MT. LEBANON, Pa. — Archers will be able to start hunting deer in Mt. Lebanon Saturday as part of a plan to control the deer population, but residents in opposition are making sure that they are heard.
"I just don't want anyone coming onto our property and shooting any arrows because I think it's a safety matter," said Charlotte Stephenson. "We have a young child living here and two small pets, our dogs."
FREE APPS | NOW | FACEBOOK | TWITTER
- 60 FREE things to do around Pittsburgh the next few weeks
- Primanti Brothers loyalists camp out to get free sandwiches for a year!
- Police: Toddler thrown from ATV that 2 adults drove drunk
- Dog stands guard for a week until trapped friend is rescued
The latest plan to cull the deer herd in the area was approved by the Board of Commissioners in early September. Archers will hunt on both private and public property, starting 30 minutes before sunrise and ending 30 minutes after sunset.
"I'm picturing people not quite hitting on target and then having deer walk around wounded and in pain," said Whitney Jalaoi.
Some homeowners are making it clear that their property is off limits. Signs have popped up in Mt. Lebanon as archers prepare to hunt.
Stephenson and her neighbor have put up "No hunting, no trespassing" tape around their yards. City workers put up "No hunting" signs near Bird Park.
In a letter posted online, the municipal manager said: "Only licensed, experienced archers who were thoroughly interviewed and tested will participate. The team leader is a bow hunter education and safety instructor. Archers will wear ID indicating they are part of Mt. Lebanon's program."
Shots must be taken 15 yards or closer to the deer, from a tree stand or from a backstop, like a hill.
Mt. Lebanon's efforts to manage the deer population started more than a year ago, driven by an increase in car crashes involving deer and complaints from residents about flowers and gardens being eaten.
The controlled hunt that starts Saturday will run through the end of January.
RELATED STORIES:
- Mt. Lebanon approves use of archers to control deer population
- Mount Lebanon calls off controversial – and ineffective – deer cull effort
- Protests continue as deer cull goes into effect in Mt. Lebanon
- Controversial plan to curb deer in Mt. Lebanon set to begin
- Controversial plan to control deer population up for discussion
- Mt. Lebanon council votes on how to deal with growing deer population
- Mt. Lebo group wants deer population control
WPXI
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/XCUXZC2XYZHCRGNNGKFEX6U3LQ.png)
:quality(70)/d1hfln2sfez66z.cloudfront.net/05-10-2024/t_cd6e360fbb1a457e8546da8e15d458b5_name_mckinley_ave_fire_PAUL_frame_48555.jpeg)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/G5OYPO6MLRE2TGAG35Z2AUA5LY.jpeg)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/TNDY7LESPFGATKYQUF6W56T42M.jpeg)
:quality(70)/d1hfln2sfez66z.cloudfront.net/05-10-2024/t_6a55017601cb4aa893e80016ff4b5fc8_name_coldduquesnewxdamage11pv050824_transfer_frame_333.jpeg)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/NXKFN4XDWJC3BJXQVG3QIP7RIY.png)