What more could be done to help reduce deer numbers?
The most important thing to understand is that CT DEP sets deer population levels through their regulations and this is the state agency to appeal to for help in getting town deer numbers back under control. They have special permit programs available for controlling deer in problem residential areas that allows deer removals (by professionals or trained volunteers) outside the sport hunting season and with different techniques. It has also been suggested that extending the recreational hunting season by another month or two would be very effective. Dr Sam Telford of Harvard University, pointed out that “expanding hunting is free, effective and safe. In addition it contributes to the local economy.” Leadership and directives from bodies such as the Dept of Public Health and from the DEP would go a long way toward facilitating effective deer control, much of which relies on private land owners allowing hunters onto their land. Individual towns may differ in how they accomplish deer cont
