Princeton approves White Buffalo contracts for deer management and population survey amid council concern

The Mayor and Council of Princeton on Sept. 23 awarded two contracts to White Buffalo Inc.: up to $183,167.90 for specialized deer management services and up to $22,897.60 to conduct a deer population survey. The resolutions were moved, seconded and approved by voice vote. During discussion, councilmember Layton (identified in the meeting as raising public concerns) relayed constituent distress about lethal management methods, asked why sterilization was not used and urged residents to contact state legislators to seek authority for different, more “humane” options. He referenced material in the council packet describing sharpshooting methods and said constituents had strong emotional reactions. Council members who voted in favor did not record dissent in the meeting record. The municipality said the deer-management contract was for extraordinary unspecified services and that a separate survey would provide baseline population data. Council staff and packet materials noted that state rules and authorities govern allowable management techniques; the council indicated the action responds to local wildlife concerns while leaving any change in permitted methods to state legislators.