Deer management pilot program called a ‘success’

A four-month controlled archery hunt in Frick and Riverview parks removed 108 white-tailed deer. Proclaiming the pilot a “tremendous success” in a harvest report released Wednesday, the city is looking into expanding the program later this year.

This potential second phase of the program, likely to start in September, would add Schenley, Highland and Emerald View parks, per the report.

“I’ve heard from residents from all across the city about their concerns with the growing number of deer and the impact they are having in our parks,” said Mayor Ed Gainey said in the release. “Thanks to the hard work of our park rangers, and the collaboration with the [U.S. Department of Agriculture], this program was a tremendous success.”

Deer control plans were conceived last year by city council and the mayor’s staff with the cooperation of the USDA and Pennsylvania Game Commission.

In Pittsburgh’s first deer management program, 30 vetted volunteer archers from Allegheny County were selected, and 15 at a time hunted from elevated tree stands while the parks were open to the public. The hunt ended Jan. 27. The city said no public safety incidents occurred.

In the parlance of wildlife management, a “controlled archery hunt” recruits a limited number of volunteer participants. An organizer sets harvest goals, plans the hunt and posts hunters at elevated positions within an established area. Proper licensing and compliance with game laws and regulations are required and no additional hunters are allowed within hunt parameters.

Because antlerless deer determine herd population, the park archers were required to take a doe before shooting a buck. The harvest report did not include the deer sex ratio, but 59 deer were donated to a food sharing program which processed 2,360 pounds of ground venison that was delivered to Pittsburgh food banks and 9,440 meals were served to Pittsburghers with uncertain food availability.

In 2010, with residents complaining there were too many deer, city council commissioned the USDA to study deer density in the parks. The study found the parks capable of supporting no more than 10 deer per square mile, but estimated the parks held 51 deer per square mile. USDA recommended that Pittsburgh organize a controlled archery hunt to reduce deer density in the parks. Council took no action.

Mature deer in Pennsylvania have no natural predators. Game Commission biologists say that when deer share tight urban spaces with high numbers of people, deer populations double every 2 to 2½ years. In 2023, 13 years after the USDA’s recommendation, Mr. Gainey and council responded to residents’ demands that the city launch a deer abatement program.

More information, including an overview of the pilot program and next steps to be taken, can be found at Pittsburgh Deer Management Pilot Program.