Peters council hopes there will eventually be fewer vehicle accidents, more shrubs and a smaller deer herd in the township after voting unanimously Monday to open township parks and other properties to bow hunting.

The move came in the wake of a three-month U.S. Department of Agriculture study commissioned by the township that found a population density of about 69 deer per square mile. That's more deer than any other nearby municipality, including Upper St. Clair and Mt. Lebanon, both of which have used sharpshooters to cull herds in recent years.

As part of the study, investigators from the USDA visited the township three times from December through February, and each time traversed 50 miles of randomly selected township roads. Working at night with infrared lenses and cameras, they used a proven formula to estimate the number of deer in the township at about 1,400. An ideal population would be closer to 400.

Bow hunting may not be the most effective population control method, township Manager Michael Silvestri said, but a survey of Peters residents last year showed that while most saw deer as a growing nuisance and safety problem, many favored bow hunting over shooting deer with firearms. The township's park and recreation board also approved the idea.

A deer management committee and the township's Environmental Quality Board were charged with coming up with a solution, and allowing bow hunting on township property was a good way to begin curbing the population growth, said board member Mike Getto, who called it "a baby step in the right direction."

"There needs to be a long-term and sustained effort," he said.

Bow hunters who want to participate in hunting on township property must follow a number of guidelines and shell out about $30 for fees and permits, not including a state bow hunting license.

Peters police Capt. Michael Yanchak said those interested will undergo a criminal history and game violations records check, complete a bow hunter education course, and pass a qualifying target test given by the township.

And, there's more. Bow hunters must be harnessed into an elevated position, such as a tree stand, and they will be required to kill at least one antlerless deer before going after an antlered deer. They must report kills to the township, they cannot kill more deer than they have a license for, and the hunters get to keep the deer they harvest.

Already, Capt. Yanchak said, he's had inquiries from food banks and others who are interested in taking any unwanted venison. Bow season this year will be about 16 to 17 weeks long, on and off from Sept. 20 until the end of January, said Dan Sitler, a wildlife conservation officer with the state Game Commission.

State game laws would apply to local archers, allowing hunting a half hour before dawn to a half hour after dusk every day but Sunday. Parks and other areas hosting hunters will be posted during hunting season. The township is to receive a progress report at the end of each hunting season.

Mr. Sitler said deer archery programs in North Park, South Park and Boyce Park have been going on for years with no problems.

Bow hunters will have access to parks, such as Peterswood, Peters Lake, Elm Grove and Old Trail, along with township-owned open spaces. For areas smaller than about five acres, Mr. Silvestri said, surrounding residents will be consulted before hunting takes place.

Public reaction at the meeting was mixed, but animal lovers like Dave Wallach, who served on the deer committee and who feeds deer in his yard, said he would rather see the deer have "one bad day" than starve to death from overpopulation.

Resident Sue Ralston said she was concerned about the safety of children in the parks and nearby woods. She and other residents brought up the possibility that a deer struck in a park may wonder away and die on private property.

Other residents wondered if they could band together and bring bow hunters to their properties to alleviate the population. Mr. Silvestri said they could, and said he hoped area country clubs and cemeteries would also allow hunting on their properties.

Last year, the township began matching owners of some of the larger tracts of property in the township with bow hunters to begin expanding deer hunting in the area.

Owners of some of the larger farms in the township also use hunters to help preserve their crops.

Mr. Sitler recommended the township develop a public education program before implementing the hunt, and Mr. Silvestri said residents will hear more about it by this summer.

To fill out an application or learn more about the program, visit www.peterstownship.com.