A WHITE-TAILED DEER | SHUTTERSTOCK

Eighty deer were harvested by archers in the first 10-week phase of Pittsburgh’s pilot Deer Management Program in Frick and Riverview parks that concluded Saturday, Dec. 9,  according to Pittsburgh park rangers.

Bowhunters are taking a pause until Tuesday, Dec. 26, when they will hunt every day through Saturday, Jan. 27, except on Sundays.

It’s part of a pilot program approved in September by City Council with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to help cull a growing deer population in the two city parks. Studies have shown there were at least 500 deer in Frick Park alone, the city’s largest park at more than 600 acres. The city recruited 30 archers for the hunt who had to meet strict guidelines and pass accuracy tests.

According to park rangers, 1,920 pounds of meat from 47 of the 80 deer were donated to local food pantries from the hunts. This resulted in 7,680 meals to those in need, according to their instagram post. 

Once the pilot program is completed in January, city officials will review results and decide how to proceed in further culling the deer population that has become a growing concern in spreading ticks and Lyme disease, causing traffic hazards and decimating gardens of homeowners near the parks.