Public Pressure Must Be Placed
On Valley Forge National Historic Park
To Use Contraception (Not Killing) For Deer.
For many years, Valley Forge National Historic Park (VFNHP) assured the public, "The deer are not interfering with the mission of the park." Now their chief planner has made the startling announcement that they will have to "manage" their deer herd.

VFNHP May Be Using The Expression
“Manage Deer” To Mean “Kill Deer”.
Even more stunning is the fact that a proposal for a fully -funded deer contraception program sponsored by the Humane Society of the United States, major universities, and private foundations was turned down by VFNHP management in 2002.  In rejecting the proposal the park superintendent stated at that time, "We don't care how many deer there are, we don't see the deer as a management problem."
Pro-hunting forces have been pressuring VFNHP for years to let them use bow hunting to slaughter the thousand or more tame deer that are part of the charm of the park.  Two different local pro-hunting groups have also threatened VFNHP with lawsuits. It should be noted that Gettysburg National Military Park (GNMP) has used USDA sharpshooters to kill deer since 1996 despite widespread public protest and two lawsuits. After a decade of killing deer, GNMP now states that they are “not yet at the recommended deer density goal.”

This Is A National Wildlife Issue That Affects All U.S. Citizens!
Deer contraception has continued to improve dramatically over the years and is being used effectively in other national parks. An effective, safe one-shot contraceptive dart is available. There is no scientific, legal or financial impediment to using it in VFNHP at NO COST TO THE TAXPAYER.

VFNHP needs to hear from you and the pro-animal community.
You can send a message to VFNHP by clicking here. On the questionnaire your response needs to be placed in the first question only - What aspects of the concepts do you feel best meet the park's mission to preserve cultural and natural resources and why? Feel free to ignore the remaining questions as they do not relate to wildlife issues.

Indicate in your answer that you do not want any form of deer management. BUT if there must be a deer management plan then it should involve ONLY NONLETHAL METHODS, i.e., exclosures, fencing, repellents, other landscape techniques, and most importantly - deer contraception.

Some other comments that you might want to add to your response:

  • You do not want to see your tax dollars go for lethal deer management.
  • You will not spend your tourist dollars in the Valley Forge area if lethal deer management techniques (i.e. hunting or sharp shooting) are used .
  • You have been to Valley Forge and enjoyed the deer, you do not want to see them killed. If there is a kill, neither you nor your family will return.
  • Sharpshooting and culling is inhumane and not necessary when sophisticated biotechnology such as fertility control exists for deer.
  • Birth control has been proven safe and effective in other locales why can't it be used in Valley Forge?
  • Contraception has been successfully used in other National Parks - for example, for deer on Fire Island and for wild horses on Assateague Island.

Please send letters or call the following people. Do not send email, it is usually ignored by legislators.

Senator Arlen Specter
600 Arch Street, Suite 9400
Philadelphia, PA  19106
Phone: 215-597-7200
Fax: 215-597-0406

Senator Richard J. “Rick” Santorum
1 South Penn Square
Widener Building, Suite 960
Philadelphia, PA  19107
Phone: 215-864-6900
Fax: 215-864-6910

Representative W. Curtis “Curt” Weldon
63 West Fourth Street
Bridgeport, PA  19405
Phone: 610-270-1486
Fax: 610-270-1498

State Senator Constance H. “Connie” Williams
700 South Henderson Road, Suite 100A
King of Prussia, PA  19406
Phone: 610-992-9790
Fax: 610-768-3104

State Representative Daylin leach
601South Henderson Road, Suite 208
King of Prussia, PA  19406
Phone: 610-768-4200
Fax: 610-768-4204

State Representative Carole A. Rubley
500 Chesterbrook Boulevard E-21
Chesterbrook, PA  19087-5603
Phone: 610-640-2356
Fax: 610-640-2357

Mr. Michael Caldwell
Superintendant
Valley Forge National Historic Park
PO Box 953
Rte 23 and N. Gulph Rd.
Valley Forge, PA 19482
610-783-1000

Thank you for taking the time to protect the deer of Valley Forge National Historic Park.