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Ardentown committee recommends one-time archery hunt to reduce herd in Sunnyside Tract
Summary
An Ardentown ad-hoc Deer Management Committee recommended allowing a one-time archery hunt in late Oct/Nov 2025 to remove about 12–15 deer from the 35-acre Sunnyside Tract, citing DNREC consultation and wildlife-camera counts; the plan drew discussion about ethics, nonlethal alternatives and donation options.
At the May 12 Village of Ardentown meeting, Cindy Cohen read the Deer Management Plan developed by an ad-hoc Ardens committee and recommended a one-time archery hunt in the Sunnyside Tract to reduce the herd to an estimated carrying capacity.
The plan, reviewed in consultation with DNREC, says the committee suggests allowing 12–15 deer to be removed from the 35-acre tract and recommends scheduling the harvest for late October or November 2025 to avoid fawn season. The committee intends to use experienced local archery hunters and suggested donations of edible meat to programs such as Delaware Hunters Against Hunger when feasible.
The plan traces the decision to recent monitoring: committee members deployed wildlife cameras and identified more than 25 deer in Sunnyside this winter; a DNREC wildlife biologist estimated the population could be at least 30. Minutes note that the committee believes animals come into Sunnyside from the railroad corridor and nearby Bellevue State Park.
During the town meeting, residents and committee members discussed monitoring and ethical safeguards for hunters, possible nonlethal alternatives such as contraception (noting practical limits), and whether harvested deer could be donated to food banks. The minutes record concerns that some residents prefer nonlethal options and said relocation is generally not viable.
Cindy Cohen read: "The Committee suggests allowing 12-15 deer to be removed. The 35 acres of the Sunnyside tract is greatly overpopulated from what DNREC thinks it can handle, and reducing the herd will allow for a healthier ecosystem to best support the deer." The minutes show the committee will publicize any event, post signage and restrict access during the hunt.
The plan as presented is a recommendation; the minutes record discussion but do not document a formal vote to implement a hunt at this meeting. Committee members encouraged residents with questions to contact them before plans are finalized.
