Deer Management Program Starts Saturday In Fairfax County

Herndon VA

07 September, 2021

11:07 AM

Description

FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA — Fairfax County is kicking of its Deer Management Archer Program Saturday in an effort to control and reduce the county's white-tailed deer program, according to a release. The archery season runs through Feb. 19, 2022. The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors first approved the annual program in 2000. The first archery hunt began in Fiscal Year 2010 as a way to minimize the impact on residents due to an overabundance of deer. Impacts include deer-vehicle collisions and the potential for the spreading of disease. Fairfax County Police Department monitors the archery program in collaboration with Fairfax County Park Authority, NOVA Parks, and other public landholders. The program will take place at parks and other locations throughout the county. The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources considers deer management archer program as a safe and efficient way to control the deer population in urban and suburban areas. Ever since the state began tracking hunting injuries in 1959, no bystanders have been injured by an archer in Virginia. In order to take part in the county's archery program, participants must meet all program standards, as well the hunter licensing, education and safety standards required by the state. This includes being able to demonstrate archery skills and marksmanship. Participants must also carry program identification and complete training in the International Bowhunter Education Program. Participants will also be subject to a criminal background check and screening by FCPD. During the archery program, parks will remain open and florescent orange signs will be posted to alert the public that authorized hunting is taking place. Hunters will only be allowed to take shots at deer from elevated tree stands and hunting at ground-level is prohibited. Hunters will be able to hunt at assigned sites from Monday through Saturday throughout the season. Legal hunting hours are from 30 minutes before sunrise until 30 minutes after sunset. More information about the Fairfax County Deer Management Program is available online.