No Deer Culling in BMA Park

July 27, 2022

Dear BMA Members,

On July 21, 2022, the Baldwin Manor Association (BMA) board of directors revisited the issue of deer culling in Baldwin Manor Park. The BMA board revote resulted in 9:0 AGAINST deer culling/archery hunting in Baldwin Manor Park. Safety of park users was the most substantial basis of this decision.

The decision is based on the following information:

· Volunteer hunters being used by Suburban Wildlife Management, LLC will be hunting on a private license issued by the PA Game Commission. The hours and days are set by the PA Game Commission. Information obtained from the PA Game Commission states that archers can hunt for deer from dawn (one-half hour before sunrise) to dusk (one-half hour after sunset) starting on September 17, 2022 to November 25, 2022 then begins again on December 26, 2022 to January 28, 2023. These hunting hours coincide with park hours and therefore create a safety issue for anyone recreating in the park.

· Very little information can be found on Suburban Wildlife Management, LLC, which is the company responsible for certifying private hunters to carry out the deer hunt in Whitehall Borough (WHB).

· Email received from WHB Police Chief Gagorik, who is responsible for overseeing deer hunting on private and public property in WHB, stated that “most Borough neighborhood parks do not have enough wooded area to be considered for the archery program”. The BMA board finds this perspective to be applicable to Baldwin Manor Park as well – a private park within WHB.

· A licensed senior specialist from the park’s insurance carrier advised against the practice of deer culling in the park, stating that it does increase the chances of liability. She also said that any claims submitted against our policy related to the deer culling would likely be denied.

To date, Baldwin Manor Association has not been approached regarding permission to hunt within Baldwin Manor Park. WHB council was informed at the June 15, 2022 meeting of the original stance and vote of the BMA board of “NO” hunting within Baldwin Manor Park. Upon the advice of the Game Commission, BMA will post signs during the archery season dates advising the public of this position. The safety of the BMA members is the board’s primary concern and responsibility. The BMA board is hopeful that homeowners surrounding the park or in close proximity are mindful of hunting on private property that may create unsafe conditions within Baldwin Manor Park.

Sincerely,

The BMA Board