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The following non-binding referendum question will be on the November 3 election ballot:
Referendum Question
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.
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.
What Does a Deer Cull Look Like? NEW INFORMATION
A deer cull would only happen if a decision is made by the Mayor and Council to move forward with a deer cull by bow and arrow and a deer management plan is approved by New Jersey Fish & Wildlife. The Mayor and Council wanted to provide some information as to what a deer cull may look like if it were to move forward.
The United Bowhunters of New Jersey has provided the following information based on its practices so that residents can better understand this process. Please keep in mind that this information is illustrative only as the specific means and methods would be determined based on a Borough deer management plan that has not yet been prepared (much less approved).
Key steps and action items:
- Mayor and Council decide to move forward based on an approved deer management plan.
- A contract is entered into with the parties involved.
- Residents are asked if they would like to be included in the program.
- Borough properties that could be a huntable location, if any, are identified.
- Locations to keep away from are identified.
- Bow hunters select qualified hunters that are active members of the organization based on criteria in the Borough's deer management plan.
- Hunters are assigned to huntable locations.
Hunters only hunt from an elevated position and are instructed to shoot antlerless deer only initially. The approved deer hunting organization implements a proficiency test implemented by senior safety officers before hunters can be considered.
Hunters would not be hunting open spaces and will be very aware of the surrounding properties in case of the deer running off after the shot. Arrows normally pass through the animal and the ground acts as a backstop. Hunters would bait the animals to have them present a clean ethical shot.
Hunting organization requires every homeowner that has given permission to hunt on their property to approve hunters and the hunting organization will hold harmless the property owners and the Borough from any liability, and provide appropriate insurance. The hunting organization must comply with rules as required by the Borough.
United Bowhunters of New Jersey
Click here for PowerPoint presentation.
Public Education Session
A Public Education Session was held on Thursday, September 17, at 7:00 pm, in the Multipurpose Room at the Franklin Avenue Middle School. The purpose of the session was 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.
The session was recorded (audio) and the speakers used PowerPoint presentations in support of their presentations:
Audio Recording
PowerPoint Presentations
Raritan Valley Community College
Impacts of White-Tailed Deer in Northern New Jersey
- Brian Schumm, Senior Biologist
New Jersey Fish & Wildlife
See presentation materials and other resources below.
Animal Protection League of New Jersey
Deer, Hunting, and Compassionate Conservation
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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