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Deer‑management contract discussion paused after January hunting incident; commissioners request investigation and safety plan
Summary
The committee deferred a vote on the 2026–27 Cheltenham Deer Management contract after staff and the Pennsylvania Game Commission reviewed a January hunting‑related shooting. Commissioners asked the contractor to provide tightened hunter screening and spot‑check procedures and asked the game commission for its investigation report before the committee takes final action.
The Cheltenham Public Works Committee on Wednesday considered the township’s annual contract with Cheltenham Deer Management for the 2026–27 season but voted to table the recommendation until the next meeting so the committee can review a game commission investigative report and a written safety plan from the contractor.
Chris (Cheltenham Deer Management) and Brier McGee, the regional Pennsylvania Game Commission officer, told the committee the incident in January was subject to a PGC investigation. ‘‘That individual was fined and lost their hunting privileges for two years, I believe,’’ Chris said, and Brier McGee confirmed that summary.
Several commissioners said they support the deer‑management program for public‑safety and vehicle‑collision reduction reasons but requested more information about what went wrong and what operational changes the contractor will implement. Commissioner Stein said he was ‘‘not comfortable voting on anything till we see that plan’’ and asked that the contractor submit its tightened hunter‑qualification, spot‑check and enforcement procedures. Commissioner Lewis and other members asked staff and the game commission to provide the investigative report and to describe whether any individuals involved remain on the contractor team.
Staff said they had removed Green Valley and Coventry Park from the proposed hunt list for the coming season because of safety‑zone questions related to nearby residences and school fields; Brier McGee said some locations proved to be ‘‘a little bit tighter than others’’ under the legal definition of safe shooting zones.
The committee made a motion to table the contract recommendation until the next Public Works meeting to allow time for the contractor to provide its safety procedures and for the game commission to provide its report; the motion passed by voice vote.
