A plan to allow deer hunting on preserved open space in Raritan Township should not be allowed to happen.
To the editor:
The Raritan Township Committee revealed at a recent meeting that the township's Open Space Committee supports a deer-killing hunt on property preserved as open space.
The fact is all residents have paid tax dollars for open space at the town, county and state level to save trees and animals and protect clean water for the past 30 years.
This proposal would kill and wound animals that deserve peaceful spots to live since they have been driven out of sites where developers build.
That is the purpose of the open space tax: To provide peaceful decent places for wildlife and birds to live in peace. Why send in hunters who kill 150 feet from your backyard and endanger all? Bullets can travel a mile. You will find arrows in your driveway. Hunters have shot and killed non-game animals and each other, as they did in Readington. They are a danger. This is not necessary. This action is cruel.
9 sites where Raritan could allow deer hunting
Please join with me and ask for an unbiased township survey that takes all township residents into account. What did we think we were saving when we all were gouged to pay for open space for the past 30 years, that open space we paid to save now appears to be used for profit making ventures like farms, hunting preserves and logging sites.
Where can the animals live if huge human use taking place as it is. This proposed action by the Raritan Township council is cruel.
Please join with me in protesting this action, which is abusive to the animals and to the huge sums we have all paid in taxes to preserve open space.
Only 1-percent of all New Jersey people hunt and kill animals in the present day - it is a declining, cruel and abusive sport, and allowing it encourages poaching.
Let's save our lands from lead shot pollution and people creeping up in our backyard with lethal instruments of death. Please write to stopraritantwpdeerkilling@outlook.com to express your horror at this proposal.
Barbara Sachau
Flemington