When stopping for deer feels as common as stopping for red lights, you know Chester County has a big problem. Deer put our roads, our health, and our environment at risk.
Before 2003, Pennsylvania counted how many deer lived in each area. Then the Pennsylvania Game Commission changed its plan. Now it looks at forest health and how often deer and people come into conflict. It also checks deer health and population trends (Pennsylvania Game Commission, 2019). But this strategy does not work. The deer population keeps growing and causing harm in our community.
In 2022, Chester County had the most Lyme disease cases in Pennsylvania. We made up 8.6% of all cases in the state (Chester County, n.d.). If Lyme disease is not treated, it can hurt the brain and heart (Fox 29, 2022). Too many deer make the spread of Lyme disease worse.
The danger doesn’t stop there. Pennsylvania is one of the top states for car crashes with deer. In 2023, state police reported 1,381 crashes (WESA, 2023). These accidents cost money and cause injuries. The risk is even higher in Chester County- where busy roads meat rural landscapes.
Deer also hurt the environment. They eat plants and stop new trees from growing. This makes forests weaker and less healthy.
The Pennsylvania Game Commission gives hunting licenses to control the deer population (Pennsylvania Game Commission, 2025). But in places like Chester County, this isn’t enough – we need better deer control. A community-wide deer control plan can include:
- Fencing projects to protect young trees
- Hunting in high-risk zones (such as near highways and schools)
- Deer population tracking by townships
- Public education about tick safety and deer management
Some people say hunting is unethical and suggest non-lethal ways to help. But letting the problem continue is worse. Stronger deer control is needed when Lyme disease and car crashes alike increase.
What can you do to help? Use the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s website or local township reporting systems to log deer crashes, sightings, or property damage. Check yourself after outdoor activities for tick bites. Email our local leaders and ask them to support better deer management. Together, we can protect Chester County’s people and nature.
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