Published: November 16, 2009 09:21 am      

Suburban Philly deer hunt to begin tonight

ARDMORE — Hunters will be out at night in a Philadelphia suburb this week in an effort to reduce the deer population.

The deer cull in Lower Merion Township begins today and runs through Thursday from 9 p.m. Officials say they hope to reduce the herd by 576 deer in order to cut down on environmental damage, vehicle crashes and cases of Lyme disease.

A U.S. Department of Agriculture survey found 696 deer in the township, or 58 per square mile, and officials say an appropriate number for such an area would be six to 10 per square mile.

The township says the deer will be donated to the local food bank. And another hunt is set for December.

A plan to kill about 1,500 deer in Valley Forge National Historical Park has drawn protests and a lawsuit by animal rights groups.



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Information from: The Philadelphia Inquirer