Introduction

In cooperation with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) the City of Pittsburgh is expanding its Deer Management Program for the upcoming 2024-2025 season. This will include an archery program in Frick, Riverview, Schenley, Highland, and Emerald View Parks. In addition, a pilot targeted harvesting program will take place in Frick and Riverview Parks at the conclusion of archery season while the parks are closed overnight.

Interested archers can enter into a lottery system from which 50 archers will be selected, along with 50 alternate archers. All selected archers must pass a criminal background check and fulfill the following criteria:

  • Must be at least 18 years of age
  • Be a resident of Allegheny County (priority will be given to City of Pittsburgh residents)
  • Have a clean criminal background check, including a clean PA Game Commission record
  • Plan to purchase a 2B Antlerless Tag 
  • Not participating in other deer management programs

Upon passing a criminal background check, the selected archers will be required to attend an accuracy test on Thursday, July 11 from 3-7 p.m. OR Sunday, July 14 from 9-3 p.m. If the accuracy test is passed, each hunter will be assigned a hunter ID number and a specific location within a park where they are permitted to hunt.

Additional program stipulations:

  • There is a zero-tolerance policy. Any hunter who violates the guidelines outlined in this program or commits a game-law felony will result in immediate expulsion from the program.
  • Every archer is REQUIRED to take a doe first. This doe must be donated to a food bank program, such as Hunters Sharing the Harvest.
  • Absolutely no field dressing is allowed on-site. ALL dressing must be performed at the authorized dressing location.
  • Complete an online post-hunt summary within 24-hours of a successful or non-successful hunt.