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Oppose Killing Deer and Support Non-Lethal Deer Management in Arlington, Virginia

Killing Deer is Not Science - It's Horrific Violence!

By Jeannette Louise Smith
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How humans choose to use scientific facts dictates our ethics, logic, and how we structure a peaceful society. Science values life and strives to improve it, not destroy it. Guns terminate biological life. Killing is driven by threat, survival, conflict, and malice. The decision to end life is a primal response, an act of aggression, and an exercise of domination and control, not scientific inquiry. Killing deer in Arlington, Virginia is a deliberate, savage act of violence. The Arlington County Government’s FY2026 adopted budget allocated $151,000 to the Arlington, Virginia Deer Kill Program. The FY2027 adopted budget allocated $76,000 to kill deer. $151,000 + $76,000 = $227,000. This money could and should have been used for a non-lethal deer fertility control program. The Arlington County Government fosters the preservation of human rights and protection of human life from violence. Killing deer to protect the environment is contradictory to Arlington County's proclamation...
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Now is the Time to Revolutionize Local Wildlife Laws

By Jeannette Louise Smith
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  We the People © Jeannette Louise Smith The manner in which civic leaders manage their significant influence demonstrates their authentic character. Rather than being consumed by the authority that accompanies their role, the high-level position of public officials mandates empathy, integrity, and collaboration to establish clearcut, action-oriented vision. Violence is a momentous concern in American communities. Local authorities, structured groups, and individuals prioritize non-violence. Incorporating and cultivating equitable dialogue into political processes mitigates violence. The majority of American voters, upwards of 80%, prioritize animal welfare, wildlife, and the environment. Companion animals and wildlife have intrinsic value. Animals are sentient, intelligent beings that have the right to exist, possess worth in their own right  as living creatures with a life of their own, independent of any utility, and economic value. Above and beyond the priceless human-comp...
Location: Arlington, Virginia Arlington County, Arlington, VA, USA
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2026 Arlington, Virginia Deer Crime Report

By Jeannette Louise Smith
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  Spooky Deer  © louceph During the February 2 through March 20, 2026 deer kill, 12 deer were harvested from the Potomac Corridor and 14 from the Four Mile Run corridor for a total harvest of 26 deer. The 12-night sharpshooting operation FAILED as a result of ignoring science-based, non-lethal deer-environment strategies and poor planning by the Natural Resources Division in their rush to organize the entire deer killing operation in late 2025 and execute Arlington deer in early 2026. Operations were carried out in seven parks along two wildlife corridors: Four Mile Run Wildlife Corridor: Glencarlyn, Bon Air, Upton Hill (NOVA Parks), and Barcroft Potomac Wildlife Corridor: Fort C.F. Smith, Potomac Overlook (NOVA Parks), and Pimmit Run For an in-depth analysis of Arlington, Virginia’s wasted money and time on killing deer, read: Budgets, Bullets, and Deer: Arlington’s Misplaced Priorities Deer have intrinsic value. These intelligent beings have the right to exist and play...
Location: Arlington, Virginia Arlington County, Arlington, VA, USA
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My Deer Haiku: April 17, 2026 International Haiku Day

By Jeannette Louise Smith
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  © Minh-Chau Pham | Arlington, Virginia April 17, 2026 is International Haiku Day. My haiku fusion was inspired by the article, Animal Creativity and International Haiku Poetry Day by Candice Gaukel Andrews, a multiple award-winning author and writer specializing in nature-travel topics and environmental issues. This photo was taken by Arlington, Virginia resident, Minh-Chau Pham. Deer and other wildlife like foxes frequent her backyard all year to find peace and tranquility.  May deer everywhere continue to thrive in our gardens, parks, forests, and in our hearts. Peace to all animals, Jeannette Louise Smith Sign, comment, and share our petition  STOP THE ARLINGTON DEER KILL NOW!
Location: Arlington, Virginia Arlington County, Arlington, VA, USA
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Budgets, Bullets, and Deer: Arlington’s Misplaced Priorities

By Jeannette Louise Smith
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  © Bill Draper Photography | Big Meadows, Shenandoah National Park | 2026 It’s tax season. I wonder if it’s merely a coincidence that tax season coincides with the beginning of Spring. Spring’s remarkable cycle of beauty and Nature’s renewal and filing state and federal tax returns are incongruous. While Spring inspires hope and a return to outdoor activity and sunshine, taxpayers hope for a monetary return and dread owing the government. Concurrently, Arlington, Virginia County Manager, Mark Schwartz, is preparing the FY 2027 budget. The outlook is grim. The proposed $1.69 billion Slash and Burn Budget includes, but is not limited to, a tax increase for residents, the possibility of Arlington County employee furloughs or staff elimination, and - as always! - cuts to important community programs. Arlington, Virginia libraries always suffer. Our eight libraries are crucial centers of literacy, learning, and building community. The Arlington County Government proposes to close the...
Location: Arlington, Virginia Arlington County, Arlington, VA, USA
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