Deer Cull Postponed as Regulations Change

January 27, 2009

Editor’s note: This article was initially published in The Daily Gazette, Swarthmore’s online, daily newspaper founded in Fall 1996. As of Fall 2018, the DG has merged with The Phoenix. See the about page to read more about the DG.

The deer cull in the Crum Woods will not take place this winter, due in part to a proposed change in Pennsylvania Game Commission regulations about what entities can apply for a controlled hunt.

The borough of Swarthmore and the adjoining township of Nether Providence applied on the College’s behalf for the controlled hunt in November, but in the intervening time, a rule change has been proposed that would allow landowners to apply for a controlled hunt on their own behalf, instead of requiring all applications to be sponsored by a municipality. Director of Grounds Jeff Jabco described the change as “agreed upon but not enacted yet,” and explained that the delay in application approval was due largely to that change.

Sample advertisement

Jabco speculated that “now that the deer population, especially in suburbia, has increased… they need to work with large local landowners… a home owner’s association or a condo association could also apply.”

At this point, the cull “won’t happen before next winter. It’s too difficult to do it by late March once the plants start growing… it’s more difficult to actually see the deer [and] for safety purposes we want to have everything clear so that it’s a clear shot.” Furthermore, “the deer’s habits change as far as eating, so getting deer into one location is also difficult.”

Is there anything the college can do to stave off another year of deer overpopulation in the Crum? “We can’t really fence off everything,” said Jabco. “That would just make the problem more severe for all of our neighbors, so there really aren’t any options.”

The Pennsylvania Game Commission “has suggested some changes to our proposal,” continued Jabco, namely having a controlled hunt open to the public, “but we believe the most effective way would be a cull with professional sharpshooters.” Asked about why the Game Commission might have suggested the change, Jabco said “I don’t know that there would be advantages… [but] their business is hunters, and they want to get them involved when they can.”

Right now, Jabco says that the delay will give the college a chance to strengthen parts of their proposal. “I’m meeting with some folks from the Game Commission soon… I would like to walk the area with them, it makes them more familiar with what we’re having to deal with.”

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

Previous Story

Swarthmore Named Best Value in Private Higher Education

Next Story

Bat Attack!

Latest from Sports

Athlete of the Week: Lauren Lior ’27

Swarthmore women’s soccer forward Lauren Lior ’27 hails from Fairfield, CT, and is a graduate of Greens Farms Academy. During her first year with the Garnet, she had a stellar season, breaking into the starting lineup, and cementing herself as an integral

WSOC Day in the Life: Away Game vs. Muhlenberg College

As we head into the middle of the fall semester, Swarthmore’s sports schedules will become increasingly busy. While exams and paper deadlines approach quickly, varsity athletic teams plunge into the middle of conference play, when the significance of winning is the most

Swinging Through the Glass Ceiling 

The Swarthmore men’s golf team has welcomed numerous women as walk-on players over the years. Currently there are two female players competing on the men’s team: Ava Chon ’26 and Bori Chung ’28. Chon is a senior from Princeton, NJ, who went

Athlete of the Week: Melissa Eyer ’28

Melissa Eyer '28 runs the volleyball court with her elite ball control and defensive capabilities. Read on to hear more about her fourth Centennial Athlete of the Week selection!
Previous Story

Swarthmore Named Best Value in Private Higher Education

Next Story

Bat Attack!

The Phoenix

Don't Miss