P-G: Ordinance tries to deter Mt. Lebanon deer

Mt. Lebanon commissioners voted Monday to prohibit residents from feeding deer in the municipality.

The new ordinance, introduced two weeks ago by Commissioner Kristen Linfante, goes into effect July 8.

Ms. Linfante said the rule was a step in the right direction but acknowledged, "I do not think this is going to get rid of our deer problem."

Read the full article:

• www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/neighborhoods-south/ordinance-tries-to-deter-mt-lebanon-deer-642327/ (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

Trib: Colin McNickle's Essay on Mt. Lebanon Deer

Mt. Lebanon officials held a secret meeting this month with the president of Amalgamated Deer Stampeders, Plant Eaters & Disease Spreaders Local 100.

They warned union boss Stag Cervidae that popular sentiment against the South Hills community's unchecked deer population has turned ugly.

"Lots of people want to shoot you," one official told Mr. Cervidae.

"You wouldn't dare," the 10-point buck boss snorted.

Read the full article:

• www.triblive.com/opinion/2006868-74/official-cervidae-deer-community-done-stag-boss-knees-lebanon-slapping (Pittsburgh Tribune-Review)

Mt. Lebanon Seeks Ways To Curb Deer Population

Mt. Lebanon commissioners are hearing complaints about deer from residents, so they want to explore ways to control the town's deer population. Two representatives of the Pennsylvania Game Commission visited Mt. Lebanon on Tuesday to talk about deer control.

From 2006 to 2008, the municipality contracted with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to lower the deer population, but it did not enter into the contract this year. "The No. 1 issue for me is that eventually there is going to be a serious accident involving a deer," commission President John Daley said.

Link: www.post-gazette.com/pg/09274/1002072-55.stm

USDA Misses Dead Deer In Mt. Lebanon

When Micah Wolf walked out his front door to head to work March 7, he was saddened to see a dead dear lying in his Lindendale Drive yard. His assumption that the deer had been struck by a passing vehicle changed quickly, when he walked to his car.

"There was a good size pool of blood about half a foot from the house," reported Wolf.

Upon closer examination, it was evident that the deer had been shot in the neck. He called for animal control to remove the deer from the property owned by his parents.

Link: www.thealmanac.net/ALM/Story/03-19-ML-deer-issue-B

Deer Management Meeting Rescheduled

Mt. Lebanon Municipality has rescheduled the public meeting on deer management that was originally planned for Wednesday, September 12, at 7:30 p.m. in the Mt. Lebanon Municipal Building Commission Chamber. The meeting date needed to be changed because of schedule conflicts among key participants.

The new date for the deer management meeting is Wednesday, September 26, at 7:30 p.m. in the Mt. Lebanon Municipal Building Commission Chamber.

Last year at Mt. Lebanon's request, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) conducted a study that confirmed the number of deer in Mt. Lebanon exceeded the community’s “carrying capacity.” Mt. Lebanon contracted with the USDA for a controlled hunt conducted by certified sharpshooters, and the herd was reduced.

The public is invited to hear a discussion of the USDA's final report on last year's program and the agency's recommendations for deer management in the coming season. Craig Swope of the USDA will be present at the meeting. Following his presentation, Mt. Lebanon Commissioners will hear public comment.

The USDA’s final report will be posted on www.mtlebanon.org on Tuesday, September 5. For further information, contact Public Works Director Tom Kelly, at 412-343-3869.

---

Update from Mt. Lebanon Municipality: Mt. Lebanon residents are invited to comment on the municipality’s deer management program at a public meeting to be held 7:30 to 9:30 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 26, in the Commission Chamber of the Mt. Lebanon Municipal Building, 710 Washington Road.

Last year, at Mt. Lebanon’s request, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) conducted a study that concluded that the number of deer in the community exceeded the local “carrying capacity.” Mt. Lebanon then contracted with the USDA to reduce the size of the herd using certified USDA sharpshooters.

At the September 26 meeting, Craig Swope of the USDA will discuss the agency’s final report on last year’s program and make recommendations.

A public comment session will follow. Commissioners hope to hear from residents who were satisfied with last season’s effort, as well as from residents who have concerns or wish to suggest ways in which the deer management program might be improved. In the interest of time, comments will be limited to five minutes per speaker. The USDA report is posted at www.mtlebanon.org.

Deer Stomps Dog in Lebo Yard

A terrier-mix dog was attacked and stomped by a deer this morning in the back yard of the dog's Mt. Lebanon home.

A neighbor in the 1700 block of Theodan Drive reported the incident to Mt. Lebanon Police at 9:10 a.m. today. The neighbor told police that two dogs were in their own yard, contained by an invisible fence.

A female deer accompanied by fawns entered the yard and went after one of the dogs, said Lt. Ken Truver. "The neighbor said the dogs are older and apparently couldn't maneuver too well. The deer cornered one of the dogs and stomped on it."

Link: www.post-gazette.com/pg/07150/789930-55.stm

Update: www.post-gazette.com/pg/07152/790664-55.stm