TOWNSHIP OF LOWER MERION Deer Management Police Committee Meeting May 7, 2008

Total Deer Incidents

Total Deer Incidents (Breakdown)

Deer Management Concerns  Deer and Human contact can result in illness and injury.  Traffic Collisions can result in injury or death.  Environmental Destruction of trees and shrubbery.

Lyme Disease

Township Response 1.Identify problem areas with high visibility signage. 2.Work with knowledgeable personnel to control the herds. 3.Develop an educational program of awareness. 4.Continue to look for new updated solutions to the problem.

Deer Management  Identify high risk areas.  Erect signage to reflect high collision areas.

High Collision Areas 1.Black Rock Rd. – Williamson Rd. to Howard Rd. 2.Conshohocken State Rd. - Mill Creek Rd. to Barr Ln. 3.Mill Creek Rd. – Old Gulph Rd. to Woodside Rd. 4.Montgomery Ave. – Broughton Ln. to Clairemont Rd. 5.Old Gulph Rd. – Airdale Rd. to Spring Mill Rd. 6.Waverly Rd. – Scott Rd. to Rock Creek Rd.

Deer Management 1996 – Police Department acted as a liaison between approved licensed Bow Hunters and residents to hunt on private property in order to control the herds. During the same time, entered into a partnership with the Riverbend Environmental Education Center to develop an educational pamphlet to address the issues concerning the White-Tailed Deer population The Police Department hosted a public meeting in the Township Administration Building to discuss the issues surrounding deer management. The meeting was attended by representatives of the Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education, the Pennsylvania Game Commission and was telecast live on Government Access Channel 7.

Proposed Strategy USDA Officers to conduct an extensive survey of suspected problem areas to ascertain the density of deer, extent of environmental damage, and determine if an actual deer emergency exists. If data establishes a deer emergency, the USDA will develop a management plan for culling the deer to acceptable levels.

USDA Culling Methods Trained experienced sharpshooters. Night vision optics. Noise suppressed rifles. Controlled baited areas. Nighttime culling only, January to May. USDA efforts will be supplemented by archery hunters during the regular hunting season, during the months of September to January.

Program Cost The USDA-Wildlife Services is a nonprofit agency. Initial survey and subsequent Management Plan: $5,000 to $10,000. Actually deer culling: Approx. $4,000. Deer processing: $50.00 to $80.00 per deer. All processed deer will be donated to a local food bank.

Cost Evaluation Any cost incurred needs to be weighed against: –Vehicle vs. Deer traffic crashes. –Environmental destruction. –Human illness due to deer/human interaction. –Township labor cost associated with deer incidents.

TOWNSHIP OF LOWER MERION Deer Management Discussion