Politics & Government

Deer Hunting Law to be Considered Monday

Hopatcong to also introduce ordinance allowing deer fencing.

Hopatcong will take a step toward allowing deer hunting for the first time as part of introducing a deer-management ordinance at a council meeting at the at 6:30 p.m. Monday.

The ordinance, which would still be subject to a July 11 approval, would also establish a deer-management task force and allow deer fencing.

Read the PDF on the right for more.

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Deer have been a sore subject at council meetings and on the roads as of late. The animals caused 45 accidents in Hopatcong in 2009, 53 in 2010 and 114 in 2011, Councilman Mike Francis said.

Francis first introduced the idea in Februrary.

Find out what's happening in Hopatcong-Spartawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Only bow-and-arrow hunting on municipal property predetermined by the deer-management task force, a mayor-appointed group of residents. Hunters would have to apply for permits through the borough clerk.

Firearms would not be permitted during the hunt, which the deer-management task force would have to recommend to the council by Aug. 15 each year. The task force would also suggest the number of permits—to be issued on a first-come, first-serve basis—and time periods for the hunt.

Each hunting permit would cost $250.

Deer fencing would only be allowed in rear and side yards; couldn’t be taller than 8 feet and must be constructed by polypropylene or a metal core covered by polypropylene. The fencing, would only be available via permit, would also have to be well-secured and be colored “black, brown, or green to harmonize with the surrounding landscape of the area,” according to the ordinance.

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