Thinning the Herd: Deer Hunt Canceled in Pennsylvania Park

New Castle County has canceled a deer hunt planned for next week in a Rockland public park after neighbors raised concerns.

The News Journal reports that County Executive Tom Gordon says officials will look at nonlethal ways to thin the deer population around Woodley Park.

Gordon says there are serious health and traffic problems associated with the deer, but the community is split.

Certified master hunters were set to target female deer with arrows. Shotguns are typically used in such hunts, but Woodley Park is small and rules forbid firing guns so close to homes.

Some neighbors and animal rights activists were concerned about the use of bows, which may be perceived as less dangerous than guns, but would still a danger to nearby houses.