Letter: Choice Between Dart and Shotgun a 'No-Brainer'

Recently, the Animal Protection League of New Jersey responded to Hilltop Conservancy anti-deer activist Theresa Trapp’s claim that deer killing programs are somehow superior to non-lethal approaches.

Now, Ms. Trapp has responded to our response (March 19). Humane deer management is an important public issue. We welcome the exchange, but we do insist on adherence to fact and avoidance of straw man arguments.

Key facts omitted in Hilltop Conservancy’s initial pro-kill position included white-tailed deer response to hunting programs (stimulated reproduction), the Department of Agriculture’s rating of GonaCon’s efficacy, burdensome requirements that deer be captured and inoculated account for most of the cost, and the ecologically damaging results of widespread deer baiting, which also improves deer reproduction.

As stated in our initial response, the League is working to obtain more practical delivery systems so that contraceptives are in broader use and less costly.

On March 18, Ms. Trapp told readers that GonaCon costs “$3,000 plus for deer.”  USDA stipulates “several hundred” – not thousands – of dollars:

Q. How much does GonaCon™ cost?

A. The vaccine itself costs very little per dose. The main cost of using GonaCon™ is associated with the time and money required to capture and vaccinate the deer. This cost can be several hundred dollars per deer depending upon many factors, such as how many deer need to be captured and whether the deer are easy or difficult to catch. (APHIS)

Ms. Trapp also claimed a “low effective rate” for GonaCon.  According to USDA:

However, in field studies in New Jersey and Maryland using free-ranging deer in semi-enclosed urban settings, a single shot of GonaCon™ prevented pregnancy in 67-88 percent of the deer in the first year and in 47-48 percent the second year. In pen studies, the vaccine successfully kept 4 out of 5 female deer infertile for 5 years. A second shot given the same year or in subsequent years can increase effectiveness, potentially rendering deer infertile for life. (APHIS)

The straw men are many: Ms. Trapp makes a case against “dropnets and box traps” – neither of which has been remotely suggested by the League. And “surgical sterilization” – also not suggested by the League. Let’s keep it to the hard facts we have raised.

Ms. Trapp now says that her opposition to contraception is due to “legal impediments,” citing an easily changed regulation that requires written permission from every property owner within 2,000 feet of the dart site. She cites a “theory” that darted deer could enter private property, something that gun-or-arrow stricken deer do with regularity. 

A recent local article highlighted the emotional reactions of residents near Essex County kill sites. Many property owners loathe to permit the wounding or killing of animals on their property may agree to a humane, non-lethal contraception near same.

Is GonaCon perfect for the statewide deer herd? No. It was developed for use in suburban and discrete areas. But the statewide herd is in fact declining.  Widespread baiting of deer for hunting and ongoing habitat development that “maximizes” deer numbers are actually increasing. Before automatically assuming that deer must be “controlled,” let us first objectively assess the various policies that permit the hunting lobby to have deer, and “control” them too.

Finally, the depth of antagonism toward an animal that leads to energetic promotion of killing based on such weak arguments eludes us. Surely, and as shown by surveys, the majority of New Jersey residents are compassionate. For most, the choice between a dart and a shotgun is a no brainer.

Susan Russell, Wildlife Policy Specialist
Animal Protection League of New Jersey