Oakmont council approves one‑year deer‑management contract with Suburban Wildlife Management

Oakmont Borough Council voted 6–1 on Aug. 4 to enter a one‑year agreement with Suburban Wildlife Management to organize an archery‑first deer management program and, contingent on state permits, a sharpshooting phase. The motion was moved and seconded at the meeting and approved in a roll‑call vote recorded by the clerk.

The vendor presented a two‑phase approach: an initial archery program to qualify local hunters and a later sharpshooting phase conducted by certified sharpshooters if the Pennsylvania Game Commission issues required permits. Jason Bernetti, a co‑founder of Suburban Wildlife Management, told council, “We started the company in 2015” and described prior work in Mount Lebanon and Whitehall. He added the firm vets applicants with criminal‑history checks, proficiency testing and provides identification and vehicle lists to coordinate with police. Bernetti also said the firm “removed almost 4,000 deer from the South Hills” and that the vendor had not recorded safety incidents in those communities.

Council discussion before the vote focused on public notification, enforcement, and budget tradeoffs. One dissenting member said she was concerned about low survey response rates and the lack of broader public input; other members cited regional reports on ecological damage and vehicle collisions to argue for action. The contract passed with six members in favor and one opposed; council directed staff to follow up on permit submissions and public communications.