Deer Culling And Property Values

To the Editor:

I’m concerned that The Bee article “Deer Management: An Issue Fraught With Emotion” [Bee, 11/28/08] failed to report the facts I presented at the Conservation Commission meeting on November 25. While the article reported my experience with a wounded buck in my yard who had been shot but not killed by a neighbor using a bow and arrow, it failed to report the critical facts that each Newtown/Sandy Hook resident needs to know about the effects that deer culling will have on our property values.

I’m a realtor in Newtown and know the value of owning a home that borders “open space.” Properties that share a border with town-designated open space are valued thousands of dollars higher than a comparable home in the same neighborhood that doesn’t border open space. In fact, just owning land in the neighborhood of a designated open space adds value to the entire neighborhood because it is marketed as “restricted” or “preserved” land.

The Conservation Committee is mandated under state statute to advise the Planning and Zoning Commission about regulating the natural resources for Newtown, which include open space land. If we allow our open space land to be used for deer culling, it would greatly reduce property values. Keep in mind that there are two main methods of culling. Bow hunting, which has a 40–60 percent crippling rate (deer wounded but not killed), and “net and bolt,” which lures deer with food, catches them in a net and kills them with a skull-puncturing device.

When marketing these properties we would be bound to disclose to potential buyers that the town has allowed a deer culling on this land and there is no guarantee that it won’t happen again in the future. For these homeowners, property values will never be the same. It’s not considered a safe haven anymore, and families with small children or those against hunting may see considerable negative aspects to sharing this open space border.

As you read this letter, the town is forming a task force to decide whether or not to allow deer culling in Newtown. This happened recently in Brookfield and the majority of residents were not aware the town approved the culling until it was too late. You have rights. Please speak up. There are many other alternatives to stopping Lyme disease and lessening the deer population. Don’t let them change our precious protected open space. Let our families, our children, our hikers, nature walkers, horse trail users, and all our town residents be able to use that designated space as it is intended — as a safe, protected, beautiful piece of land to enjoy.

I presented these points, among others, at the Conservation Commission meeting on November 25. I don’t know why these factual points about home values weren’t included in The Bee’s article last week, but I do know that anyone wishing to learn more about the direct and indirect costs of deer culling should come to the Board of Selectmen meeting on December 15 at 7:30 pm at Booth Library.

Lorrie Silber

61 Riverside Road, Sandy Hook                              December 3, 2008