What is a ‘Cull’ & Does the Hudson Valley Need One?

Is the Hudson Valley deer population out of control? This time of year, deer are active and often find their way into roadways, which can end their lives. There is definitely a love hate relationship with deer in the Hudson Valley. Not only as homeowners who which that the deer would stop eating their plants, but also with the spread of lyme disease.

The definition of "Cull" from Merriam Webster.com:

"to reduce or control the size of (something, such as a herd) by removal (as by hunting) of especially weaker animals; also :to hunt or kill (animals) as a means of population control.  example, "The town issued hunting licenses in order to cull the deer population."

Should there be culls? In recent years, Vassar College has performed a cull in the winter when students are home on winter break. The venison is then donated to help feed the homeless.

Is it too extreme to perform a cull like this? Should we just leave them alone?