Princeton Approves Deer Population Control Contract
The city council authorized a $120,000 agreement with White Buffalo Inc. to manage the local deer population this winter.
Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Hunting
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Princeton officials have approved a contract for deer removal services following a drone survey that identified 963 deer within city limits. The management plan aims to address high deer density through sharpshooting and other removal methods.
Why it matters
The municipality is implementing these measures to lower the deer population and mitigate public safety issues like vehicle collisions. The project remains necessary as local authorities continue to face state-level restrictions on alternative deer management programs.
A January 2026 drone survey estimated a density of 52 deer per square mile in Princeton. The new contract with White Buffalo Inc. targets the removal of 175 deer over a 20-day period starting in early 2027.
The players
Princeton City Council
The local governing body responsible for municipal policy, budget approvals, and public safety initiatives.
White Buffalo Inc.
A wildlife management firm that specializes in professional deer population control through sharpshooting and other culling methods.
The details
Sharpshooters will operate over 20 days using bait sites to draw deer, with captive bolt guns and drop nets utilized in areas where firearms are restricted. This continues a long-standing management effort that has utilized periodic sharpshooting and managed archery since 2001.
Timeline
Sharpshooting and archery services occurred periodically between 2001 and 2010.
A drone survey in January 2026 recorded 963 deer in the area.
Vehicle collisions caused 39 deer deaths through mid-August 2026.
The city council approved the $120,000 contract on October 12, 2026.
Sharpshooting operations are scheduled for 20 days beginning in January or February 2027.
Culture Shift
The municipality's reliance on lethal culling follows a pattern set by the state government's existing restrictions on deer birth control programs. This approach highlights the ongoing tension between suburban growth and the management of local wildlife populations.
Residents should be aware of the planned sharpshooting operations scheduled for early 2027, which will occur on specific sites. The initiative aims to reduce the number of deer-related vehicle collisions that affected the area through the summer of 2026.
The takeaway
Effective deer population control often requires a combination of survey data and professional removal services to maintain public safety. Residents are encouraged to monitor local municipal updates to stay informed about operations that may impact specific areas of the city.
What happens next
Sharpshooting operations are scheduled to take place over a 20-day period starting in late January or early February 2027.
Further reading
For more information on wildlife management, visit the Hunting section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Patch.
Live Poll
Should your local government prioritize lethal deer culling over non-lethal population control methods?
