballot:
Public Question
Should the Borough consider conducting a deer cull by bow and arrow annually for three years for the purpose of managing the deer population?
Interpretive Statement
This public question asks whether the Borough should consider establishing a deer management program to address issues associated with the deer population within the Borough. The program would provide for a deer cull by use of controlled bow and arrow hunting by professional bow hunters, which is a management technique approved by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. Supporters contend that deer management may reduce vehicle collisions, damage to vegetation, and impacts on local ecosystems. Opponents contend that lethal management methods are unnecessary or objectionable and that nonlethal alternatives should be used. This public referendum is non-binding.
Borough voters will vote “Yes” or “No” on this question. The Mayor and Council, by this referendum, are seeking to ascertain the sentiment of the Borough voters on this question.
The Borough will record the Public Education Session for those unable to attend. This Information is being disseminated with the objective of providing resources to allow residents to make an informed decision on how to vote on the referendum question.
By placing this referendum question on the ballot, the Mayor and Council is not advocating for or against deer management. At the Public Information Session, residents will be able to ask questions of the presenters, but the Mayor and Council will not be taking questions themselves. They will be there to continue learning more about the issues in the same way as residents.
Public Education Session Speakers
At the Public Education Session on September 17, the following organizations will be speaking and answering questions:
• New Jersey Fish & Wildlife
Click here for their webpage on “Community-Based Deer Management.”
Click here for New Jersey Fish & Wildlife presentation for New Jersey Forestry Association.
Community-Based Deer Management Fact Sheet
"Why Do Deer Require Management in New Jersey?"
• Animal Protection League of New Jersey
Click here for their webpage on “Deer Resources & Information.”
Click here for their presentation.
• Raritan Valley Community College
Click here and then click on “Forest & Wildlife Ecology” for more information.
Click here for the May 17, 2026 Deer Density Study.
Other Educational Resources
• Deer New Jersey
Deer New Jersey packet
Deer New Jersey flyers
Deer New Jersey presentation
• Humane World For Animals
“Solving Problems with Deer – A Template Conflict Management Plan”
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