Protect the Park's Wildlife Habitat

Unfortunately, a rapidly growing white-tailed deer herd threatens Valley Forge's beautiful landscapes and many of the other species that live in the park. White-tailed deer population monitoring between 1997 and 2006 indicates an increase in deer density from 154 to 244 deer per square mile within Valley Forge NHP.  Current deer density is approximately 14 times greater than then that recommended by the state to maintain forest regeneration.  This concentration of deer threatens forest health and visitor safety.  For example:

• Forest health is declining.  Since deer consume seedlings of native trees and shrubs, non-native plants are overrunning the park. This situation is illustrated within 30 fenced deer-proof enclosures where, unlike the rest of the park, native trees and shrubs flourish, providing habitat for native birds and other wildlife.

• Car accidents cause personal injury and property damage. An average of 100 vehicular accidents involving deer occur yearly in the park, with many more on its outskirts.

Valley Forge NHP currently is developing a deer management plan that will maintain a white-tailed deer population within the park while also protecting the natural resources that support the park's mission.  The objectives of the plan include:

• Protecting and promoting the restoration of the natural composition of native plant communities by reducing browsing, trampling, and non-native seed distribution by deer, leading to a healthy abundance, distribution, and diversity of other native wildlife species.

• Allowing a diverse forest structure of predominantly native species by reducing deer browsing.

• Promoting a mix of native plants and reducing the competitive advantage of invasive non-native plant species.

• Restoring habitat for nesting birds.

In September 2006, the NPS held a public scoping period.  This included studying the best method for controlling the population including fencing of targeted vegetation communities, lethal reduction, reproductive control, and a no-action alternative.  The next opportunity for public comment will be after completion of the Draft White-tailed Deer Management Plan/EIS in late 2007.

Given Valley Forge's extremely high deer population, its location within a quickly developing area, and the over population throughout the region, viable options are limited. Studies indicate birth control is not effective on free ranging herds and in the short term does not reduce density.  Likewise, in a region overrun by deer, trapping and releasing deer in another location is not realistic. While lethal measures should be a last resort in a national park, a limited cull may be the only way to effectively thin the herd. 

Need more information? Visit http://www.nps.gov/vafo/parkmgmt/white-tailed-deer.htm or contact Cinda Waldbuesser, NPCA's Pennsylvania program manager, at (215) 327-2529 or cwaldbuesser@npca.org.