COMMUNITY INFO
SHALER TOWNSHIP DEER MANAGEMENT PROGRAM – LANDOWNER PARTICIPATION
Dear Resident landowners,
The Shaler Township Police Department is seeking your partnership in our Deer Management Program, an important initiative to address deer overpopulation in our community. In recent years, Western PA has seen a significant rise in deer-related vehicle accidents, property damage, and ecological imbalance.
To improve the program’ s effectiveness, we are looking to expand our archery deer management efforts and are inviting private landowners to participate.
Why Your Participation Matters
The program’ s success depends on access to private property for controlled and safe deer removal. By allowing qualified hunters to use your property, you can help:
• Improve public safety by reducing deer-related traffic accidents.
• Protect property from landscaping and garden damage.
• Support ecological balance by maintaining a healthy deer population and ecosystem.
COMMUNITY INFO
FEEDING DEER PROHIBITED IN TOWNSHIP
Township residents are reminded that there is a Township Ordinance prohibiting the feeding of deer. Providing a feeding source encourages deer to return to the area in search of food, which results in large herds in certain areas of the Township. These herds can increase the risk for disease transmission, by spreading disease and the presence of ticks. Large herds of deer often push the smaller deer, specifically fawns, aside, and they often receive less food that they would have if people had left them alone to feed for themselves.
During the winter months, deer rely on wood and evergreen vegetation for their nutritional and metabolic needs and their digestive system is better able to process than other food. Providing deer with unnatural food sources such as corn or hay can result in illness or even death as they are unable to digest the food properly. Feeding the deer also lure them away from natural wintering areas which increase their energy loss and often lead to malnutrition and even death.
If one of your neighbors is feeding deer, please contact the Township office, Monday – Friday, from 8 AM until 4:30 PM with the information and the Township Code Enforcement Officer will inspect the area to verify that there is evidence of feeding and advise the resident of the Township ordinance and begin the enforcement process. haler
TOWNSHIP OF SHALER NEWS
Shaler Township has run a controlled archery program for over 20 years, using qualified, permitted archers during the hunting seasons set by the PA Game Commission. All activities follow strict safety protocols and applicable regulations.
How to Get Involved If you are a Shaler Township landowner interested in learning more or offering access to your property:
• Email: deermanagement @ shaler. org
Ofc. Dom Palombo or Lt. Josh Watkins will respond to your inquiry.
• Include: Your property address, a brief description, and your contact information.
• We will assess each property for suitability, including safety distances, hazards, and access.
For Archers
Qualified archers interested in participating may apply. Please note, space in the program is limited and based on available hunting locations. For additional information and to apply, please visit: https:// www. shaler. org / 299 / Controlled-Deer-Hunt
Thank you for your support in making our community safer and more balanced for all. J. Sean Frank, Chief of Police Shaler Township Police Department
THE CHEW CREW IN SHALER TOWNSHIP
In August, the Township hired a company to bring goats to Shaler to help clear out overgrown areas including several detention ponds. The goats, affectionately known as The Chew Crew, were placed in each area for about 7-10 days.
In addition to the detention ponds, the goats were also placed along Eagle Canyon Trail at Fawcett Fields at the beginning of September to mid-October to help with the Japanese Knotweed that has taken over.
In each of these areas, fencing, a tent, hay, and water was set up for the goats during their stay and cameras were installed for their safety.
We thank Arlo, Whiskey, Shadow, Tanner, Luke, Mabel, Diamond, and the rest of the crew for all of their hard work!
SHALER AREA ❘ WINTER 2025 11