In today's Administrative Report from Steve Feller to commission and staff:
Monday's Commission Agenda shows that Steve Silverman will be introducing:
6. Consideration of proposals to trap and euthanize white tailed deer within Mt. Lebanon.
This contract is to provide white-tailed deer capture and euthanize services between February 1 and March 31, 2015, in public parks in Mt. Lebanon. The objective is to capture 150 deer using a baited corral trap system as an initial step to realize the goal to reduce deer/vehicle collisions in the community.Merlin the Magnificent knows that $68,000 was set aside this year for deer management along with $12,000 from last year totaling $80,000 for deer management. Benner also knows that $5,000 of that will be set aside for deer sterilization, which leaves a balance of $75,000. Guess who Wildlife Specialists, LLC is? Merlin Benner. Guess what his proposal was? You guessed it. Guess who told us initially that trap and bolt was illegal here and was inhumane? Yep.
Recommended Action: Move to authorize the proper municipal officials to award a contract to Wildlife Specialists, LLC, for a total amount not to exceed $75,000.
This is the most despicable action to date by our commissioners. Does this remind anyone of the time that the Penn State turf expert hired to speak also had a partnership with an artificial turf company? Merlin Benner was paid for every time he spoke at commission meetings. Anyone want to file a Right To Know to find out how much Merlin Benner was paid for his advice? He was paid for his expertise.
There was an online petition that explains the heinous procedure of trap and bolt.
Cornell University: Stop trapping deer and shooting metal rods into their brains
Subjecting our children to toxic turf and now this, Commissioners, I
63 comments:
Let's see. Histrionics, bullying, telling me to move.
This was a good day for you guys, wasn't it?
Elaine
This looks likes another inappropriate conflict of interest scam Mt. Lebanon has pulled on its tax payers. Back in 2006/2007, Mt. Lebanon hired and paid the USDA Wildlife Services to tell them it they had a deer problem (who obviously said they did to get the killing contract), and then hired Wildlife Services to implement the deer killing program they recommended. There was resident outrage regarding the obvious conflict of interest, and giving Wildlife Services a blank check. Residents also questioned if there was a fair RFP process at that time, and not sure anyone ever got a straight answer.
So this time Mt. Lebanon hires Wildlife Specialists LLC as an "objective" consultant to demonstrate no conflict of interest in the process. Of course, hiring Wildlife Specialists LLC to begin with was a sham i.e. they weren't an objective consulting firm. Wildlife Specialists, LLC is a deer killing contractor, i.e. all of the deer population control services listed on their website are lethal. The president of Wildlife Specialists, Merlin Benner, had previously worked for the Pa Game Commission, whose history is one of only lethal deer management. Wildlife Specialists has not been involved in any non-lethal contraception or sterilization projects. A fair assumption is that they likely have never made an assessment recommendation that didn't include lethal deer management. So hardly objective.
Deja-vu, here we are again, a vendor that was hired and paid to make an "objective' assessment is awarded the contract to implement the recommendations it made. Sound familiar?
Another disturbing concern is that this was a sham RFP process. When was the RFP sent out, who was it sent out to, and when did the vendors received it? Elaine announced the Pa Game Commission rejection of the bow hunting proposal and the bate-and-euthanize RFP being sent out on 1/17/15. The RFP receipt deadline was 1/21/15. Maybe the RFP was sent out a few days earlier (we don't know), but that still doesn't seem like a fair or appropriate timeframe for a vendor to evaluate the situation and respond with a proposal. Of course, unless you were given an inside heads up, and could be working on the RFP response before the other vendors, or if Mt. Lebanon only wanted one response. Something just doesn't smell right that only one vendor responded.
In addition, how can Mt. Lebanon represent the best interests of the tax payers when they tell vendors how much money they have and are willing to spend, and award and RFP when only one vendor responds? That doesn't seem like a best practice process to get the best price for services. The perception this process gives is that it's a fixed system only going through the motions for appearances.
It also gives the appearance of total arrogance and mismanagement. One can only hope that some of the Commissioners are concerned with this process and investigates it, and if anything done was unethical or illegal, that those responsible are held accountable.
Furthermore, what is the bait-and-euthanize method that Wildlife Specialists LLC responded with - corral and bolt? How can you corral and bolt deer? I don't believe captive bolt has ever been approved in Pa before, because of its inhumane controversy, and so what is their experience implementing this deer killing program? How many staff at Wildlife Specialists LLC are qualified and have the necessary experience? Is Mt. Lebanon going to close the parks while this slaughter takes placed or leave it open like they planned during bow hunting? So many other questions?
There are so many disturbing concerns at so many levels with awarding this deer killing program to Wildlife Specialists LLC, that this post only touched the surface.
I'm sorry but I've never written to a place like this and I'm sure this not correct place but I'm at my last nerve. My commissioner won't return my calls or return my emails. But for the last 8 weeks they haven't taken my recyclables leaving me with quite a mess. I added 6 stickers to my can so there is no way they don't see it. Each neighbor on both sides get theirs taken. I'm 86 and dragging the can back into my garage is difficult and each time they leave it it gets heavier and harder to drag uphill. If I leave it out on just our regular trash pickup they again just leave it. What do I do? My grandson wants to dump it in our commissioner's driveway. Has something changed that I missed that is causing them to leave it?
Kat, I forwarded your comment to the commissioners, Manager Steve Feller, and Public Works Director Tom Kelley. Please email me privately at EGillen476@aol.com with your address and I will get it resolved for you.
Elaine
Kat, I heard back from Commissioner Kelly Fraasch.
From: Kelly Fraasch kfraasch@mtlebanon.org,
To: egillen476@aol.com
Cc: commission@mtlebanon.org, sfeller@mtlebanon.org, tkelley@mtlebanon.org
Subject: Re: [Lebo Citizens] New comment on The deer expert will be awarded the contract!.
Date: Sat, Jan 24, 2015 8:19 am
I am sorry to hear.
If you have her email or contact information we need her address. She won't need to pull her garbage out for this pick up either Republic will get it or I will go over and move it. She shouldn't again especially in this weather.
If you have a suggestion of how to reach her I would be happy to contact her right away. I work all day today but we can get this done for her.
Thanks for the heads up!
Kelly
I'm sorry you've gone through this, Kat! How awful that your Commissioner never responded to your calls or e-mails.
May I ask who your Commissioner is?
If you eat beef, you have no room to complain about trap and bolt. They do the same thing and worse to cattle during slaughtering. Go vegetarian and then post about slaughtering methods. Until then, I don't hold much sympathy for you. Just sayin'....
To 1:02 PM - I AM vegetarian! But, even people who are not vegetarian...if they are compassionate people, they will be opposed to any methods which are cruel to animals. This is true for ANY animal.
As people are learning of the inhumane methods used to kill animals for food - they are speaking out! Look what happened at Chipotle:
http://www.sustainablebrands.com/news_and_views/supply_chain/jennifer_elks/no_carnitas_third_chipotle_diners_after_pork_supplier_viol
You're assuming I eat beef. You know what they say when you assume...
The conflict of interest doesn't bother you either? A paid expert advises the commission and then gets the contract for the work sounds OK to you? Or using our tax dollars to slaughter deer to save the tulips?
Just sayin'.
Elaine
I eat vegetables, I can't grow them because of the freaking deer!
And there it is.
Elaine
Kat, I heard back from the president of the commission, John Bendel.
"Thanks for letting us know, Elaine.
I know others have offered to help. If you get an address or contact information, I'd be glad to follow up."
Kat, John's email address is jbendel@mtlebanon.org
I did get a response from Commissioner Kristen Linfante. This is what she wrote:
"Does anyone know which ward this is? I have not received emails or calls about trash that I have not responded to.
Kristen "
I haven't heard from Commissioners Steve Silverman or Dave Brumfield, Kat.
Elaine
3:45, if you're growing vegetables without any kind of netting or other protective material and you have wild animals that are munching on them, is that the fault of the wild animal? Maybe we need a plan to trap and bolt the rabbit population too. Please, take some personal responsibility.
From personal experience I can tell you...don't hold your breath waiting for Dave Brumfield to contact you.
Nick M.
i grow veggies in 2 gardens that are protected by a yard fence and then a garden fence. my neighbors do the same. believe it or not, i also have a motion sprinkler...but i haven't had to use it for the creatures because they can't get into the garden. maybe i should start a business?
6:51, thank you for the info on the motion sprinkler, I never heard of them. I did some Googling and see that Home Depot sells the Havahart brand. They make noise and jets water out, how cool. I love the video on the Havahart website, it hilarious.
http://www.havahart.com/spray-away-motion-activated-sprinkler
Maybe now I can cancel my trap and bolt program for the local cat population.
Nick M.
January 24, 2015 at 1:02 PM Assuming this is your first time reading this blog, which I doubt, I'm reposting info on trap-and-bolt in a field setting, and expert testimonials.
TRAP and BOLT ANIMAL CRUELTY
Clover Trap and Bolt
See link below to view a short video that gives an example of the intense stress, panic, and struggle that deer experience in a clover trap.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XezJJNzg3nY
After the deer are trapped in a clover trap a hired contractor collapses the trap on the deer and attempts to steady the deer while another contractor fires the bolt gun -- a 4 inch retractable steel rod -- into her skull. Since the deer are inadequately restrained and are strong and heavy, they frequently manage to move. The bolt-gun is then misfired into their eye, jaw, ear or nose. The contractor must reload the bolt gun before trying again. Death from the bolt-gun is often not immediate, adding more prolonged suffering to already terrified animals.
Net and Bolt
See net and bolt video below. An explosive charge propels nets over a group of deer, tossing them in the air and ensnaring them. They thrash around, crying out in fear and panic as they are shot in the head with metal bolts.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=neOr8F8c6as
EXPERT TESTIMONIALS
Jack Schrier, the NJ Fish & Game Council
The U.S. Veterinarians' Association has stated publicly that net-and-bolt is not appropriate for use in the field. If this loathsome slaughterhouse killing method is employed in any town, it will debase that town and its good people.
Allen T. Rutberg, Ph. D., School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University
My personal opinion ... is that netting & bolting free range deer is at best difficult to carry out humanely and at worst is brutally cruel. Because the practice localizes responsibility for killing with specific property owners, it also stirs up personal animosity among members of the community. Again in my opinion, the potential for animal suffering and the elevated animosity generated by the practice outweighs any benefits that might be achieved by deer population reduction.
Peggy W. Larson, DVM, MS, JD
[Trap and Bolt] This is a very inhumane way to rid yourselves of excess deer because of the extreme fright experienced by the deer and because the captured bolt does not effect a clean kill when the animal’s head is not immobilized. ... If a wounded deer escapes the netting, a resident of the town could be injured and the town held liable. Anyone watching this violent procedure or even knowing about it certainly would find it unpleasant and some may find it emotionally traumatic, especially children. Bait, net and attempt to kill is not a humane solution.
John W. Grandy, Ph.D. Senior Vice President of The Humane Society of the United States
The Humans Society of the United States (HSUS) is committed to preventing needless pain and suffering to all animals. It is cruel to attempt to euthanize a wild animal with a captive bolt gun because the animal will suffer needlessly and terribly. There is nothing remotely humane in this process.
Laura Simon, Wildlife Biologist, The Humane Society of the United States
I am writing to object strongly to your town’s plan to use trapping and the captive bolt as a management tool for white-tailed deer. The HSUS is committed to preventing suffering in all animals. We firmly believe that it is impossible to ensure that this technology is used correctly and consistently enough in the field to provide a humane death to deer. Captive bolt guns are designed for use on restrained domestic animals in highly structured and controlled environments. Even there, the "humaneness" of these devices has been called into question. These guns were not designed for use on wild animals under any circumstances, and certainly not as a management tool for white-tailed deer.
Wildlife Specialists LLC probably wrote or assisted in writing the RFP that was "sent out" to the vendors. If so, is that a conflict of interest?
IF this RFP was sent out to vendors, why did only Wildlife Specialists LLC respond?
Doesn't that bother anyone?
It bothers me, but who is going to stop it? When I bring up this stuff, I am the histrionic bully who needs to move away. Mt. Lebanon residents are as docile as the deer who will get rods rammed into their heads. Will there be any opposition at tomorrow's meeting? Two or three of us? Is this what the 1,400 signatories really wanted?
Another thing, when it is pointed out to me that cattle are slaughtered the same way, how many schools have field trips to slaughter houses? This animal cruelty will be done in our parks and neighbors' yards. Doesn't that bother anyone?
Elaine
4:04 AM's comment is so graphic that it showed up in my spam folder! I had not seen it until after I had submitted my 7:35 AM comment. Even Google thinks this is horrible!
Elaine
On topic?
http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2015/01/24/2-injured-after-car-flips-in-mt-lebanon/
Wonder what caused this accident.
Salting and plowing seems to be a little lacks in the bubble this winter season.
Are they cutting back to save money for things like turf and deer culling?
Is this another incident where the driver wasn't paying attention, speeding or on their cellphone?
Funny that avoiding a deer was NOT mentioned as a cause since both people were walking after the accident.
I was out when that accident happened yesterday. Roads were perfectly fine. I heard the plowing crews out on my street twice In the middle of the night Friday night. So no it's not on topic.
Causing defenseless creatures pain and suffering is not only completely unacceptable, but we will also be answerable to God for such actions.
12:21 PM, that might be the better way of expressing how I feel, rather than saying that I hope the commissioners burn in hell. And I didn't mean all of them. Sorry Kelly.
I just can't imagine that the commissioners are willing to permit such pain and suffering for those poor defenseless deer.
And to award the contract to the man who sat through all those commission discussion sessions, I now know that those meetings were nothing but infomercials for his services. That is despicable.
Elaine
3 nobles beasts are in my backyard right now.
They are on the hillside, resting, underneath some trees. They are telling us that the snow will be a little heavier than originally predicted.
They know more, on some things, than me, you, the Commissioners, or anyone. They are born, are part of God's plan, and deserve to live.
- Jason M.
I think the comment on the car rollover, injuring two including a 12 year old, is on topic but it shouldn't be snow removal issues. The link to deer is this: what is the greatest public health concern in Mt Lebanon? Is it DEER or DRIVERS?
Elaine, I think you are describing the empathy deficit that is impacting the residents of Mt Lebanon. We have leaders that are extremely unconcerned about their impact on residents. They don't care if you consider trap and bolt inhumane or cruel and they don't care if you see it in your neighborhood. This empathy deficit influences decisions at every level and in associated organizations, such as the school district.
January 25, 2015 at 2:02 PM, Reg. the empathy deficit of the Commissioners.
This empathy deficit is difficult to understand. How can the Commissioners, excluding Linfante, completely ignore letters opposing their inhumane killing plan and charges of animal cruelty from The Humane Society of the United States and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, w/o concern for their personal reputation and the reputation of Mt. Lebanon? Furthermore, how do they rationalize this brutal animal cruelty with their own conscience? Child abuse and animal cruelty are two of the most despicable abuses in our society.
"There is now ample scientific evidence in peer reviewed journals that all mammals experience stress, terror, shock, anxiety, fear, trauma, foreboding, as well as physical pain. Given this knowledge, it is simply illogical not to extend the same basic protection against the deliberate infliction of suffering to animals, which we ourselves enjoy. ... The deliberate infliction of suffering on ‘lesser creatures’ who are wholly in our power, and who are, strictly speaking, morally innocent is a gross betrayal of our God-given responsibilities." – Revd Professor Andrew Linzey
There is no difference between the sentient qualities of a dog and a deer. However, if Mt. Lebanon was trapping and inhumanely shooting a 4 inch metal bolt or a bullet into a dog's brain residents would be outraged, and accusing the Commission of animal cruelty.
Below are a few videos that show the true nature and sentient qualities of deer.
Dog and Deer Best Friends
http://www.dogwork.com/ddsff4/
Blossom the deer, and family that saved her life
www.youtube.com/watch?v=52z5xyHvs3U
Fantastic fawn rescue - happy ending reuniting with mom
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HNe1--idns0
In addition, the Commissioners have been repeatedly presented with studies by Laura Simon, HSUS' wildlife biologist and deer expert, that killing deer will not address or resolve their deer-human conflicts. And even with that knowledge they continue to move forward without any recognizable hesitation to implement an inhumane killing program that will not resolve any deer-human conflicts. Furthermore, they know that this is all about deer eating some stupid tulips, and they still move forward with this ineffective and inhumane killing program w/o any noticable display of empathy, compassion, or remorse.
If you had to euthanize your dog, would you be OK with having someone shoot a 4 inch metal bolt into her brain, or shoot her in the head with a pistol? If not, then in all good conscience, you shouldn't be OK with what the Commissioners are doing to these doe and her fawns. It's inhumane and it's animal cruelty.
A local researcher studies the empathy gap and its impact on negotiations, decision making, power, etc.
You could call or email him for input/direction on the Mt Lebanon animal cruelty/inhumane situation:
http://www.cmu.edu/dietrich/sds/people/faculty/george-loewenstein.html
"If just can't imagine that the commissioners are willing to permit such pain and suffering for those poor defenseless deer."
Nature is a zero sum game, one in which many species compete for finite resources. But you advocate for only one species at the expense of all others. Why? Because deer are cute?
- You would pick the deer over their predators because their predators are scary.
- You would pick the deer over our native plants. Overbrowsing eliminates saplings, destroying the forest understory, leaving only deer-resistant plants and trees, including invasive species.
- You would pick the deer over small birds, who depend on native plants and shrubs for food and nesting sites.
- You would pick the deer over smaller mammals, who depend on native plants for food and cover.
- You would pick the deer over the foxes, owls and hawks, who depend on smaller mammals for food.
Guess we'll all "have to answer to God someday." By not intervening, you would passively be picking favorites, choosing a "cute" and "noble" species over the rest. You'd show yourself to be more interested in appearances than the long term health of our shared biodiversity (kids don't visit slaughterhouses; if you can't see it, it must not exist). You'd dig in your heels to protect the overpopulation of a species that the Nature Conservancy has called "a bigger threat to eastern forests than climate change" (presupposing you're among the minority of registered Republicans who believes climate change is real).
So which is it? Three choices:
1) Reintroduce bears, wolves and mountain lions to our region
2) Drastically reduce the number of deer via culling and hunting
3) Deprive future generations of all species of healthy and biodiverse woodlands
You must at least admit that there is real consequence to the continued overpopulation of deer. I'll admit that nature is brutal. Death in nature can be painful, whether by being pursued and eaten by predators, by starvation, or by a hunter's arrow. However, even in Mt Lebanon, the relationship between predator and prey must continue, so that populations of all species remain appropriate. If we will not tolerate predators, we must assume the role of those predators.
Lots of articles:
- http://www.natureworldnews.com/articles/6296/20140308/deer-overpopulation-threat-forest-growth-researchers.htm
- http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-08-08/deer-infestation-calls-for-a-radical-free-market-solution.html
- http://blog.nature.org/science/2013/08/22/too-many-deer/
- http://wamu.org/news/11/05/23/deer_overpopulation_yields_disastrous_results_for_forests.php
- http://www.foxnews.com/science/2013/06/06/too-much-deer-pee-changing-northern-forests/
- http://www.foxnews.com/science/2014/01/18/deer-control-by-scalpel-instead-guns-seen-as-costly-ineffective/
- http://topics.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/04/21/drastic-deer-damage-requires-drastic-deer-reduction/
I vote for sterilization, a non-lethal form of deer management. You forgot that option.
Elaine
Then you admit there is a problem. Sterilization is not an option unless a) all deer are in a confined location or b) it is universally done. Otherwise, birthrates in adjacent territory will increase and those outsider deer will migrate to the sterilized deer territory in search of less competition.
Fox News article addresses this: http://www.foxnews.com/science/2014/01/18/deer-control-by-scalpel-instead-guns-seen-as-costly-ineffective/
Did I "admit" that, 11:55 AM? I believe in sterilization. The commission submitted a plan for sterilization. They must not have checked with you, 11:55 AM.
Democrat Kelly Fraasch has been working with a regional task for deer management. Kristen will tell you that she was unaware of such a task force, but did go to a meeting. I don't understand that one. The task force is against lethal methods and are supportive of a sterilization program, if they could get funding for it.
Elaine
Oh wow. I totally missed this. 11:55 AM, you write, "those outsider deer will migrate to the sterilized deer territory in search of less competition."
And this would not occur with your plan to torture deer?
Elaine
So you don't think deer overpopulation is a pressing concern? You're tough to pin down.
Sorry, there's evidence it doesn't work. Cornell found that sterilization did nothing to reduce total deer numbers over time because, while doe populations slightly reduced, buck populations increased due to migration:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/trying-to-limit-the-number-of-deer-with-surprising-results/2014/09/29/3c16f9dc-28a5-11e4-958c-268a320a60ce_story.html
And you're mistaken if you think that the surgical sterilization is somehow not traumatic for the deer. This photo of field surgery shows that: http://blogs.riverfronttimes.com/dailyrft/deersnare.jpg
January 26, 2015 at 10:55 AM
It's easy to find a list of biased opinionated pro-kill articles. I could find just as many articles, but more importantly studies that prove them all wrong. The bottom line, if you know anything about deer reproductive science and deer management, you would know that killing deer doesn't control deer populations. Laura Simon, a wildlife biologist, has presented these studies to the Commission. Deer populations are mainly controlled by food supply and actually stabilize at biological carrying capacity in relation to the supply of food. If Mt. Lebanon would simply control the food supply by stop planting irrisitable flowers in their 30+ flower islands, and hold deer proofing seminars to teach residents how to deer proof their gardens and landscapes, the deer would stop traveling to Mt. Lebanon to eat your flowers. The solution you promote; i.e. turning our densely populated and developed community into a shooting gallary that threatens all Mt. Lebanon families, children, and pets is ineffective and is an accident waiting to happen.
In addition, many independent forest and wildlife experts disagree with your opinions. "Acid rain is more responsible than white-tailed deer for forests not regenerating, claims [Bill Sharpe] a Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences forest hydrologist ... They can kill all the deer, but it will take a lot more than that to fix the forests." Penn State Expert Blames Forest Problem on Acid Rain, Not Deer", Penn State Live, 5/17/02. In addition, in a recent landmark study, "Regional-Scale Assessment of Deer Impacts on Vegetation Within Western Connecticut, USA", Angela C. Rutherford, et al., School of Forestry and Environmental Studies, Yale University, Journal of Wildlife Management 74(6):1257-1263; 2010: DOI:10.2193/2009-068, concluded that deer density is not a leading factor determining variation in vegetation impacts. Furthermore, a study from Ohio University, "Indirect Effects of a Keystone Herbivore Elevate Local Animal Diversity", Katherine R. Greenwalk, et al., Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology, Ohio State University, Journal of Wildlife Management 72(6):1318-1321; 2008, concluded that management of deer populations (e.g., via culling, sterilization, or carnivore reintroduction) could have the unintended effect of reducing local diversity of herpetofauna and invertebrates.
While it may seem counter intuitive, killing deer actually triggers an increase in deer reproduction and population. Reproductive rebound is a well documented population dynamic in deer and other mammals. When the deer herd density is temporarily reduced through hunting, culling, or trapping, there is reduced competition for food, and the number of twins and triplets born actually increases. Studies have show that after a hunt surviving females produced enough offspring to not only replace those killed, but enough to actually increase the size of the herd. This is called reproductive rebound or compensatory reproduction. This phenomenon explains why hunting as a management tool has resulted in an ever-increasing number of deer in this country. For example, a study conducted by the Dept of Wildlife and Range Sciences, School of Forest Resources and Conservation at the University of Florida sampled deer from five separate sites: three hunted and two nonhunted. The study found that the incidence of twins being born to a pregnant doe was higher on hunted land than on non hunted land. The study found the incidence of twinning was 38% on hunted sites and 14% on nonhunted sites. No twinning was observed among pregnant fawns or yearlings from nonhunted areas, whereas...18% of the pregnant yearlings and...33% of the pregnant fawns from hunted areas carried twins." (Reproductive Dynamics Among Disjunct White-tailed Deer Herds in Florida", Journal of Wildlife Management (1985)).
Laura Simon, The Humane Society of the United States's (HSUS) wildlife biologist writes: “One of the main problems with trying to manage deer through any kind of hunting or culling – as repeatedly cited during a Smithsonian Institute conference on Deer Overabundance (McShea et. al 1997) – is that deer are highly prolific, and their high reproductive rate can quickly compensate for declines in their population. They exhibit higher productivity (i.e. more twins and triplets are born, have higher survival rates, etc.) as their numbers lessen and more food becomes available for the remaining deer. In other words, they ‘bounce back’. ... We do not see any evidence that hunting or culling works over the long-term or is an answer for suburban deer conflicts.”
Allen Rutberg, Ph.D., Assistant Director, Center for Animals and the Public Policy, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts University, wrote: “the most visible weakness in the assertion that hunting is necessary to control deer populations is that it has largely failed to do so over the last two decades. Just because deer are being killed doesn’t mean that deer populations are being controlled.” (The Science of Overabundance: Deer Ecology and Population Management.)
"Oh wow. I totally missed this. 11:55 AM, you write, "those outsider deer will migrate to the sterilized deer territory in search of less competition.""
Sharpshooting, archery or being killed with a bolt... either way the result is less compettition for the outside deer that will migrate into Mt. Lebanon, thus starting the problem all over again!
So for a $75,000 exercise in futility what do you achieve 11:55? Thanks for highlighting the absurdity in this nonsense.
11:55am again the gun right wing crazy folk are threatened that they won't have enough deer to go huntin'.
The Pa Game Commission Bias and Conflit of Interest Part (1)
Although the The Pa Game Commission (PGC) portrays itself as a wildlife “conservation” organization whose mission is to manage wildlife for the benefit of all Pennsylvanians, this portrayal is extremely misleading. The PGC is a game commission managing a statewide recreational hunting business serving its hunting constituents (only 5-6% of PA’s population and declining fast, and likely less than 1% of Mt. Lebanon residents). The PGC is funded by hunting license fees, game land timber sales, and Federal funding under the Pittman-Roberston Act (PRA). The Federal funds are distributed based upon each state’s land area and its number of hunting licenses sold.
“That is a key reason ‘scientific herd management’ through hunting is the agencies’ bread and butter. They manage herds not to prevent problems in residential areas, but to serve themselves and their hunter constituents. Promoting deer kills also serves wildlife agencies’ interests by masking the agencies’ own responsibility for deer population growth.” (White-Tailed Deer: The Phantom Menace, David Cantor, 1999.)
"Deer are [artificially] managed on a Maximum Sustained Yield (M.S.Y.) principle to produce surpluses for hunter recreation. One M.S.Y. method is to kill excesses of bucks in order to alter the natural 1 to 1 male/female sex ratio, leaving 5 to 15 females for each male. This maximizes fawn production. Another M.S.Y. method is habitat manipulation. For example, the Wildlife Division of the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) in Michigan increased the deer herd from 400,000 to one million by clear cutting 1.3 million acres of state forest to create deer browse. According to officials, this was done "because a forest managed by nature cannot produce a fraction of the deer needed by half a million hunters." (The American Hunting Myth, Ron Baker, 1985)
The PGC spends more than 40% of its $80 million budget on wildlife habitat improvements for game species. The state’s deer are intentionally managed for “maximum sustained yield” to produce more targets for their hunting constituents. Contrast this with the fact that only 2.87% of their budget is directed toward non-game species, and their priorities become very clear.
I almost see the desire to kill as such a push for the need for hunting to give the industry a push. If the industry of hunting is dipping maybe someone should make up a HUGE problem with deer in the last few years so that they can bring the industry up again. This is all about dollars and cents to the big companies thanks Fox News, Dicks Sporting Goods and Hunting and Fishing stores!
The Pa Game Commission Bias and Conflit of Interest (Part 2)
"In an interview a few years ago, Gary Alt described how he felt when he took the job as director of the PGC's deer management section. He looked at the history of deer mgt in the state and saw that every biologist who had ever suggested lowering the number of deer to a level more compatible with the amount of available habitat had been fired, transferred or quit. On the verge of offering similar advice of his own ... 'I thought, My God, I'm going to get killed.' ...When Alt was traveling the state doing lectures for sportsmen, things were so hot that he was advised to wear a bulletproof vest and have an escape route planned for any hall he entered." This article in the Pittsburgh Tribune Review reveals what's behind the curtain, in their own words. http://triblive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/regional/s_285817.html#axzz3FmRMSdyE
The PGC's artificial propagation of the deer population and hunting are responsible for the majority of car-deer collisions across the state.
Local scenarios typically follow the same pattern. A few residents complain about deer eating their tulips. The local commissioners, unsure of what to do, contact the PGC for help. The PGC's confirms this growing deer population phenomena, and recommends that the local township rescind its ban on the use of lethal weapons and hunting, and allow hunting, or sponsor a hunting program. Conveniently, the PGC fails to own any responsibility for the increase of the deer population. Even more conveniently, the PGC manages to be paid both to ”create” the problem and again to “solve” it. However, hunting doesn't reduce deer populations, but actually triggers an increase in the population (reproduction rebound), and causes an increase in car-deer collisions. Hunting isn't a solution to a "problem", but a commitment to a permanent problem.
The problem is that neither the Commission or the public understands this biased agenda, and typically look to the PGC as the "experts", and outsources its decision making to an agency so clearly motivated by its own biased agenda and conflicts of interest.
Hunting is the main cause of car-deer collisions
The Pa Game Commission's (PGC) antiquated "deer management" paradigm is responsible for the size of the deer population and car-deer collisions. The deer are deliberately managed for "maximum sustained yield" for the benefit of its hunter constituents. This artificial propagation of the deer population and hunting are responsible for a majority of car-deer collisions across the state. According to the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration, most car-deer collisions happen during hunting season. Pennsylvania's second largest insurance company (the nation's 12th largest insurer) — Erie Insurance — collected data that showed a five-fold increase in car-deer collisions on the first day of hunting, and that car-deer collisions remain high throughout hunting season. This is caused by hunters pushing deer out into the roads and panicked wounded deer running into the roads. In addition, once you kill the matriarch doe, whose job it is to safely cross her family, her orphans will run into the roads without caution. How ironic that Mt. Lebanon is implementing a hunting program to reduce car-deer collisions.
Nice. You didn't post my comment. More interested in appearing right than being right? Gotcha.
Trap and bolt - such a cruel and inhumane practice. I can hardly read this blog anymore, it makes my stomach turn.
I am ashamed to live here.
For crying out loud, 2:27 PM. I stepped away from my computer for a change and had lunch with a friend.
I am sorry that I wasn't waiting for your comment to arrive.
Hope to see you tonight when you inform the commissioners that they are wrong in implementing a deer sterilization program.
Elaine
If 2:27 is the same person as 11:55, please publish their comment, Elaine.
It's bound to be good.
I published everything I have received while I was out, 3:03 PM. I guess I am not permitted to have fun for a change.
Elaine
"I published everything I have received while I was out, 3:03 PM. I guess I am not permitted to have fun for a change.
Elaine"
Now that's just not true and you know it. I find your hypocrisy amusing.
Gee, is that a new tactic from the people that hate your blog?
Claim they submitted some solid evidence supporting their position and then claim you didn't publish it.
Oddly similar to -- 'we've heard from an overwhelming number of people supporting the high school renovation' without showing any hard evidence.
There are some folks who have strong objections to spending thousands of dollars to cull deer. Many of the opponents to a cull suggest that all living creatures deserve to peacefully co-exist and we shouldn't kill deer just to protect people's private gardens or other desirable flora.
Where do these same folks stand on the issue of killing invasive plants? Lebo has or is about to increase spending in this area significantly, but philosophically isn't it the same thing? By eliminating invasives we electing to kill one type of living plant simply because we prefer to protect a different, presumably more desirable plant.
I'm not suggesting that controlling invasives is a bad idea, but I'm thinking that many who oppose a deer cull probably support an invasives cull. How does that work - philosophically?
Or do the anti-cull arguments only apply if the creature to be culled has a face and parents?
Obviously off topic, but related to the blog in general.
Lebomag.com has just launched another of their inane polls. Trouble is they don't offer the obvious answer to their question "What will be THE Mt. Lebanon news story of 2015?"
How about -- Skyrocketing school district and municipal taxes!
Caused by the choices they've given... the high school renovation, turf, deer management and a few they haven't like pensions, PAYT and raises.
2:02, you're nuts. I'd love it if there weren't enough deer to support hunting. All the other species would have a chance. It's the hunters and "ah, they're so cute!" sect that want overpopulation.
Tonight, surely one of the Commissioners will suggest residents move if they don't like the direction the Commission is going.
However, Allegheny County possesses more residents who have lived in their homes for longer periods of time than anywhere else in the country. They aren't going to start moving out because the lawyers in town think it's a good idea.
Not only has Brumfield suggested residents move, a local judge said the following in response to a resident who requested an examination of whether his case was handled fairly:
"You want fair?" Allegheny County Common Pleas Court, Judge Lester G. Nauhaus said. "As I say all the time: go to Somerset County. They have tractor pulls and cow pies."
I think Brumfield and Nauhaus should enjoy the cow pies themselves. They weren't born here, raised here, and they don't respect long-standing residents who have been treated unfairly. In fact, they are making a joke out of Allegheny Co and Mt Lebanon.
I am considering going back to not accepting anonymous comments, pal. I had an Aha moment today when I thought it through. It would only affect the Mt. Lebanon characters like Kristen Linfante, Dave Franklin, Susan Morgans and troll cop.
I guess that would make me the bully again, right, 3:13 PM?
Elaine
3:33, do you believe the deer population in MTL will grow infinitely?
Barbara Logan just introduced herself to me and wanted me to let Lebo Citizens readers know that she is not a master gardener. She has not gone through the training and it would be pretentious to say that she is.
Elaine
I grew up in Mt Lebanon and left to attend college and to start my career. Growing up in the 1970's you had to travel to South Park if you wanted to see a deer or to the Pittsburgh Zoo. Our house was close to the golf course and surrounded by two rather large woods and we never saw deer. My uncle owned a huge farm out in Washington County close to the Meadows and we never saw deer out there. I remember my Grandfather, my Dad, my Uncles and brothers traveling to a hunting camp somewhere near Greensburg for the first day of deer hunting. It was this huge event that always ended up with none of them even seeing a deer. Mom always said it was a "Man thing" and smiled. Now I'm back in Mt Lebanon trying to deal with all the changes. But where did all these deer come from? Did they open the gates of the deer enclosures at South Park? Also we always had a garden and I would love to start one. Is there a class on how to have a garden and keep the deer out? What type of plants can I plant to not invite the deer into our yard? It would be great to have some kind of mentoring program for new gardeners like me.
Hi Laurie,
There was $12,000 set aside last year for the very program you described. It never happened. Instead, the $12,000 was dropped into the pool of money this year to kill deer.
I had suggested years ago to use the park next to my house as an experimental deer resistant garden and training facility to host seminars such as what you described.
Do a Google search for deer resistant gardens. That would be a good start. Email me privately and I can help you too.
Elaine
The deer were here in the 70s. It's a myth that Mt Lebanon is overrun by deer. If it were, where are all the dreaded and deadly MV accidents? Wouldn't they be on the news? I am sure that WPXI would be here in a heartbeat to interview witnesses; they came to document the cat hoarding... deer/MVA are much more newsworthy for Mt Lebanon residents.
A vehicle overturning on Roycroft made TV news on Saturday.
No mention of deer involvement or not. If there were a lot of deer related accidents in Mt. Lebanon you can be sure one of the stations would be all over it.
Wow - that was Roycroft? That's another street that was falsely reclassified as a collector but is actually residential. Thanks, Mt Lebanon municipal employees, for encouraging speeding in residential neighborhoods. I hope the 12 year old was released from the hospital.
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