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NEWTOWN, PA — A one-day, antlered and antlerless deer hunt will take place on Wednesday, Dec. 4 at Tyler State Park in Newtown and Northampton townships. The park will be closed to all other activities for the day.
According to the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, which oversees the park, the annual hunt helps maintain balance within the park’s ecosystem and the deer herd.
“Wildlife biologists have determined that the deer population is adversely affecting the natural habitat,” park officials said. “Deer impact the delicate balance of the park’s ecosystem by over-browsing on tree saplings, forest understory, shrubs and wildflowers. To that end, large deer populations have caused damage to the park’s natural ecosystem resulting in a severe reduction in the biological diversity of plant and animal species in the area.”
The one-day shotgun only hunt is intended to reduce both antlered and antlerless deer populations, park officials said. Similar to hunts held in the past, only shotguns will be permitted, using “00” buckshot, and will be limited to 150 hunters holding special state park permits.
“DCNR’s Bureau of State Parks takes every precaution to ensure that the hunt is conducted safely,” park officials said. “Safety zones, no hunting areas, and park boundaries will be posted and strictly enforced. Extra Park Rangers and Wildlife Conservation Officers will be stationed throughout the park during the hunt.”
An additional late season archery hunt is scheduled for Dec. 26 through Jan. 25 in the park north of the Dairy Hill Trail including the Covered Bridge area for a total of 500 acres. Sixty permits will be issued with a maximum of 16 hunters per day permitted in the hunting area. All hunters must attend a mandatory safety orientation.
For copies of the hunting notice and/or the hunt area map, contact the park office. For more information about Tyler State Park and to check out its Calendar of Events, visit DCNR’s website.