Bow hunting to cull deer to continue in Millstone
Some residents have issues with hunters' proximity to private properties
BY JANE MEGGITT Staff Writer

MILLSTONE — Scotto Farm Lane residents are upset about deer hunting on property abutting their residential neighborhood.

Two neighbors brought their concerns to the Township Committee at the Aug. 6 meeting. Earlier in the evening, the governing body approved a resolution to allow bow hunting of deer on certain township land. Mayor Nancy Grbelja abstained from the vote.

The resolution states that the limited hunting on township-owned properties and open space is part of a deer management plan for reducing the township's deer population. The resolution permits bow hunting of white-tailed deer during the 2008-09 hunting season.

Under the provisions of the resolution, all hunts on township land will be conducted under the supervision of the United Bow Hunters of New Jersey (UBHNJ) in accordance with terms and conditions agreed upon by that group and the township.

Township Administrator James Pickering said hunting will take place on 10 acres along Perrineville Road, 30 acres along Backbone Hill Road, 22 acres along Baird Road, 15 acres along Disbrow Hill Road and 23 acres along Hickory Lane.

Kathy Springer, of Scotto Farm Lane, said her neighbors find UBHNJ signs on their properties, and asked how close the hunters can get to houses. Pickering said hunters are allowed to use firearms within 450 feet of a dwelling.

Springer's neighbor, Dr. Jaime Martinez, said he and his wife are concerned, because they hear gunshots periodically and found a shotgun shell 50 feet from their house. He gave the shell to Pickering.

Pickering told Martinez that the shotgun shell was used for small game, and had not been fired recently.

Martinez said he called the New Jersey State Police when he heard shots. He said the police arrived in 15 minutes, but never went farther than the deck of his home to investigate.

"How will the rules be enforced if the state police will not investigate further?" he asked.

Springer said Hyceron Inc. owns the 44- acre property behind her home.

Pickering said he would go to the Scotto Farm Lane neighborhood to look into the situation, but said private property owners can allow hunting on their properties. He said the families should call the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife wardens at the nearby Assunpink Wildlife ManagementArea for law enforcement in the event of a hunting violation.

Grbelja, who said she does not like hunting, said only approved bow hunters can hunt on township property. The UBHNJ hunters have a certain skill level, and report people hunting with shotguns on township property, she said.

 

Pickering said members

of the UBHNJ hunt

from tree stands, and that

the township does not allow firearms on its properties. Springer said that she has taken down tree stands that hunters have erected on her lot.

Committeemen Elias Abilheira said hunting is allowed on private property as long as it is 450 feet away from any dwelling.

"Millstone has always been a town where you can hunt during hunting season," he said.

Abilheira noted that there have been incidents with bullets going into residents' homes. He told Springer and Martinez not to confront hunters, but to get their license plate numbers in the event of a hunting violation. Abilheira also suggested putting up "No Trespassing" signs.

Pickering said he would give the families green "Safety Zone" signs to put along their property lines.

"Any hunter in New Jersey knows you can't have a loaded firearm" where such signs are posted, he said.

Springer said there is a conservation easement on her property, and asked if she could put up a fence to protect her family from those hunting there. Grbelja said that she could not put a fence on the easement but could put one on her property if the Zoning Board approved.