New Jersey Assembly Bill A2197

New Jersey 2024-2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/9/24
• Refer: 1/9/24

Caption

Prohibits Fish and Game Council and Division of Fish and Wildlife from requiring, for deer management plans, written consent of private landowners located in, or within 2,000 feet of, deer management area.

Impact

This bill is expected to have a significant impact on deer management strategies within affected municipalities. By eliminating the consent requirement, local governing bodies and agriculture boards can implement community-based plans more efficiently, which could potentially enhance public safety and address human-deer conflicts more directly. Proponents of the bill assert that it will allow for more proactive measures in dealing with deer populations while ensuring that necessary actions are taken without bureaucratic delays. However, the removal of consent may raise concerns among landowners regarding unauthorized access and potential impacts on their property.

Summary

Assembly Bill A2197, introduced in New Jersey, aims to amend existing laws concerning deer management plans by prohibiting the Fish and Game Council and the Division of Fish and Wildlife from requiring written consent from private landowners whose properties are located within or 2,000 feet of designated deer management areas. This legislative change is designed to streamline the implementation of community-based deer management plans that address overpopulation issues through various methods, including alternative control techniques rather than traditional hunting methods. The bill reflects a growing concern for balancing wildlife management with community needs.

Contention

Critics of A2197 have raised important concerns about the implications of removing the landowner consent requirement. They argue that landowners should maintain the right to control access to their property, particularly when it comes to activities that could affect their land, such as deer retrieval operations by government agents. The discussions surrounding the bill highlight a tension between effective wildlife management and the rights of private landowners, suggesting that while the bill aims to simplify processes and enhance deer population management, it may inadvertently infringe upon individual property rights and raise issues of trust between local governments and residents.