Politics & Government

Committee Approves Karebrook Hunts

The hunts would run September through January

 

The Abington Public Affairs Committee last night approved a motion allowing controlled deer hunts by the company Abington Deer Management in the Karebrook Nature Study Area.

The hunts will last the entire season — running from September to January. The exact dates will be set when the Pennsylvania Game Commission establishes the 2012-13 deer hunting season.

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According to Abington Parks and Recreation Director Doug Wendell, last year Abington Deer Management removed five deer from the site, which is on Valley Road, near the Meadowbrook Train Station. He said that each doe usually has two fawns.

“It was successful last season,” Wendell said, “and I believe it is necessary for this season.”

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The Abington Board of Commissioners approved deer hunts in Karebrook in 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2011. Hunts were not needed in 2009 and 2010, Wendell said.

Abington Deer Management uses standard bows, crossbows and compound bows to shoot the deer; the shooters shoot down from tree stands.

Wendell said nearby residents will be notified prior to the hunt. He added that each vehicle used by Abington Deer Management shooters will have a sticker indicating that he or she is a hunter.

Resident Lora Lehman said, “bow hunting can be very cruel, especially if a hunter misses, or hits the wrong part of the deer.”

According to a 2011 memo from Abington Animal Control Officer Ron Griffith to Abington Police Chief William Kelly, there were 72 deer related crashes in 2010—the highest number of crashes since 1997, when there were also 72 crashes.

Of the 72 crashes, 25 happened on Valley Road. Eight crashes happened on Meetinghouse Road, and there were seven crashes on Church Road, according to the memo.

The memo tallied deer crashes dating back to 1990. The highest number of crashes happened in 1994 (84).

There were no human fatalities as a result of the crashes during the 20-year span.

The Abington Township Board of Commissioners will meet May 10 at 8 p.m. at the township building. 


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