Never doubt that  a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has. - Margaret Mead (See below what else you can do to let your voice be heard today).
          TO GET INVOLVED OR LEARN HOW YOU CAN HELP, EMAIL:
                                    safeoptions4all@gmail.com

PLEASE READ THE PETITION. SELECT "VIEW WHOLE PETITION" OR SCROLL DOWN. Please add YOUR COMMENTS to this petition and
then TAKE THE NEXT STEP BELOW-IT WILL ONLY TAKE A MOMENT. JOIN US IN SAVING LIVES - We can't do it without YOU!
THEY MUST HEAR OUR VOICES. Email your comments today to:

John Quigley, Secretary of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) email: jquigley@state.pa.us
Phone: (717) 772-9084

John Norbeck, Director of Bureau of State Park
email:  jnorbeck@state.pa.us
Phone: (717) 787-6640

Bob Barth, chief, Bureau of State Parks
email: rbarth@state.pa.us   
Phone: (717) 787-6674    

cc: Mike Crowley, Park Manager, email: microwley@state.pa.us
Phone: (215) 968-2021  
          
Barbara Davey, Regional Dir. of State Parks:   bdavey@state.pa.us      Ken Lewis, Asst. Regional Dir. of State Parks:  
kelewis@state.pa.us                    Phone: 215.453-5000

The Game Commission has mismanaged the wildlife at our state park. They hold annual hunts to manage the deer population which exacerbates the problem. The Park now admits the hunt has created more of a problem and their only solution is more killing. We have a grant to explore non-lethal options. Demand they stop killing now and look at long-term effective solutions and not MORE killing. As stewards of the environment, we can learn to co-exist peacefully with our wildlife.
STOP this senseless slaughter.

It IS NOT AN EFFECTIVE MANAGEMENT RESOURCE. In fact, countless studies have shown that deer hunting actually boosts the reproductive rates in deer populations. Deer who live under non-hunting conditions, for example, typically produce one offspring, while deer who are hunted are far more likely to bear twins and triplets. 

We request humane alternatives and non-lethal solutions. Stop the killing and slaughter that permeates our park. You had the first 21 years. Now give us the next 21 years to establish non-lethal solutions. There is no
evidence to justify this hunt.

We invite you to review the extensive literature on humane wildlife management and now call upon the Game Commission, Bureau of State Parks and Governor of Pennsylvania to use these resources safely, effectively, and humanely.

Thank you for being a leader! When you sign and create petitions, you actively participate in shaping the world in which we live. Thank you for staying informed and engaged. You're making a difference. Be the change.

Let Governor Edward Rendell know how you feel.                                       Request a moratorium on the hunt now and to use humane alternatives to preserve our park at:
email: governor@state.pa.us
Phone:(717)787-2500/(717)787-5825 Fax:(717)772-8284 

3. Join the Coalition Against the Hunt at Tyler State Park
Sign the online Petition and share the link with others-lives depend on it:
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/stop-the-hunt-at-tyler-state-park
Join us or for more information, email: safeoptions4all@gmail.com

PUBLIC AWARENESS:

Plant responsibly. Ask about deer resistant plants.

Be a responsible driver. Slow down during dusk and before dawn.

Email for more literature. Go GREEN and learn how you can co-exist peacefully with our environment and wildlife.

TO: Elected Bucks County Representatives and
Bureau of State Parks

We the undersigned are writing to express our grave concerns and opposition to the proposed archery and any other means of deer hunt in Tyler State Park in Newtown, PA

We are requesting your assistance concerning the planned introduction of a four-month archery hunting of deer in Tyler State Park in the Richboro-Newtown area of Bucks County, scheduled to start on September 19, 2009. We are recreational users of the Park and use the Park frequently.  To date, archery deer hunting has never been allowed in the Park, so this planned introduction of archery hunting is a significant change in past practice.

The Park announced a public meeting to discuss this change in past practice on August 13, 2009.  Only ONE-DAY advance notice was given, because the meeting was to be held on August 14, 2009.  At this meeting, attendees were given a handout entitled, 2009 ARCHERY DEER HUNT PROPOSAL TYLER STATE PARK, with a map of the park and the archery hunting area.   A second meeting was scheduled for 10 a.m. on Saturday, August 22, 2009 and another meeting in the evening.  Over one hundred residents attended this meeting, and the majority were opposed to the proposed archery hunt, as reported by the Bucks County Courier Times.

Although the State's handout has the word proposal in the title, the web site for Tyler State Park states, Hunting will be allowed during regular archery season for deer, as established by the Pennsylvania Game Commission, to help reduce the park, deer population and keep it in balance with the unique ecosystem of the park.  We do not believe this change should occur without the requisite notice and comment period so that other concerned citizens can voice their objections.  Why is the Park allowed to ram this change through at such short notice, given the stiff public opposition?

Tyler State Park including the proposed area designated for archery hunting is used by thousands of people each year for hiking, bicycling, dog walking, running, and horse riding.  Some of the horses that will be in the area of the Park are certified Search and Rescue horses.  As you may know, it is unlawful to harass these certified horses, and we are concerned that the proposed hunting activity will in fact harass them.  Several coaches of local high school cross-country running teams use the Park for training, and have decided NOT to use the Park if the proposed hunt occurs. There are also private residences in the park and many private residences surrounding the park.  There is a youth hostel that adjoins the proposed hunting area.  The proposed hunting area also adjoins a historic covered bridge and several horse operations as well as a community college.

We feel strongly that allowing archery hunting for the proposed season of September 19, 2009 to January 23, 2010 represents a severe public safety threat and misuse of a highly utilized Pennsylvania public park in a densely populated suburban area, and that more suitable alternatives managing the deer population should be sought.  Using roving bands of amateur bowhunters to control the deer while the Park is open for lawful recreational use is simply unacceptable. We fear this proposed hunt will have a huge chilling effect on other peaceful, lawful recreational uses in the Park, and will elevate deer-hunting over and above all other uses for the proposed four-month period.  Hundreds if not thousands of users will suffer from this chilling effect and will avoid the Park during the planned bowhunt. Since bowhunters miss their intended target up to 50% of the time, they cause significant suffering to the deer, who may take days, weeks, or even months to die a slow, lingering death.  Additionally, lost arrows from the hunters missed shots remain in the ecosystem for a long period and are a hazard to children, adults and animals who come in contact with them, to say nothing of the severe damage or death that could occur by being hit by a stray arrow in flight.

Please assist us in any way possible to stop the proposed archery hunting in Tyler State Park. 

Thank you for taking the time to read our letter.