Help stop the growing public health, public safety, environmental and economic crisis caused by the out-of-control deer population on the North Fork!

We urge the NYS Legislature and Governor to act immediately to establish a Pilot Deer Management Program in Southold Town now by passing S. 4804 and A. 5542 before the June 2023 adjournment!

The Town of Southold is experiencing an explosion in its deer population. This has led to a startling rise in deer-vehicle accidents, tick-borne illness, and ecological devastation.  Deer collisions in Southold are 2.5 times the national average, cruelly killing and maiming deer. 

The lack of natural predators has led to a deer overpopulation which is unmanageable with the tools currently provided by law. Our deer inundation has seriously inhibited forest regeneration, reduced desirable biodiversity, and destroyed property.

Most laws around deer hunting were crafted at a time when deer were considered a scarce resource. Today these strict parameters hinder attempts to effectively limit deer populations to sustainable and healthy levels.

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has called Southold’s deer-related problems “severe,” “wide-spread” and a “threat to human health.” In a 2021 poll 91% of Southold residents said they knew someone who had a tick-bite resulting in a tick-borne disease. 94.2% said they wanted Southold to take action. 

New York State Senator Anthony Palumbo and Assembly Member Fred Thiele have proposed legislation to establish a deer management pilot program in Southold Town.  This pilot program will be under the purview of the Department of Environmental Conservation.  The DEC will be given full authority to issue, modify, or repeal any rules or regulations regarding the recreational deer hunting season as they deem necessary, allowing the DEC to constantly monitor the changing situation and react quickly. The Town of Southold will work alongside the DEC to develop rules and processes for the safe and effective management of the program.  This should also serve as a blueprint for future partnerships between municipalities and the DEC. 
 

We urge the legislature to pass Senate Bill 4804 and Assembly Bill 5542 before the legislature adjourns this June, and we urge Governor Hochul to sign this much needed measure into law.

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