Proposed legislation would allow deer to be shot in Southold to reduce population
Some of the main reasons for the program to reduce deer in town are car accidents, tick-borne illnesses and damage to property.
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A proposal to cut down the deer population in Southold calls for allowing the animals to be shot within the town.
Some of the main reasons for the program to reduce deer in town are car accidents, tick-borne illnesses and damage to property.
The bill, which is still is awaiting Gov. Kathy Hochul's signature, would issue permits for certified nuisance wildlife specialists hired or contracted out by the state of federal government to shoot deer in the town.
Hunter William Leonardi is on board with the plan but thinks it would make more sense for residents who hunt to shoot the deer.
"I think if they changed it recreationally, you know, maybe let us take care of it ourselves instead of doing it that ways maybe we could work around something," Leonardi says.
Director of the Evelyn Alexander Wildlife Sanctuary in Hampton Bays Christian Strub admits the deer population is an issue but says there are other ways to control it without killing the animals.
"I would hope that we could carve out more green spaces for not just the deer, but for all of Long Island's wildlife to live in," Strub says. "If we could carve out more protected spaces for wildlife, that could help."
Strub also says he has heard of birth control methods for deer that are being used in other part of the country.
