Rittenhouse Square deer hunt postponed

Some residents are avoiding the park because of the large number of deer.

Animal rights activists cheered loudly yesterday on the northeast corner of Rittenhouse Square. Echoing from the group of two hundred or so protesters were cheers of, "Get up off that little couch and let the deer in Rittenhouse."

The city and Fairmount Park have decided to postpone the scheduled February 23rd deer hunt, in one of the city's most popular parks, for at least six months.

The deer have been wreaking havoc on the park's vegetation for years, eating the bark and leaves off countless trees. The animals also present challenges for farmers markets and disturb picnickers. For these reasons, park and city officials seek to reduce, by half, the 624 deer of the two square block park.

"This is a huge victory for us," said Stacy Corbin, president of Dear Deer, a watch group for the park's deer. "This postponement can only mean that a full cancellation is just over the horizon."

Some residents have had enough of the deer and are willing to finally support a controlled hunt.

"Enough is enough," said Jon Mondesi, 44, of Rittenhouse. "The deer are always looking to start trouble. If I must cut through the park, I keep my head down and sprint, ignoring their comments. They're horrible."

Talk of the hunt began after last spring's Rittenhouse Square Arts Festival debacle, in which many deer ate paintings, knocked over tents and smashed sculptures. Forty-four deer were later arrested and charged.