Deer Kill in the 'Burbs
Professional hunters set to take out 576 deer
By DANIELLE JOHNSON
Updated 6:12 AM EST, Tue, Nov 17, 2009
The hunt is on for deer in Lower Merion Township starting Monday night to significantly reduce local deer population, according to officials.
A deer kill will run through Thursday from 9p.m. to 5a.m. in designated areas. The program, run by the US Department of Agriculture, will send out a small team of professional hunters with silencers and night-vision equipment to reduce the herd by 576. The designated areas include Black Rock Road, Consohocken State Road, Mill Creek, Old Gulph and Waverly Roads.
The department's goals to decrease environmental damage, the spread of Lyme Disease and vehicle crashes come as a welcomed change to some residents who live in the targeted areas.
"I just live down here and I have to go 25 miles an hour on a straight flat road only becuase you never know when a deer is going to jump right out after you," said Fred Winter of Gladwyne. "The deer have eaten every living plant that we've ever planted generally within a month after we plant it."
But others called the 4-day kill inhumane.
"They are definitely a problem but I don't know if that's the best way to solve the problem," said Alex Wakin of Narberth.
A department survey found 696 deer in the township, or 58 per square mile, and officials say an appropriate number for such an area would be six to 10 per square mile.
The deer will be donated to the local food bank, according to officials.
A plan to kill about 1,500 deer in Valley Forge National Historical Park has drawn protests and a lawsuit by animal rights
groups.
Another kill is set for December, according to Lower Merion Township officials.
First Published: Nov 16, 2009 7:58 PM EST
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