Pittsburgh Expanding Deer Killing Effort

PITTSBURGH, PA — After two seasons, the city is expanding its deer management program for the 2025-26 season.

The program is a partnership between the city and the federal Department of Agriculture to manage the overpopulation of white-tailed deer in city parks. The 2024-25 season included archery controlled hunts in Frick, Schenley, Highland and Emerald View parks; the expanded program will take placed in Hays Woods, McKinley Park, Hazelwood Greenway, Southside Park and Seldon Seen Greenway.

In addition, in the winter/spring of 2026, targeted harvesting will take place in Schenley and Emerald View Parks by contracted USDA officials.

This year’s program will also pilot a Hays Woods mentorship program which will allow vetted archers to mentor a youth hunter between the ages of 10-16 on proper archery practices.

While deer are a normal part of the ecosystem, the unchecked and unmanaged deer population has caused increased incidents of vehicle-deer collisions, over-eating of native plant species, and loss of natural fear.

The USDA recommended that the city adopt an integrated approach to the management of white-tailed deer that included a controlled archery program. Other options, such as birth control and sterilization, are not legal in Pennsylvania.

This summer, sixty-five Allegheny County archers were selected to participate in the program. They were required to undergo a thorough background check, wildlife violation check, and archery
accuracy test.

Notice signs have been posted in all parks and greenways alerting visitors when archery hunting is taking place. Park-goers are encouraged to stay on established trails, keep all dogs on a leash as required by law and respect the space of authorized hunters.

Archery will take place on the following dates:

Saturday, September 20 – Saturday, December 13*

Friday, December 26 – Saturday, January 24*

*Excluding all Sundays