It was mentioned at the meeting I attended at DNREC when they were discussing the use of Dept. of Agriculture employees to take out the 600 deer for study purposes (aka the "snipers") last year. I gave my info to Greg Moore (with DNREC)and I got on the list. The first classes were held this past Jan, Feb and March.
In case anyone is interested, there was some interesting things that happened with the"600 sample deer"
At the DNREC mtg, a bunch of folks told DNREC that if they wanted samples, don't spend the money for the Dept of Ag people, we'd do it for free and drop off the deer. Thebigproblem was that hunters would have to use their own tags for the deer and would not be given a replacement tag.That didn't go over well. DNREC setup refrigerated containers at drop off points around the state for the Jan shotgun and Muzzleloader seasons and hunters could donate the deer. Well, hunters only donated a little over 100 deer. So DNREC brought in the Dept of Ag folks to get the remaining 500+ sample deer. The method was using 2 small caliber rifles (a .223 and a 22-250)with suppressors attached, spotlighting the deer, and shooting them. Incidentaly, one of the guys at the DNREC meeting quipped, "We do that crap and you call it poaching and arrest us!"
Anyway, the "professionals" only managed about another 100 deer. One of the bioligists stated that anytime they shined a spotlight into a farm field the deer would run. Seems they'd been through this drill before! Anyway, the final cost ended up being more expensive on the donated deer 'cause they paid people overtime to sit at the drop off points.