A Mahoning Township farmer has asked officials what can be done to stop an excess of deer from destroying his crops.

Ryan Hoffman, who has a farm on Strauss Valley Road, told supervisors at Wednesday’s meeting that he’s out chasing deer away at all hours.

“Our problem is deer from the next valley (Owl Creek),” Hoffman said. “What are farmers supposed to do?”

Hoffman said he wanted to describe to the board the problems he’s been running into.

“What are we supposed to do to try to make a living,” he asked. “I’d like to grow other crops.”

A handful of residents said they were in attendance because they heard there were going to be residents in attendance at the meeting who have circulated a petition against them for shooting deer.

One of the residents from the group said they’re allowed to shoot the deer for crop damage, and added it’s all legal.

However, township solicitor Tom Nanovic told the group that the township hasn’t received a petition.

Supervisors said they also hadn’t received any petition with regard to the matter.