Pittsburgh Deer Management Program Expands to Additional Parks

After two highly successful seasons, the Department of Public Safety is once again expanding the city’s Deer Management Program for the upcoming 2025-2026 season.  

The program is a partnership between the City of Pittsburgh and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) with the goal of managing the overpopulation of white-tailed deer in city parks. The 2024-2025 season included archery-controlled hunts in Frick, Schenley, Highland, Riverview, and Emerald View Parks; the expanded program will additionally take place in Hays Woods, McKinley Park, Hazelwood Greenway, Southside Park, and Seldom 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 the state of 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 a rigorous 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 to 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 

Anyone observing a game violation is asked to report it by contacting the PA Game Commission at 724-238-9523. 

For more information, please visit the Deer Management Program Engage PGH page here.

Cyndy Tabor