McCandless Engages Hunters to Manage Deer Impact on Local Trees
McCandless officials are turning to controlled hunting to address the increasing deer population that threatens the town’s tree canopy.
Since 2021, the town has partnered with Suburban Whitetail Management to conduct regulated archery hunts on town property. With deer season underway, applications to hunt on McCandless-owned land are now being accepted.
Community Involvement in Deer Management
Local hunters are being encouraged to assist in these population control efforts. Ken Allshouse, a member of the town’s Environmental Advisory Committee (EAC), reported that archery hunters harvested approximately 60 deer on McCandless roads last year. This figure excludes the deer removal from heavily trafficked areas like McKnight Road and Route 19, where over 160 deer were collected.
During September alone, the McCandless Police Department logged 39 calls concerning deer, with wildlife removal contractors Big Daddy Wildlife taking 27 animals from the field, according to Police Chief Ryan Hawk’s report.
Ecological Impact of Deer Overpopulation
Deer browsing has significant ecological implications. Jeff Petro, chair of the EAC, highlighted a recent Tree Pittsburgh survey demonstrating that McCandless lost an estimated 33,000 trees from 2015 to 2020 due to a combination of factors including disease, development, and deer herbivory.
Excessive deer populations can lead to overbrowsing, which prevents young trees and understory vegetation from regenerating, thereby altering forest structure and reducing biodiversity. Effective population management is essential to maintain a healthy ecosystem and protect urban green spaces.
Resources and Recommendations for Deer Population Management
- The Pennsylvania Game Commission provides resources on managing local deer populations at pa.gov/agencies/pgc.
- Wildlife biologist Jeannine Fleegle suggests consulting Cornell University’s Community Deer Advisor at deeradvisor.dnr.cornell.edu for additional information.
- Homeowners owning five or more acres can contact Suburban Whitetail Management via [email protected] to arrange for archery hunting on private property.
- Permission to hunt on town property can be requested through the official website (townofmccandless.org) or by calling the McCandless Police Department at 412-369-7992.
Expert Perspective
From a wildlife management standpoint, the McCandless program reflects a critical approach to balancing deer populations with ecosystem health. White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) are known for their adaptability and prolific reproduction, often leading to localized overpopulation. This results in extensive browsing pressure on native vegetation, affecting not only tree seedlings but also ground flora and the broader food web.
By implementing controlled archery hunts, the town aims to reduce deer density to a level that supports natural regeneration while minimizing human-wildlife conflicts such as vehicle collisions and damage to residential landscaping.
Additional reporting and sources from: McCandless looks to hunters to protect town’s trees from hungry deer | TribLIVE.com
