Oakmont approaches next steps toward possible deer management

Oakmont officials are nearing the end of a survey period that could result in a possible deer management program.

A post on the borough’s Facebook page said council received more than 500 responses to the deer survey it released to the public in June. The survey can be accessed at the borough website.

Residents have until Sunday, Sept. 7, to submit responses. Data from the survey campaign will be reviewed to determine next steps for a deer management program if one is deemed necessary.

Until those answers become clear, said Phylis Anderson, the borough’s assistant manager, residents must stop feeding deer.

She said borough officials are aware of four homeowners who feed deer, something borough ordinances do not allow. Council member Debra Ormay said feeding deer can result in a fine of up to $600.

Anderson said those homeowners have “not heeded” borough warnings to stop feeding the deer.

“It’s not good for people to feed deer for several reasons,” Anderson said.

She said feeding the animals can cause them to congregate in larger herds, spreading diseases more quickly and easily. And deer corn is not a healthy food source for deer, she said.

The Pennsylvania Game Commission has a policy stating people cannot feed deer beginning a month before hunting season.

“If these residents are continuing to feed the deer during the month prior to hunting season, we can get the Game Commission involved,” she said.

Homeowners can plant deer-resistant plants, apply deer repellent to gardens and construct deer fences to keep deer away. They also can consult the Game Commission for deer management regulation options for individual landowners.

According to PennDOT statistics, there were 1,578 vehicle crashes involving deer from 2020 to 2024 in Allegheny County. Of those crashes, 1,019 involved vehicles hitting deer. The others were instances when vehicles swerved to avoid a deer and hit something else.

Area communities that already have deer management plans include Fox Chapel, Ross, Mt. Lebanon and Pittsburgh, which began an archery-controlled deer management pilot program in 2023 in Frick and Riverview parks.

Last year, the city expanded the program to include Schenley, Highland and Emerald View parks. In addition, sharpshooters killed deer in Frick and Riverview parks at night this year.

Mt. Lebanon created a plan in 2014 to decrease deer-vehicle accidents and address public concern about Lyme disease and the overbrowsing of native vegetation. The township employs archers and sharpshooters to cull its deer herd.