If you are a U.S. Taxpayer, this Park belongs to YOU!

Valley Forge National Historical Park wants to kill 1,000 tame deer in the next 4 years because they claim the deer are too numerous (we strongly disagree!) and are destroying some wooded plots ("forests") in the Park. They also hope that decimating the  herd will help prevent Chronic Wasting Disease, a deadly illness to deer.  They plan to spend millions of your tax dollars to shoot the deer over a period of time to  protect the forest when it is unnecessary since PNC, Inc, has offered to  install deer fencing free of charge.  Fencing would immediately protect the forest, be more effective than killing deer and would cost the public nothing.  Killing a large number of deer quickly reduces the gene pool and  leaves a vacuum inviting perhaps diseased deer to move in--not a good strategy, if one is concerned with disease.  If it were really necessary to reduce the deer herd, PNC included in its offer to fund the contraception of 1,000  deer with PZP, a thoroughly tested and effective immunocontraceptive.  As of the end of September, the Park has blatantly disregarded PNC's offer, which includes a scientifically proven alternative. 

The deer are habituated to humans and easily approach people, even when accompanied by their dogs.  These tame creatures have become loved by many who visit the Park and have become of themselves, a major attraction.  Please see that these gentle and trusting animals are not heartlessly slaughtered when non lethal control methods have been generously offered at no expense to the taxpayers. 

The actions of the Park Service show nothing but utter contempt for the taxpayers, the scientific community and the deer.  Please  speak out to your elected and appointed officials.

Thank-you!