Pennsylvania communities face growing conflicts with whitetail deer, including increased vehicle collisions, Lyme disease concerns, crop loss, and damage to forest health. These problems are especially visible in southwestern Pennsylvania, but they affect communities across the Commonwealth.

For example:

• Deer-related vehicle collisions in Pennsylvania rose from 3,618 in 2015 to 5,111 in 2024. We are the #1 state for deer-related car accidents.
• Lyme disease is now present in all 67 counties, with continuing public concern over the spread of deer ticks into residential areas.
• Farmers across Pennsylvania continue to report significant crop losses and financial strain caused by deer damage.
• The Pennsylvania Game Commission and DCNR have acknowledged that excessive deer browsing suppresses tree regeneration and reduces native plant abundance and diversity.

No new law is needed to address these problems. The Commonwealth already has programs, permits, and partnerships available through the Pennsylvania Game Commission. What is needed is greater public awareness, land access, and cooperation from municipalities, local governments, and private landowners.

Lawful public hunting remains the most effective tool for managing deer populations, but it depends on access to land. For that reason, municipalities and landowners should be encouraged to open appropriate lands to public hunting and to work with the Game Commission in deer management efforts. Communities that have done so have seen meaningful benefits and are offered greater assistance from the PGC.

Please join us in supporting this resolution to promote awareness and use of these existing wildlife management tools so Pennsylvania can restore balance between deer populations and the communities they impact.