END cruel hunting in
pittsburgh city parks
The City of Pittsburgh recently approved a plan to inhumanely kill some of its most gentle residents by allowing the bowhunting of deer in its most popular urban parks — thereby threatening the well-being of park visitors and animal inhabitants alike.
Experts agree that hunting is an ineffective attempt at long-term population control and even worse, published studies show that bowhunting results in suffering for many animals who can remain wounded for hours or days after being shot with an arrow.
The mayor and city council had an opportunity to make a compassionate decision by supporting non-lethal options only, but instead decided to build a reputation for Pittsburgh as one of the most unfriendly places in the country for wildlife through this cruel animal control program. Click here learn how you can help prevent further suffering.
inside pittsburgh's parks
short-sighted measures
Claims that native animals such as deer, who have lived harmoniously in their forest ecosystems for millions of years, now need hunters to lower their numbers ignores basic wildlife ecology principles. Animal populations naturally find equilibrium at levels the environment can sustain, so temporary reductions are short-sighted at best. Experts agree that non-surgical sterilization is the only effective humane long-term option.
mailing list
faulty reasoning
Justifications given for approving cruel killing methods in Pittsburgh's parks are flawed. Deer accident statistics cited by those supporting the hunt are inflated as they refer to the region as a whole and not just the park-adjacent areas. Low speed limits within surrounding residential park streets eliminate risks to vehicles that are driving safely.
Claims that deer are causing harm to the parks are made without credible scientific surveys. Such anecdotes are perpetuated by those supporting the measure and residents who would rather have the animals killed rather than simply protecting their gardens. In fact, there is strong evidence that deer are often used as scapegoats and are a part of a healthy forest ecosystem. References to lyme disease ignore the fact that studies found that deer hunting does not reduce tick density or disease prevalence.
Worst of all, research shows that up to 50% of bowhunted deer are not killed instantly and suffer terribly during the chase or for days if they get away. Not to mention the message this sends to other hunters who will undoubtedly cite this initiative as justification for rogue hunting elsewhere in Pittsburgh, as we have already seen.
TRUTHS OF THE MATTER
"WE DO NOT ADVOCATE BOWHUNTING WHEN THE OBJECTIVE IS CONTROLLING THE POPULATION."
Horace Gore / Texas Parks & Wildlife Department
"IT IS DISQUIETING TO KNOW THAT WE PROBABLY WOUND ONE DEER FOR EVERY ANIMAL HARVESTED..."
Larry D. Jones / Guest Editorial / Western Bowhunter
"DEER DENSITY WAS NOT CORRELATED WITH ANY VEGETATION OR LAND USE VARIABLE. THIS SUGGESTS THAT DEER DENSITY IS NOT A LEADING FACTOR DETERMINING VARIATION IMPACTS..."
Rutherford & Schmitz / School of Forestry, Yale University / The Journal of Wildlife Management
resources
MAILERS
Pittsburgh's wildlife is a truly special gift that deserves to be protected and respected. Visitors from around the world are routinely in awe after a visit to our parks, often remarking on the excellent condition of the animals and wishing they lived near such healthy forests and animals. Photos depicting the gentle, beautiful deer of Frick Park (pictured below) are available on postcards to mail to city officials with a message requesting a ban on hunting. Email us here for more details.
what you can do
Let Pittsburgh's mayor know that deer in urban parks are national treasures to be cherished and protected, not killed by means that cause prolonged suffering. Let him know that allowing hunting in heavily trafficked areas is also dangerous to humans and that you do not want the blood of innocent animals paving the trails for children to walk on.
If you live in Pittsburgh, please urgently contact your city council representative and the mayor to ask for a ban on all hunting in public parks. Ask them to petition the state for permission to implement non-surgical sterilization. Find your council member here.
If you are outside of Pittsburgh, please let the mayor know the rest of the country is outraged by his actions and that he should immediately cancel the hunt and petition the state for permission to implement more humane sterilization methods.
Reach the mayor’s office at 412-255-2626 or email him here.
ABOUT: Friends of Deer is a Pittsburgh-based volunteer group founded on the belief that wildlife living in urban parks are national treasures to be cherished and protected and have the right to exist in nature, free from inhumane killing at the hands of hunters or through the votes of elected officials.
All photos are of the Frick Park family of deer who are currently being harmed. Photos may be used for non-commercial, pro-animal purposes only, by permission, if credited to FriendsOfDeer.com (except those in the Resources section, which are from external sources).