(WBNG Binghamton) Binghamton University's deer culling plan goes to court, but no decision yet from the Judge on the fate of the deer at the University's Nature Preserve.
BU planned to hire a professional group of sharpshooters to eliminate 90 percent of its deer population during students' winter break.
"It's the tactics that they're using are not right. Before you can shoot a deer you have to hunt for it and they shouldn't be exempt from these laws," says Ron Potter of Port Crane.
A former BU professor brought the lawsuit to State Supreme Court in Broome County on Thursday to try to stop the culling.
"For thirty seven years I've been living there and of course I have a whole lot of neighbors about forty houses on my side and across the street and for thirty seven years I've been enjoying the deer coming in my backyard," says Charles Carpenter.
Carpenter's attorney says BU failed to complete a safety study or review of their plan.
"In the paper, which was actually, they call it a study I would say it's a term paper by an undergraduate. He listed several options that he had studied and fencing was not an option," says attorney David Bernheim.
BU says the deer are killing off wildlife in the preserve and preventing forest regeneration.
In a statement to Action News Binghamton University says "Mike Danaher, the assistant state attorney general, presented our case very well this morning and we believe we are on firm legal ground."
But some residents have a different plan.
"Stop feeding the deer this organic material from your nurseries, have a lottery and let local hunters go up there," says Steve Tompkins of Dickinson.
Bernheim says BU has not given the public the opportunity to discuss and organize in a public hearing on the issue.
BU says it had an informational session on December 6th.
The temporary restraining order, barring the University from starting the culling process, is upheld until a ruling is made by the Honorable Molly Fitzgerald.
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