Another Protest Planned Saturday For Deer, Coyote Cull In Bergen County Town

BERGEN COUNTY, NJ — Now that a Bergen County borough plans to use bowhunters to decrease the population of deer and coyotes, statewide animal advocates have scheduled a new protest.

They've planned a new demonstration this Saturday and have drawn more than 600 signatures on a petition to stop the "cull."

The Saddle River Borough Council voted to approve a contract with United Bowhunters — a state non-profit organization — at an August meeting. Their esolution said the borough "has a concern as to the overall deer and coyote population and its effect on the health and safety of the residents of the Borough of Saddle River as well as those who travel through the Borough."

UBNJ, based in Spotswood, conducts deer and coyote "culls," or organized hunts, to thin populations in various areas.

But the cull program in that town was temporarily suspended in 2023 to evaluate its impact, according to a story in the Record.

From 2022-2023, 50 deer were "culled," according to a detailed report from the town.

A website called Keep Saddle River Safe said a local group had recommended pausing the cull program back in 2020.

Other towns and counties have conducted culls, such as Essex County, but these programs often draw criticism from animal activists.

Seven years ago, a group of "aggressive" coyotes surrounded a dog walker in Saddle River, said news reports at the time.

The Protest

The Animal Protection League of New Jersey is hosting the protest in front of the Saddle River Municipal Building.

It will be held this Saturday from 1 p.m. to 2:15, rain or shine at the Saddle River Municipal Building, 100 East Allendale Road and 77 East Saddle River Road.

They said, "Backyard Bow Hunting in Saddle River:

· is recreational.

· did not lower deer/vehicle collisions in Saddle River as demonstrated by objective data analysis.

· endangers families. Street locations where hunting took place during the previous hunt are here.

· uses taxpayer money. The local police must help hunters locate wounded deer at taxpayer expense. See police reports here.

· results in wounded and dying deer wandering into adjacent backyards."

They said, "In 2023 (election year), Mayor Kurpis and Council paused the controversial bow hunt, claiming it was to finally conduct a data review. NO review took place and on August 19, 2024, Mayor Kurpis and Council signed a new contract with United Bow Hunters of New Jersey."

See the petition here.