Deer Hunt Complaints Prompt Property Removal In Lower Makefield Twp.

LOWER MAKEFIELD TOWNSHIP, PA —With residents expressing their concerns, the township has removed the Yardley Run development from its list of township-owned properties that could be hunted to control the township's deer population.

Residents raised safety issues about the hunt and presented a citizen petition at the recent Lower Makefield Township Supervisors meeting, Township Manager David Kratzer said.

He said the board ultimately removed the township-owned property from the list of properties that will be hunted by the Big Oak Whitetail Management Association.

Since 2009, the township has contracted with BOWMA to conduct structured, archery hunts consistent with the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania on township-owned properties to responsibly manage the township's deer population, Kratzer said.

The hunts are open to BOWMA members only and not open to the general public. Click here to learn more about BOWMA.

All BOWMA members must be a minimum of 21 years of age, pass a proficiency test, a bow hunting class administered by the Pennsylvania Game Commission (Game Commission), undergo background checks, carry identification, and are insured.

Kratzer said that each of the properties on which hunting is scheduled to occur has been posted and notice has been mailed to surrounding property owners.

Archery hunting takes place between dawn and dusk Monday through Saturday. There are no hunting dates for Sunday except on Nov. 12 and 19.

It started on Sept. 16 and goes to Nov. 24. Then, there's another hunting span from Dec. 26 to Jan. 27, 2024.

Those dates are consistent with the 2023-24 Deer (Archery) hunting season as established by the Game Commission, Kratzer said.

The hunting is approved for the following township properties:

• Buck Creek (Wilshire & Ruddy Tracts)
• Ellen Tract
• Faytol Tract
• Lower Makefield Municipal Building (wooded area)
• Makefield Highlands Golf Course (wooded area)—will not disrupt normal golf course operations
• Memorial Park (wooded area)—will not impact access to the park
• Patterson Farm
• Snipes Tract
• Taylorsville Tract/Park & Ride—will not disrupt use of the Park and Ride

Archery hunting will occur on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday only with no hunting on Thanksgiving on the following property:

• Five Mile Woods (The park is closed during scheduled hunting times but remains open on Sundays, Mondays, Fridays, and Saturdays.