(10/18/06) LLOYD HARBOR ? The Village of Lloyd Harbor ordered the shooting deaths of dozens of deer to control the population at Caumsett State Park.

George Gorman of the New York State Parks Department estimates more than 60 deer live in the 1,600-acre park, but says only 20 should be in the area. To limit the population, Gorman says a parks employee uses a shotgun to shoot deer near West Neck Road. The Seminary of the Immaculate Conception is also nearby and says they allow the shootings to occur on the property because, according to the parks department, the deer are a danger to the community.

Animal activists say the deer should be sterilized instead of killed. Shootings must occur at least 500 yards from the Fiddler?s Green Association border, yet some residents claim they found shotgun cases closer to the line.

Gorman adds that after the parks employees kill the deer, the remains are processed and distributed to community soup kitchens.