Residents voice their concerns about nursery’s plans to cull deer

Peters council has waived the township’s right to appeal a decision by the Pennsylvania Game Commission to allow a deer cull at McMurray Nursery, located near Elm Grove Park.

Council’s vote was 5-1, with members Frank Kosir Jr., David Ball, James Berquist, Monica Merrell and Gary Stiegel Jr. voting in favor of the motion. Frank Arcuri voted no, and Robert Lewis was absent.

Paul Hauber, owner of McMurray Nursery, a landscaping and lighting design company on Thompsonville Road, said at the Aug. 12 meeting his business has been “getting crushed by deer” this year, causing nearly $100,000 in damage to the trees and plants at his business.

“Every deciduous tree in the nursery is just laid to waste,” Mr. Hauber said of the damage the deer have caused.

Mr. Hauber said he first called the state Department of Agriculture, which referred him to the Game Commission.

He said a Game Commission representative came to the nursery and determined the damage was from deer. The representative told Mr, Hauber he had permission to cull the deer on his property.

“This is a deal between the state and any agricultural business. Period,” Mr. Hauber said.

He said he attended the meeting at the request of the Game Commission, which sent him a letter asking him to inform the township of his intent to cull the deer on his property.

“Is it my intention to hunt? No. It’s getting rid of the deer,” Mr. Hauber said. “I’ve never hunted a day in my life, nor is this hunting. It’s just to cull the deer population.”

Mr. Hauber said the process of culling deer is regulated by the state, and all of the culling will be done by his employees, many of whom have several years of hunting experience.

He added that low-velocity rifles will be used. Mr. Hauber is then responsible for harvesting and processing the deer. He said that his employees will keep the venison that is harvested.

Sheila Sten, who lives on nearby Ammonds Drive, said she was concerned about the deer cull.

“This is a residential neighborhood. There’s concern about having a rifle and shooting,” she said.

Peters Manager Paul Lauer said that it is state law to allow owners of agricultural land to cull deer.

“It surprised me, but what’s been described here is exactly what the state of the law is,” Mr. Lauer said. “This is a program that’s out there for agricultural uses,” he said.

“I just think it’s important the neighbors know this is occurring,” he added.

The dates of the deer culls were not disclosed, but Mr. Hauber said they likely will happen in the early morning hours — about 5 a.m. — and last for about 15 minutes, because the deer will begin to scatter after that amount of time.