Published on September 20, 2025
Pittsburgh, PA — 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.