Pittsburgh expanding its deer management program to include new hunting areas, targeted hunts; starts Saturday

Pittsburgh’s deer management program is expanding to new hunting areas, targeted hunts and a boost to its mentorship initiative.

The program starts for the season on Saturday, Sept. 19.

The program is a partnership between the city and the U.S. Agriculture Department to help manage the overpopulation of white-tailed deer in city parks.

Last season included archery-controlled hunts in Frick, Schenley, Highland, Riverview, Emerald View, Hays Woods, McKinley, and Southside Parks, and Seldom Seen and Hazelwood Greenways.

Officials have added Spring Hill/Garden Greenway and Sheraden Park as hunting areas.

“Every year that we’ve done the program, we’ve expanded the program so we get the most comprehensive management of the entire city of Pittsburgh’s deer heard,” said Emily Bourne, Pittsburgh Public Safety spokeswoman.

They were also approved for mentorship hunts. Pittsburgh launched a mentorship program last year that allows vetted archers to mentor youth and adult hunters in proper archery practices. But that was only in one park.

Bourne said adding more mentorship hunting areas was at the request of city residents and done in coordination with the Pennsylvania Game Commission.

Bourne said 65 archers from Southwestern Pennsylvania were selected in the summer to participate in the program.

Participants went through background checks, wildlife violation checks and a rigorous archery accuracy test.

City officials also announced targeted harvesting will also take place in Hays Woods, Seldom Seen, and Highland Parks by contracted USDA officials in the winter/spring of 2027.

Notice signs have been posted in all parks and greenways alerting visitors when archery hunting is taking place.

Park-goers are encouraged to stay on established trails, keep all dogs on a leash as required by law, and to respect hunters’ space.

Archery will take place on these dates:

• Sept. 19 through Dec. 13;

• Dec. 26 through Jan. 24.

There will be no hunting on Sundays except for approved mentor hunts in Hays Woods.

Anyone observing a game violation is asked to report it by contacting the Pennsylvania Game Commission at 724-238-9523.

More information about Pittsburgh’s deer management program is available at pittsburghpa.gov.