Hopewell Township, N.J. agreed Monday to open municipally owned land to hunters in an effort to cull the white-tailed deer population that is spreading disease, causing traffic accidents and damaging crops and landscaping.

Under an ordinance unanimously adopted by the governing body, the town will conduct a lottery for the sale of $100 special permits that will give licensed hunters access to designated sites on more than 160 acres.

Up to 65 permits will be issued each year in the township’s first step toward its goal of reducing its deer population 25 percent by next year and 75 percent by 2019.

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