No NASCAR But Deer Hunting Takes Hold On Staten Island

The borough of parks becomes the borough of wild game:

Wanna-be hunters have been spotted bringing rifles, guns and bows into Clay Pit Ponds State Park Preserve to hunt — illegally — for the deer that have in recent years established themselves in the Charleston park and elsewhere on the South and West shores.

“It’s chaotic,” said Cherryl Mitchell, who owns the Richer Farms horse stable on Sharrotts Road. Mrs. Mitchell said she has witnessed several people “trotting through the woods” with hunting equipment and lights and fears that one of her horses, or neighbors, will be shot by accident.

“They all think they’re great white hunters. You’re going to have one of these [expletive] put a bullet through one of our houses.”

Hunting is illegal within the five boroughs. Anyone caught by state Department of Environmental Conservation police faces a $2,000 fine and/or up to one year in jail, said DEC spokeswoman Lori O’Connell.

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The recent surge in Staten Island’s deer population has some Staten Islanders, fascinated with the sport, opting to stay local.

Mrs. Mitchell is not amused.

Besides the danger to neighbors, she said, the borough should not be considered a hunting attraction.

“The point is, if you’re a hunter, what’s your great accomplishment hunting on Staten Island?” she said.