Shotgun deer hunt set for Dec. 2 at Tyler State Park

NEWTOWN, Pa. -- Tyler State Park in eastern Pennsylvania will be closed to the public on Dec. 2 so hunters can thin its deer herd.

Up to 150 hunters will be allowed in the 1,711-acre park in Newtown and Northampton townships in Bucks County. The park is about 25 miles northeast of Philadelphia.

Hunters may take antlered and antlerless deer using manual, semi-automatic or muzzleloader shotguns with "00" buckshot.

Hunters are selected by a lottery and must attend an information and safety session run by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the Pennsylvania Game Commission.

The hunt has drawn protests in the past and likely will again from people who say the park should use non-lethal methods to thin the herd. Park manager Brian Flores says the hunt is the most practical and effective method.