For all of time hunting has been an effective way to control the deer population. And over time regulations, courses and licenses have enabled responsible people with the skill and ability to hunt safely and ethically. Yet, New York Cities Staten Island does not believe that this practice which has proven effective time and time again is the right choice.

Mayor Bill de Blasio and other officials have instead decided to spend an estimated two million dollars to perform vasectomies on an estimated 1,000 deer over the next three years. If you do not understand the problem, let me give you some facts. Not only is the two million tax payers money but it will be spent in vain. There is an estimated one thousand male deer on Staten Island. There is not way however to ensure the sterilization of all the deer. Even one buck can breed with a large number of does. Also does are unable to go back into the breeding cycle until she gets pregnant, and a hot doe will attract rutting bucks for months. Therefore, even by spending this large portion of tax payers money the population will not be controlled, does will still get pregnant even by only a few bucks breeding.

Especially in the time in which we live in there is a large call for more "gun control" and stronger regulations. What i do not understand is why not instead of spending two million dollars worth of tax payers money have hunters PAY for permits to hunt the land. Many hunters will excitedly pay to hunt areas on Staten Island. The mayor can even require a special course for hunters to take in order to be eligible for the permit. This way instead of spending money, there would be money earned therefore, working positively for all involved.

If hunters do not want the meat they harvest it could also be set up for it to be sent to a certified butcher and donated to feed missions and food banks. Aiding the community by controlling the deer population and feeding the poor and needy. It is very likely that a certified butcher would volunteer his time to help in such an effort. And even if one did not, i can assure you that it would cost less than the proposed two million that would be spent on the ineffective vasectomies plan.

it is shocking to see what to me and i am sure to many is common sense being completely disregarded. Vasectomies are not 100% effective and even if they were the proposed plan would still fail. It may sound like a funny joke that the mayor is spending two million dollars to give deer vasectomies but the joke stops when we realize that this is reality and it is tax payers money. Let this be a wake up call, be active in your government and have your say, help prevent expensive mistakes such as this.