Aerial survey coming this month

People have been asking me to blog about the deer survey that was passed on Monday night, but I have been hesitating since it is like waving a red flag in front of a bull.  Anytime I have brought up deer management, my commissioner would go into attack mode.

A group of us have been meeting with Commissioner Fraasch to find common ground concerning deer management.  Through many meetings, Kelly Fraasch was able to come up with an excellent plan for deer management, as well as a cost effective, yet quite accurate method to count deer in Mt. Lebanon. In her blog posting, Deer...Follow up! , Kelly writes:

The aerial survey has far less potential for human error. Pictures are taken from an airplane and a wildlife specialist is able to count our deer population, note where the herds are located and even tell us the gender of the deer.
Here’s more information about the aerial survey FLIR_surveys
wildlife professional. A recent estimated cost by Susan Bernatas suggests it will cost about $5,400 per survey which would come in less than our budgeted cost.

In the Post Gazette article, it was noted that Kristen Linfante is still pushing for a cull while others are striving for a safer alternative to manage the deer population.

Deer survey coming next month

A survey to estimate the number of deer in the community will be taken next month.

Commissioners voted Monday to authorize municipal officials to solicit proposals for a survey to be conducted in February.

A late addition to the 2013 budget expenditures allots $12,000 for surveys as part of the effort to mitigate safety hazards caused by deer.

Commissioners planned to authorize two such counts this year, with the second one targeted for November, but they revised their intentions prior to Monday's vote.

A second survey would take place in February 2014, if deemed necessary. More accurate comparisons can be drawn from counts done at the same time of year as opposed to different seasons.

The municipality last conducted a deer survey in 2007.

Commissioner Kristen Linfante questioned the need for a repeat survey next year, saying a formula is available to estimate future deer populations based on an initial count. She said that according to her conversations with the head of a research company that does surveys, conducting two in consecutive months might result in a more accurate count.

The municipality plans to install additional signs and conduct a public education campaign in an attempt to decrease the number of deer-related accidents.

While many residents agree on the need for action to improve safety, the method of how to do it has caused divisiveness. Some argue that a cull using high-powered rifles would be the most effective method; others oppose measures that involve firearms.

Kimberly Schevtchuk said she supports a proposal by Commissioner Kelly Fraasch that involves deer sterilization. Such a method has "proved effective in other communities. It keeps public safety a priority," Ms. Schevtchuk said.

Ms. Linfante, however, expressed concern about the short-term results of a sterilization program and said she would support it in conjunction with a cull.

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/neighborhoods-south/the-south-at-a-glance-672829/#ixzz2JZz5XSzF

Meanwhile on Facebook, mtl Magazine posted a photo of foxes that are in our community.


Photo by mtl - Mt. Lebanon Magazine


 I want to thank Kelly for working with us. By listening to any commission podcast regarding deer management, it is easy to pick out our committee. It consisted of every single person whom my commissioner attacked.  Through listening, collaborating, and communicating, Commissioner Fraasch was able to move the deer management program forward.