Politics & Government

County Officials Organizing Archers to Hunt Deer in Parks

Meeting tonight to go over rules for deer management technique.

Fairfax County is taking applications for those who would like to assist with deer management by taking part in their archery program.

The county established the archery program last year as part of the Fairfax County Deer Management Program.  The archery program was developed with the recognition that archery is a safe, efficient, and sustainable deer management tool in urbanized regions such as Fairfax County, officials said.

Officials have said that the deer population in Fairfax County has increased markedly over the last few years.

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The archery program will take place from Oct. 12 to Feb. 12 in selected county parks. The selected parks will not be closed to park patrons during this time and signs will be posted on trails informing visitors of this deer management activity. All hunting will be conducted from elevated tree stands and located at least 100 feet from park property lines and 50 feet from trails. 

The county has not yet announced which parks will have the archery program.

Find out what's happening in Restonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Reston Association recently granted permission to a Reston homeowner to hire a private hunting company to reduce the deer population in his yard.

The archery program is conducted at selected park sites by a qualified archery group selected via archery hunt lotto. Qualified archery groups are comprised of ethical, experienced bow hunters.  The careful screening of each archery group, as well as overall monitoring and oversight of the archery program, is the responsibility of the Fairfax County Wildlife Biologist (Fairfax County Police Department – Animal Services Division).

To learn more about deer management activity in Fairfax County, the public is invited to attend any of the five Archery Program Public Information Meetings. The first meeting is Wednesday, 7 p.m., at the West Springfield Government Center, 6140 Rolling Road, Springfield.

For more information contact Victoria Monroe, Fairfax County Wildlife Biologist at 703-246-6868 or email victoria.monroe@fairfaxcounty.gov.

Visit the Fairfax County website for more information about local wildlife species and wildlife management.

 


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