Senator Palumbo Announces Signing of Deer Management Pilot Program Legislation into Law

      New York State Senator Anthony H. Palumbo (R,C-New Suffolk) today announced that Governor Kathy Hochul signed his legislation that creates a deer management pilot program into law. The new law is designed to combat and help reduce the impact of the region's deer population in the Town of Southold, and serve as the model, in an effort to expand the program throughout the East End of Long Island.

            "The region's deer population is a major concern for area farmers and residents alike. The exploding deer population causes millions of dollars in crop loss each year, has led to an increase in motor vehicle accidents and poses health risks to families due to the spread of Lyme and other tick-borne illnesses", said Senator Palumbo. "This new law, which has broad community support, will provide the Town of Southold with the tools it needs to help reduce the deer population. This program will be a benefit to the agricultural community and residents and bring balance to the region's ecosystem and protect the environment." 

            Under the new law, the Town of Southold will work with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to ensure all guidelines are met for the taking of deer and to monitor the effectiveness of the program.