BOWHUNTERS WILL BEGIN CULLING THE WHITE-TAILED DEER POPULATION IN FRICK AND RIVERVIEW PARKS THIS SATURDAY AS PART OF THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH’S PILOT DEER MANAGEMENT PROGRAM. | PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK

Saturday, Sept. 30, marks the beginning of archery deer hunting season in Pennsylvania, along with the City of Pittsburgh’s pilot Deer Management Program.

City Council recently approved an agreement with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to help cull a growing deer population in two city parks – Frick Park and Riverview Park. Studies have shown there are at least 500 deer in Frick Park alone.

Pittsburgh’s exploding white-tailed deer population is spreading ticks and Lyme disease, becoming traffic hazards and devouring the gardens of homeowners who live near the parks. 

Thirty Allegheny County archers were chosen last week from among hundreds of applicants, following a tough accuracy test. 

City officials have assigned each hunter to a designated area in each park. They are required to kill a doe first and donate the meat to a local food bank program, such as Hunters Sharing the Harvest. Hunters are then able to bag as many white-tailed deer as they have tags for. Deer are not to be cleaned inside park limits.

Previous information from Mayor Ed Gainey’s office indicated the pilot would only be held for one day and the parks would be closed to the public during the hunts.

However, Erica Heide, a senior park ranger for the city, told WESA the parks would be open and hunters are permitted to bag deer Mondays through Saturdays through the duration of archery season.

A press release issued by Gainey’s office late Thursday said the bow hunting would take place from Saturday, Sept. 30 through Saturday, Dec. 9, and then again from Dec. 26 through Jan. 27, on every day except on Sundays. 

Heide added crews are expected to post warning signs in both parks this week to alert park-goers about the hunt. Signs will be posted at entrances, near playgrounds, dog parks and other areas where people typically go.

Areas that are off-limits to hunting include playgrounds such as Blue Slide Park, park structures that include Frick Environmental Center in Frick Park and Riverview’s Allegheny Observatory. Dog parks will also be protected, according to the article.

Archers are prohibited from hunting 50 yards from these areas.

Pennsylvania Game Commission officials and park rangers will be in the parks to assist hunters and park-goers. Heide suggests anyone visiting the parks during the hunts wear bright colors and be aware of their surroundings. Dogs must be kept on a leash,

If any hunter is seen violating the program’s regulations, park-goers should report the situation to the PA Game Commission at 724-238-9523.

The city will collect logs from each hunter to gauge the need for expansion to other parks.