Deer hunting approved for several Annandale-area parks
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Signs like this one, in Holmes Run Stream Valley, are posted in parks approved for deer hunting. |
Fairfax County’s annual archery program to cull the deer population starts Sept. 12 and runs through Feb. 20, 2021.
Bow hunters who meet certain qualifications are allowed to shoot deer from temporary deer stands installed in trees in designated parks.
Parks remain open during deer season, but visitors are urged to stay on the trails. Deer hunters must park in designated areas and display a parking pass on their windshield. Hunting is prohibited on Sundays.
The 2020-21 deer season includes parks in 19 clusters throughout Fairfax County, including these parks in the Annandale/Mason District area:
- Accotink Stream Valley cluster – Accotink Stream Valley Park (656 acres), Eakin Park, Mantua section (72), Sally Ormsby Park (40), Eakin Community Park (33), Brookfield Park (19), Carleigh Parkway (10), and Hunter Village Park (20).
- Holmes Run cluster – Holmes Run Stream Valley, except for Luria Park (80 acres), Lillian Carey Park (54), Mason District Park (80), Roundtree Park (61), Deerlick Park (19), and Lee District Park (76).
- Lake Accotink cluster – Lake Accotink (407 acres), Wakefield Park (161), Americana Park (4), and Long Branch Stream Valley (90).
The Fairfax County Police Department also conducts nighttime sharpshooting events in parks to trim the deer population.
Six parks have been approved in the county for sharpshooting in 2020-21, including Annandale Community Park, Bren Mar Park/Turkeycock Run Stream Valley, and Green Spring Gardens.
The county doesn’t publicly release the dates of these events but is expected to notify nearby residents in advance. Venison from deer killed during these events is donated to Hunters for the Hungry.
During the 2019-20 deer season, 37 deer were killed by archers in the Accotink Stream Valley cluster and 30 in the Lake Accotink cluster. Sharpshooters killed eight deer in Annandale Community Park, nine in Bren Mar Park/Turkeycock Run Stream Valley, and 10 in Green Spring Gardens.
County wildlife officials say the deer population expanded beyond healthy limits and needs to be cut back to reduce deer-vehicle collisions, halt the spread of Lyme disease, and prevent environmental damage to forests.
Questions or concerns about the deer management program should be addressed to Katherine Edwards, wildlife management specialist, 703-246-6868, [email protected] , or Sgt. Earit Powell, animal protection police, 703-324-0280 , [email protected].
Yes. And now they can torture them and don't have to worry about being prosecuted. Aren't we lucky to live in such a "forward" thinking county.
Next week on "Annandale blog":
"A woman shot while walking in the park from a stray arrow"
as a wise man once said: No good deed goes unpunished
(eye roll) They've been doing this for years, and we have yet to see that headline.
If you've ever shot a bow or a deer for that matter, you'd understand how hard it is to shoot someone by accident. They'd have to be camouflaged, scent hidden and right next to the deer.
Does this mean that the trails in our parks are unsafe for bikers and walkers?
No
I don't mind the hunting but there seem to be very few deer left locally and the hunters violate the rules quite often. I have seen hunting on Sundays and hunters dragging dead deer on top of tarps along the trail for everyone to see – both of these violate the rules. We live against the trail and the deer stand was right up against our property line – also a violation since they have to be a certain distance from private property (or non-parkland). But if you report any of these infractions you get the same response as if you are reporting a home with too many people living in it, out of state plates refusing to register and pay state taxes, or a house building an accessory dwelling without permission– which is ZERO enforcement or consequences.
I DO mind the hunting and the killing. It is barbaric. These signs traumatize children and adults alike.You are normalizing cruelty. Shame on you and your lack of appreciation of the beauty and value of these peaceful creatures. End this ugly violence.
Hunting provides many benefits and it’s an important part of our heritage. It isn’t cruel, it’s about responsible management of wildlife and sustainable remains. Your oversimplified views do not reflect the reality of the situation. Ignorant.