In Mt. Lebanon, three white-tailed deer were killed Tuesday night — the first in a bait-trap-and-kill deer reduction program that has divided the community of 33,000.
On the evening before the deer were killed, scores of animal rights protesters petitioned in the rain outside the municipal building, and inside dozens of residents representing pro-cull and anti-kill sentiments addressed commissioners.
One opponent of the plan argued that the killing of pregnant does amounted to “abortion,” and asked if the fetuses counted among the deer killed.
Members of Lebo Resident for Effective Deer Management argued in support of providing stewardship of the region’s wild places, including lethal means.
Police Deputy Chief Aaron Lauth and Merlin Benner of Wildlife Specialists, the Tioga County contractor hired to reduce Mt. Lebanon’s deer population, reported there was no interference from protesters or other incidents Tuesday.
State Game Commission spokesman Tom Fazi said the operation’s first carcasses were taken to a deer-processing station where the venison would be prepared for delivery to food banks.
“So far, this is all proceeding within the parameters of the special permit issued by the Game Commission,” said Tom Fazi, Game Commission spokesman.
The permit authorizes Mt. Lebanon to conduct an unusual cull designed to quickly reduce the deer population to levels that municipal commissioners and the Game Commission considered to be manageable.
No more than 150 deer may be taken. For two weeks, deer have been acclimated to find food placed at portable corrals. Contractors close the corral doors by remote control when no more than six deer are inside, and shooters fire on down on the deer from elevated platforms using .223-caliber rifles with noise suppressors.
The Mt. Lebanon operation marks the first time this type of corral-and-shoot permit has been approved by the Pennsylvania Game Commission.
No arrests have been made in an apparent attempt to obstruct one of the corrals. While many opponents of the cull called for lawful protests, some said they intended to disrupt the operation.
“Our objective is to not have the deer trapped in the corrals,” said animal rights activist Sarah Scholl, at a gathering of protesters in Bird Park on Monday. “Make noise — I wouldn’t consider that ‘obstructing.’ We’re all so concerned about this matter.”
First Published: March 11, 2015, 2:12 p.m.
Updated: March 12, 2015, 3:17 a.m.
