|
The Deer Management Program conducted contracted professional sharpshooting operations on 12 nights from February 2 through March 20.
Operations were carried out in seven parks along the Potomac and Four Mile Run wildlife corridors.
- Four Mile Run Corridor
- Glencarlyn
- Bon Air
- Upton Hill (NOVA Parks)
- Barcroft
- Potomac Corridor
- Fort C.F. Smith
- Potomac Overlook (NOVA Parks)
- Pimmit Run
|
Overall, 12 deer were harvested from the Potomac Corridor and 14 from the Four Mile Run corridor for a total harvest of 26 deer. All deer were tested and processed, and more than 1,500 pounds of venison were donated to the Arlington Food Assistance Center.
While this first operation likely did not reduce the deer population density in our wildlife corridors to the recommended level of 15-20 per square mile, it did significantly reduce the number of deer over-browsing the landscape and reduced their ability to further contribute to population growth.
Operations also provided insight into what strategies, locations, and weather conditions are viable while highlighting opportunities for improvement. Weather conditions, such as February’s snowstorm and subsequent freezing temperatures, significantly reduced deer activity, while strategies, such as using bait to attract deer, proved less effective than anticipated.
Program staff are incorporating lessons learned and considering adjustments to factors such as sharpshooting locations, operating hours, and the weather conditions in which they operate to improve outcomes in future operations.
|
Learn more about the Arlington’s Deer Management Program.
|
|
|
|
