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Bill

MD

Bill

A 2197

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.

2024-2025 Regular Session Introduced by Mitchelle Drulis and 1 co-sponsor

New Jersey bill removes requirement for private landowner consent before implementing deer management plans on or near their property.

Introduced in the Assembly, Referred to Assembly Environment, Natural Resources, and Solid Waste Committee
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Bill Summary · A 2197

Legislative bill overview

Bill A 2197 removes the requirement for the Fish and Game Council and Division of Fish and Game to obtain written consent from private landowners in or within 2,000 feet of designated deer management areas before implementing deer management plans. This streamlines the regulatory process by eliminating a consent barrier that previously gave landowners veto power over wildlife management decisions affecting their properties.

Why is this important

Deer management in New Jersey involves population control through regulated hunting seasons and other methods that directly affect private property owners. The current consent requirement gives individual landowners significant leverage to block management plans, potentially preventing coordinated regional deer population management that could reduce vehicle collisions, agricultural damage, and ecosystem impacts across multiple properties.

Potential points of contention

  • Property rights vs. public wildlife management: Landowners lose direct control over wildlife management decisions affecting their land, raising concerns about autonomy and whether government agencies should unilaterally determine land use impacts
  • Economic and safety disparities: Some properties may experience disproportionate deer-related damage (crop loss, vehicle strikes) under management plans they opposed, while others may benefit from reduced hunting access
  • Implementation without input: Removing consent eliminates a mechanism for landowners to raise specific concerns about dangerous terrain, liability risks, or property conditions relevant to safe management plan execution

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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