Anonymous submission
When we moved to the Croton-Ossining-New Castle area junction in Westchester County, NY, in August of 2011, we were enchanted with the natural beauty of the area – it felt like “nature undisturbed.” It was quiet, surrounded by diverse flora and fauna. Featured were great outdoor spaces, and hiking trails very nearby, especially at Teatown Lake Reservation. Lovely and generous people greeted us. Seemingly like-minded people who enjoyed observing all the various creatures in the woods and leaving them alone warmly welcomed my family to the area.
My impression of Teatown Lake Reservation was that it was truly a nature preserve and a center for learning about nature, filled with people who had a deep love of all animals – from the turtles crossing the roads to the chipmunks, to the beautiful deer. I was so happy to have such close proximity to Teatown and loved to walk my dogs around the lake. All members of my family enjoyed walking the trails there. We felt so fortunate to live here; it felt safe and peaceful. Beautiful and undisturbed.
Last year, that all changed.
With utter ruthlessness, with no concern for what the public/neighbors might have thought of the idea of a deer slaughter, with no interest in exploring humane options, I was informed via email on February 7, 2014 that the deer killing would begin that very evening.
Who deemed that people at Teatown had any right whatsoever to kill innocent creatures—especially with baiting and luring, then having sharpshooters aim their rifles, shoot, and then suffocate them; I found it excessively cruel.
The secretive nature of the whole ugly business—to what end, I ask? Studies have proven that the killing of the deer does not accomplish what the supporters purport that it does. There is actually a rebound effect because Mother Nature, in her wisdom, will replenish what has been eliminated. There was no public dialogue—no community meeting—in sum, no concern at all for what the neighbors or members of the nature preserve felt about this ugliness. The timing seemed sinister to me, in that, by informing the members on the morning of the already planned slaughter, we would not have any time to stop it. When I read the actual details of what these deer must endure at the hands of their slaughterers, it aroused great anger and sadness in me. The deer never had a chance—the methods employed disgusted me.
Because of Teatown Lake Reservation’s decision to continue with their plan, I elected to never renew our family’s membership. They do not uphold what they mislead me to believe that they stood for. Where in the word “preserve” is the implication of killing? I felt betrayed and taken aback at the cruelty, inhumanity, and disregard for opposing views that Teatown’s decision entailed.
And then things turned worse. This fall, just a few days before it was to start, I was notified by email and appalled at the decision of Teatown to add bow hunting on their land beginning October 1st. Again, there was no time for protest, and no time to hear opposing views. Were we given the courtesy of asking us if we approved of this in our backyards?
More importantly, what about the prolonged and inhumane suffering that is endured by an arrow that doesn’t kill immediately. There have been reports of deer being found alive with arrows shot through various parts of their bodies in areas where bow hunting is permitted. Even the term, “bow hunting” seems to sound somewhat harmless. Let’s call it what it is: being shot with a high powered bow and arrow. This is not a “sport”. It is an excuse for barbarism. The deer have no chance. This is not an even match. By the time the bowhunters in treestands have the deer in their crosshairs, the deer have already lost. Deer cannot flee in time because they are unable to detect the presence of a human until it is too late.In addition, Westchester County has instituted bow-hunting as of October 1st in a nearby neighborhood park, John Hand/Bald Mountain Park, which is adjacent to Teatown property. The 800+ acres of Teatown land is apparently not enough.
These developments have affected me greatly. Last winter there wasn’t a night that went by, once I knew the slaughter had started, that I didn’t envision the shooting and suffering of these beautiful creatures. The entire winter, brutal enough as it was, was made even more brutal in my mind when I imagined what was happening on Teatown land, nearly right in my backyard.
I find this activity to be inhumane, shortsighted, and cruel. It is sending the message that when one group deems a certain species of wildlife to be a nuisance, then it’s ok to get as many people as possible with as many methods as possible to get rid of them.
My family and I have decided to move away from the area. The paradise that we envisioned is forever tainted by the cruel acts that Teatown, and now Westchester County have sanctioned.
I will never be able to erase from my mind last winter when I waited to hear shots in the night. It will forever haunt me.
The author is a Croton-on-Hudson resident.