In case you missed it UPDATED 09/04/18

Archery Hunt 2018-2019 FAQ

Update September 4, 2018 12:19 PM Here is Timmy's semi-annual warning for killing deer in our densely populated community. Isn't it ironic that parents and certain school board directors have issues with School Resource Officers carrying guns in our schools, but there is no outcry from those who have concerns with weapons being discharged in undisclosed locations and parks? The killing will be done during daylight hours with parks remaining open.

From: Dr. Timothy Steinhauer
Sent: Tuesday, September 4, 2018 9:00 AM
To: Mt. Lebanon Parents 
Subject: Update: Municipal Deer Management Program 

Dear Mt. Lebanon School District Families, 

In our ongoing effort to keep you apprised of local issues, I am sending you information that I received from the Mt. Lebanon Municipality concerning the controlled archery hunt they will conduct from September 15 through January 26 with a break between November 24 and December 25. I have attached a letter from Assistant Municipal Manger Ian McMeans with details about the program and a link to more extensive information on the Municipal website at http://www.mtlebanon.org/2114/Deer-Management-Information. This same information is also being shared with all of our principals, teachers, and support staff. Please do not hesitate to contact the Mt. Lebanon Municipality or Mt. Lebanon Police Department should you have any questions. 

Sincerely, Timothy J. Steinhauer, Ed.D. 
Superintendent of Schools 

Municipal 2018 Deer Program Notification Letter.pdf

Various parties will be notified.

What does THAT mean? The Public Information Office finally fixed the December 5, 2017 broken link to the FAQ "Sharpshooting" 2018 program on January 16, 2018. Shooting starts in a week. The details become more and more obscure every year. We're back to the hours listed as "Shooting takes place in the late afternoon and after dark." Seven days a week.

As I have written before, DeNicola originally quoted MTL commissioners $250 per deer for "sharpshooting." This year, our commissioners are willing to pay $771.10 per deer, even more lucrative than Timmy's annual increases! That is based on killing 100 deer. What will be the true cost this year? We will learn more in April, after DeNicola has cashed his check.
Just like previous years, the number of archery kills from the middle of September to January 31, 2018 will be available half way through the "sharpshooting" program. 

Looks like we are being FUQ'ed again. Frequently Unanswered Questions (FUQ) No contract posted on the municipal website. Through a Right To Know, you can read it here. 2017-2018 "Sharpshooting" Contract "Executed" copy available here.

Not transparent enough, Susan. For those who like to accuse me of making personal attacks toward our PIO, I just publish what she says. https://lebocitizens.blogspot.com/2015/12/latest-right-to-know-shaking-my-head.html

Not transparent enough.

Manager's numbers are out of whack!

Keith McGill sent this table to the commission, the assistant manager, and the person who requested this information at the last commission meeting. I don't know where Keith got some of these numbers, but his records are not accurate.

Good afternoon,

At the meeting on Monday night there was a request to identify the number of deer removed since we put a deer management program in place and the associated cost. Here is what my records indicate:

Year	Deer Removed	Cost of Removal
2007	79	$19,900  (USDA)
2008	146	$50,837 (USDA)
2015	6	$3,000  (Wildlife Specialists)
2016	101	$15,460 (White Buffalo -Archery)
2016	114	$74,375 (White Buffalo –Sharpshooting)
2017	36	$9,000 (White Buffalo- Archery)
2017	55	$44,868 (White Buffalo -Sharpshooting)
Total	537	$217,440

Keith


There were 69 deer killed in 2007. The permit was for up to 75. http://mtlebanon.org/DocumentCenter/Home/View/8876

In 2008, USDA killed 146 deer, but only knew about 145 deer. The 146th was found dead, in a pool of blood, in someone's front yard on Lindendale. The permit was for up to 150 deer.

The 2016 Archers killed 104 deer. http://www.mtlebanon.org/DocumentCenter/View/13897 Goal was 100.

The 2016 "Sharpshooting" program killed 115 deer. We were told that the limit would be 150 deer.

The 2017 "Sharpshooting" contract was limited to 100 deer. 55 deer were killed.

The only time hunters reached their goal was in 2016. The goal was 100 deer. All the other years, hunters came in short of their goals. I have no idea where Keith is getting his numbers, but these are the numbers I found on the municipal website.

To take this a step further, the cost of killing per deer per year breaks down to:

2007 $288.41 per deer
2008 $348.20 per deer
2015 $500 per deer
2016 (archery) $147.24 per deer
2016 ("sharpshooting") $652.41 per deer
2017 (archery) $250 per deer
2017 ("sharpshooting") $815.78 per deer

Both Steve Silverman and Craig Grella want to continue doing business with that scoundrel, and will vote along with John Bendel and Steve McLean to keep Tony DeNicola. Killing deer causes collisions to increase, but they will continue to bring in lethal weapons because deer are scary.

This is YOUR government UPDATED including response from Tony

Nick Meduho submitted a Right To Know on February 22, 2017 and received this response on March 1. Nick can file an appeal with the Office of Open Records, but what is the point of that? Mt. Lebanon will just take him to Court of Common Pleas if the OOR rules in Nick's favor. Today, Nick emailed the municipality these questions and received no response.

“Does anyone know who has possession of the trail cameras that were used during the archery hunt that were billed to the taxpayers?

Where exactly are they now?

Anyone??”

Update March 10, 2017 9:09 AM Sorry to report that this update does not include answers to Nick M.'s questions. What I wanted to share is The Almanac's article Deer sharpshooting operation ends in Mt. Lebanon. When information from the municipality is scarce, residents tend to cling to every word, looking for answers. Here is what I got out of Luke Campbell's column.

“I don’t think anybody was expecting 70 degree weather in February,” municipal manager Keith McGill said. “When it gets that warm the deer are less attracted to the bait because they don’t need to expend as much energy. There is also a whole lot more human activity.”

As I pointed out previously, "volunteer" archers started hunting in September, in warm weather and no bait, and killed 36 deer while Tony DeNicola charged us $9,000 for non-existing trail cameras, plastic bags, and zip ties. That came to $250 per deer, using "volunteers."

Campbell goes on to report:

The goal of the commission was to ultimately reduce the deer-vehicular collisions by 50 percent over the course of five years only grew further away with 122 accidents reported to Mt. Lebanon police. Those crashes in 2016 increased in every month other than two – October and December – in 2015 when only 73 collisions were reported.

Again, the "five year" window seems to be subjective. Are we in Year 2? Year 3? Year 4? Whatever it takes to sell the program. Repeatedly, I have been asking for the percentage of deer/car collisions to total collisions - a true measure. We get nothing.

McGill explains:

“The number one thing has always been safety,” McGill said. “Residents have requested an aerial survey but deer don’t recognize borders and don’t stay in one place. Accessibility is the question.”

but in the next paragraph:

density of deer remains high in certain parts of the community according to DeNicola.

Our manager tells us that deer don't stay in one place, while the charlatan claims that deer do stay in one place - mostly within Virginia Manor borders.

Meanwhile, the manager, PIO, and commission continue to blacklist residents.

Update March 12, 2017 6:29 PM Nick M. emailed Tony DeNicola today and got some answers. Our commission could have easily done that. Our manager will probably intervene again and tell Tony to direct all emails to him, as he has in the past. Your  power plays are getting really boring, Keith and commission.
Email correspondence from Tony DeNicola in reference to trail cameras.

No mention of archers, baiters, or shooters...Ever

I have mentioned the manager's weekly Administrative Report sent to commissioners and copied to municipal staff in previous posts. I want to share last week's report, as well as this week's report to the commissioners.

Administrative Report #5 February 3, 2017

Administrative Report #6 February 10, 2017

The commissioners learn about missing manhole covers, limited usage of golf carts during mild weather, tree inspections, and the occasional hole in one, but there has NEVER been anything mentioned about the two archery programs or the deer "removal activities" from last year or this year. No mention of baiting. Nothing about when it began. No mention of the report which will be presented by Keith McGill at Tuesday's Discussion Session.

I find it ironic that golf cart usage will be restricted, but Team Tony will be permitted to drive trucks and drag deer carcasses at the golf course.

I get it. It is not relevant, right? The commissioners don't want to know or aren't allowed to know anything about their lethal plans which cost $100,000 a year. Don't ask. Don't tell. Got it.

Thanks for the advanced notice, Timmy UPDATED 2X

Super Timmy sent this email to parents today. Thanks for the heads up, Timmy. Could you have waited a little longer?

Thanks to all the concerned parents who sent me copies of his email.

From: Dr. Timothy Steinjauer <noreply@mtlsd.net>
Sent: Monday, October 3, 2016 12:24 PM
To: Parents in the Mt. Lebanon School District
Subject: 10/03/16 Update: Municipal Deer Management Program

Dear Mt. Lebanon Parents,

The Mt. Lebanon Municipality sent us an update that effective today, Twin Hills Park has been added to the list of public properties that are being utilized in the controlled archery hunt program. All other program information remains the same and can be found at this link on the Municipal website: http://www.mtlebanon.org/2114/Deer-Management-Information.

Sincerely,

Timothy J. Steinhauer, Ed.D.

Superintendent of Schools

Update October 3, 2016 5:56 PM Did Timmy really spell his name incorrectly? OMG.

Update October 3, 7:47 PM Thanks for reading my blog, John Hayes. ugh. Mt. Lebanon expands deer hunt to include disputed Twin Hills Park

Jaywalking Ordinance Passed Unanimously UPDATED

The TV cameras were at the commission meeting tonight. Three people spoke against the jaywalking ordinance. It didn't matter. The commissioners' minds were made up. Fines up to $300 for anyone caught jaywalking. I guess we now have a walking tax.

Nabbed a crosswalk DRIVER violator on video - Sunday, February 21, 2016

Speaking of walking, Jody Jodi Joe D. spoke via telephone to the commissioners tonight concerning the "successful"archery program. Approximately 2% of the wounded deer got away. Kelly asked where they went and Jody said they just got away. Jody was proud of the fact that the number that got away was only 2%. Usually, it is around 5%. For future archery programs, Jody would like to see hunting over bait. There are some counties that permit that. He wants archers who aren't police officers to kill deer in our parks. Twin Hills should have been allowed. Mt. Lebanon is a private property owner of Twin Hills. They could have gotten lots of deer there. Jody wants White Buffalo killers (archery and guns) to be able to ask people for ID, who are walking through the public property during killing. If they don't have id, then the cops are called. They could be poachers or people interfering with a hunt.

Update February 23, 2016 1:25 PM Mt. Lebanon Commissioners Approve Jaywalking Ordinance

4 Public Properties Identified

Through my latest Right To Know, I found the list of public properties that are being considered. The four are:

Robb Hollow Park
Golf Course
Bird Park
McNeilly Park

Public properties and maps

This will give parents nightmares. From Steve Felle's September 4, 2015 Administrative report:

Update September 4, 2015 12:35 PM Highlights from the following link of documents include:

With four public properties and ten - fifteen "quality" private properties, White Buffalo would be fortunate to "harvest" 100 deer.

Deer are smart and will avoid public land that is being hunted, so expect fairly rapid diminishing return. Extend the hunting season as long as possible and have as much private property as possible.

If Mt. Lebanon wants to set aside some money to support meat processing costs, it is typically about $70 per deer.

An archery program is difficult to sustain over time and typically has a honeymoon period of 2-3 years.

The density of the homes is problematic, so Jody Maddock wants to be conservative in any estimate.

And from Steve Feller:

"Several emails were not produced that dealt with persons volunteering to donate their time or property to the program either as an archer or property owner. These were not produced under two exceptions:

(1) The Act at Section 708(b)(1) provides as follows:
     (1) A record the disclosure of which:
           ***

(ii) would be reasonably likely to result in a substantial and demonstrable risk of physical harm to or the personal security of an individual.

(2) The Act at Section 708(b)(13) provides as follows: 

         (13) Records that would disclose the identity of an individual who lawfully makes a donation to an agency unless the donation is intended for or restricted to providing remuneration or personal tangible benefit to a named public official or employee of the agency, including lists of potential donors compiled by an agency to pursue donations, donor profile information or personal identifying information relating to a donor."

Would someone like to translate that for me? Is that saying that the people who want to open their yards to killing and put our adults, children, and pets at risk want protection? Isn't that a bit ironic?

By calling the private properties "Donations," the identity of the landowner is protected.  Wow. They have it all figured out.

Archery hunt planned UPDATED

The agenda for Tuesday's Commission Meeting, to be held at the Mt. Lebanon High School Fine Arts Theatre, has been posted. Looks like an archery hunt is a go!

13. Consideration of a proposal for professional deer management services. 

White Buffalo, Inc. has submitted a proposal to select and train archery hunters and work with property owners on an archery hunt. The contract proposal totals $15,460. Recommended Action: Move to authorize the proper municipal officials to enter into a contract for archery management services, with the understanding that: (a) Dr. DeNicola and Jody Maddock will follow the rigorous screening and training criteria outlined in their proposal of June 30, 2015; (b) Prior to conducting an archery hunt, representatives of White Buffalo will attend the September 8, 2015, Commission meeting to describe the details of the final program including the background of the manager and hunters, number of public and private properties to be used, and safety procedures that will be utilized.

Lebo neighborhood has taken matters into their own hands UPDATED

We don't know where, but an entire street has decided to hire archers and have killed quite a few deer. That was brought out during the deer discussion tonight. No signs have been posted. No mention of which neighborhood. So when you go out to walk you dog, look up in trees and watch for hunters. Feeling safe?

Merlin Benner could not be reached by phone this evening. Hunting could start this month and will be done at parks and at the golf course before 10:00 AM and after 4:00 PM. More information will be shared at the January 13 meeting. Details are sketchy.

Kristen will be available by phone and email for the next three months. If she feels up to it, she may come to a meeting. Kristen's leave of absence was approved unanimously.

Update January 6, 2014 11:25 AM Our helpful PIO has provided clarification to a Lebo Citizens reader on Facebook.

Die deer, die!

I'm sitting through the deer management discussion and Chief McDonough is speaking. As I thought, they want to expand the killing fields.

McNeilly (2)
Bird Park (4)
Portions of Iroquois Park (5)
The Conservation District on Connor Road/Terrace (6)
Golf Course (1)
Robb Hollow Park (3)

Numbers represent priorities.

There are 20 volunteers from four different municipal departments; IT, Police, Fire, and Public Works. It will be done on December 26, 2014 through January 24, 2015 and off the clock. The time period will be one month, six days a week, excluding Sundays, during daylight hours. The municipality will pay the $15 donation fee for the Food Bank since the archers are donating their time. All hunting will be done from temporary tree stands. The archers are responsible for entrails but not the blood.  All areas will be parceled with archers assigned to each parcel. No baiting of deer. Antlerless deer must be taken first. Hours of operation of half hour before dawn to half hour after dusk are being considered.

Brumfield is for the Golf Course and McNeilly. He is on record saying that he has concerns about McNeilly. I asked the police chief if they will alert the neighboring communities and they may. Mt. Lebanon residents will be notified by Lebo Alerts, through Facebook and Twitter. Maps will be on the municipal website. In addition, I requested a copy of what the chief passed out to the commission and he said that it is still in draft form.

The archery will be done while the two permits from the Game Commission are being considered in Harrisburg.

To be continued.

Update December 10, 2014 5:34 AM From another sleepless resident.

Mt. Lebanon approves archery, trapping to cull deer population UPDATED AGAIN

I moved this topic "above the fold" and added this photo to go along with the November 29, 2014 at 3:39 AM comment.  Thank you for your series of comments, 3:39 AM.

OK Kristen, you win. Now go away.

The commissioners approved the deer management plan that I shared on this blog. They have approved archery and "trap and bolt,: as their lethal deer management plan.

Mt. Lebanon is applying to the Game Commission for a broader archery program and the use of “trap-and-bolt” methods that can take place on public or private land with the homeowner's consent. With trapping, deer are lured into a corral with bait, shut in with an automatic gate, then killed with a captive-bolt gun to their heads similar to those used in slaughterhouses. 

The commission will then submit a second application for using surgical sterilization to control the deer population, though Benner's report noted that Pennsylvania has never approved it before.

Read more: Mt. Lebanon approves archery, trapping to cull deer population

http://www.wpxi.com/news/news/local/mt-lebanon-council-votes-how-deal-growing-deer-pop/njFZ7/



Update November 29, 2014 6:56 PM

The game commission requires any deer-management plan to include controlled hunting on public land, which the staff and Mt. Lebanon commissioners decided could be implemented fastest by signing up municipal employees who are experienced hunters.

Read more:  Mt. Lebanon staffers become hunters to attack deer problem

Commission wants your children to witness this UPDATED

On Monday evening, the commission will be voting on lethal and non-lethal methods of deer "management"which include sterilization, archery, and trap and bolt. Information on trap and bolt was provided by others. I can't even look at that stuff. PLEASE write to commissioners and attend Monday's meeting and try to stop these lethal methods of deer "management." I will not be able to attend the meeting since I will be working. Kristen Linfante, who once described herself as the "lone wolf" on deer culling, knows how I feel about this issue.

The commission's goal is to reduce car accidents by 50% in five years. Interestingly, the municipality stopped tracking deer-vehicle collisions when the numbers indicated a decline in this final 7/31/14 report. The municipality is back to showing deer "incidents," which include deer sightings.

Mt. Lebanon commissioners take steps toward deer management

Mt. Lebanon revises plan to thin deer

Game Commission would prefer Mt. Lebanon hunt deer


Sterilization
Deer sterilization is a non-lethal method of deer management. Grant money is available for deer sterilization, which was not reflected in the costs posted by the PG. Sterilization is being done in other states with much success. If the Game Commission approves sterilization, we will be the first in the state to have such a program.

Archery
Archery will be done in daylight hours. Just as I had seen a buck with an arrow in its side walking around on MacArthur on Election Night, this will be a common sight for all. During a recent commission meeting, I asked if Bethel Park had an obligation to contain their deer within Bethel Park while they shot their deer. The answer was no.

Clover Trapping Deer

Please click on URL link below to view a short video that gives an example of the intense stress, panic, and struggle that deer experience in a clover trap. (I won't watch this.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XezJJNzg3nY


Clover Trapping and Shooting Deer

Expert Testimonial

Laura Simon, Wildlife Biologist, The Humane Society of the United States - Excerpts from Letter to Mt. Lebanon Commission, Nov. 6, 2012
While it may sound humane to live capture deer in this way and then euthanize them, the reality is quite different. First of all, deer are extremely stress-prone animals with a highly developed flight response. Once captured, deer tend to panic and "bounce off the walls" in response to being captured and restrained. Their fear level is compounded by the lack of visual barriers, which allows them to see oncoming threats but lack the capability to flee. ... Any effort to safely and humanely kill deer captured in a clover-trap will be arduous and potentially dangerous. The stress levels of deer in a clover trap approached by humans can be huge. Some deer will lie down and try to become invisible, but others will repeatedly charge all the sides of the trap, making a lethal shot extremely difficult at best. ... And of course pistols, like all firearms, are susceptible to ricochet and misfire, which raises additional humane and safety issues. There are various protocols which can be used for capturing and killing deer in clover-traps, yet all have high potential for inhumane outcomes. ... For all these reasons, the HSUS does not recommend the use of clover traps for live-capturing and euthanizing deer. ... T
Capture and Bolt Killing of Deer

EXPERT TESTIMONIALS

Jack Schrier, the NJ Fish & Game Council
The U.S. Veterinarians' Association has stated publicly that net-and-bolt is not appropriate for use in the field. If this loathsome slaughterhouse killing method is employed in any town, it will debase that town and its good people.

Allen T. Rutberg, Ph. D., School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University
My personal opinion ... is that netting & bolting free range deer is at best difficult to carry out humanely and at worst is brutally cruel. Because the practice localizes responsibility for killing with specific property owners, it also stirs up personal animosity among members of the community. Again in my opinion, the potential for animal suffering and the elevated animosity generated by the practice outweighs any benefits that might be achieved by deer population reduction.

Peggy W. Larson, DVM, MS, JD
[Trap and Bolt] This is a very inhumane way to rid yourselves of excess deer because of the extreme fright experienced by the deer and because the captured bolt does not effect a clean kill when the animal’s head is not immobilized. ... If a wounded deer escapes the netting, a resident of the town could be injured and the town held liable. Anyone watching this violent procedure or even knowing about it certainly would find it unpleasant and some may find it emotionally traumatic, especially children. Bait, net and attempt to kill is not a humane solution.

John W. Grandy, Ph.D. Senior Vice President of The Humane Society of the United States
The Humans Society of the United States (HSUS) is committed to preventing needless pain and suffering to all animals. It is cruel to attempt to euthanize a wild animal with a captive bolt gun because the animal will suffer needlessly and terribly. There is nothing remotely humane in this process.

Laura Simon, Wildlife Biologist, The Humane Society of the United States

HSUS Letter to Mt. Lebanon Commission Opposing Clover Trap and Kill, 11/6/2012
I am writing to object strongly to your town’s plan to use trapping and the captive bolt as a management tool for white-tailed deer. The HSUS is committed to preventing suffering in all animals. We firmly believe that it is impossible to ensure that this technology is used correctly and consistently enough in the field to provide a humane death to deer. Captive bolt guns are designed for use on restrained domestic animals in highly structured and controlled environments. Even there, the "humaneness" of these devices has been called into question. These guns were not designed for use on wild animals under any circumstances, and certainly not as a management tool for white-tailed deer.

Clover Trap Capture and Bolt Killing of Deer

After the deer are trapped in a clover trap a hired contractor collapses the trap on the deer and attempts to steady the deer while another contractor fires the bolt gun -- a 4 inch retractable steel rod -- into her skull. Since the deer are inadequately restrained and are strong and heavy, they frequently manage to move. The bolt-gun is then misfired into their eye, jaw, ear or nose. The contractor must reload the bolt gun before trying again. Death from the bolt-gun is often not immediate, adding more prolonged suffering to already terrified animals.

The Reality of Net and Bolt Killing of Deer

www.youtube.com/watch?v=neOr8F8c6as

An explosive charge propels nets over a group of deer, tossing them in the air and ensnaring them. They thrash around, crying out in fear and panic as they are shot in the head with metal bolts. (Undercover footage by SHARK)

The above Net and Bolt youtube video was a S.H.A.R.K undercover investigation to expose animal cruelty. You can see the original video, background info. and veterinarian testimonies who viewed these videos regarding animal cruelty at the S.H.A.R.K. URL link below. We urge you to review the veterinarian testimonies.

Net and Bolt
http://www.sharkonline.org/index.php/deer-rocket-netting

Update November 21, 2014 6:16 PM The deer management plan is available for viewing on Monday's agenda. A few fast ones by our tricky experts: The plan discusses sharp shooting even though Manager Feller, Dave Brumfield, and John Bendel stated that they are opposed to sharpshooting.  Second, the Municipal Deer Control Permit is to include both lethal and sterilization, NOT file two separate permits. Finally, we are NOT to assume that there are 500 deer. That was a number that Kristen and Tony DiNicola came up with during a telephone conversation.  There was no aerial survey conducted.