Deer Management Program Restarts This Weekend with Expansion

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 2025-2026 season included archery-controlled hunts in Frick, Schenley, Highland, Riverview, Emerald View, Hays Woods, McKinley, and Southside Parks, and Seldom Seen and Hazelwood Greenways; the expanded program will additionally take place in Sheraden Park and Spring Hill/Garden Greenway. 

In addition, in the winter/spring of 2027, targeted harvesting will take place in Hays Woods, Seldom Seen, and Highland Parks by contracted USDA officials. This year’s program will also expand its mentorship program, in coordination with the Pennsylvania Game Commission, which will allow vetted archers to mentor youth and adult hunters in 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. 

Several years ago, 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 archers from Southwestern Pennsylvania 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 19 – Sunday, December 13* 

Saturday, December 26 – Sunday, January 24* 

*Excluding all Sundays, except those approved for mentor hunts in Hays Woods 

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.