Sep. 10—A Berks County park will begin welcoming hunters starting next weekend.

Beginning Sept. 18 and running through Jan. 29, bow hunting will be allowed at Antietam Lake Park for a group of hunters who have secured special licenses. Hunters were selected by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services through a closed application process.

Hunting of any kind is not typically allowed in the park.

But in April, the county commissioners approved a deer management program, based on recommendations in the Antietam Lake Natural Resource Stewardship Plan which was prepared in 2018.

According to a press release issued by the county, the goals of the program are:

— To reduce park land and forest property damage.

— Minimize the threat of disease.

— Reduce deer-related accidents.

— Balance the ecosystem.

The white-tailed deer is one of the most influential wildlife species in Pennsylvania's forested ecosystems, the press release stated. However, when their population is out of balance with their habitat, deer can negatively affect county forests by over-browsing tree seedlings, shrubs and wildflowers. Over-browsing alters the diversity and habitat for other forest mammals and birds, eliminates the shrub layer, greatly reduces the diversity of forest-floor plant species and creates a flooding risk.

Hunters were selected by Wildlife Services in a closed application process, were required to pass a proficiency test and attend an orientation that covered safety and hunting ethics. These approved hunters will carry a hunting permit for identification purposes and the necessary doe license.

Hunting is permitted to take place from 30 minutes before sunrise and continue until 30 minutes after sunset.

The press release stated the hunting is the first phase in the deer monitoring program. It will be followed by an inventory of the population and any future deer control programs will be determined based on that information.