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

My Battle to Save Deer From Slaughter in Arlington

By Jeannette Louise Smith
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Buck in Backyard by Liz Kirby In all of my endeavors, I dedicate myself with undying commitment and zeal. My journey to save deer in Arlington, Virginia is my most intense, enormous, and passionate experience ever. Since November 2024, I’ve unwaveringly devoted myself to advocating against the Arlington County Government and stop the cruel, senseless, and unnecessary sharpshooting of deer in our local parks. I’ve experienced a whirlwind of positive and negative mental states: enthusiasm, optimism, confidence, high and low energy, creativity, determination, disappointment, frustration, fear, guilt, sadness, depression, anger, and pain. At one point, compassion fatigue crushed me, but I prevailed and kept my mission alive to protect the lives of deer. Having followed local and national social media, it’s upsetting and glaringly apparent that many Arlington, Virginia citizens (and people across the United States) are uneducated, misinformed, and buy into government propaganda that ...
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SAVE ARLINGTON DEER Event: Monday January 26, 2026 at 6pm

By Jeannette Louise Smith
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  Join No Killing Deer in Arlington at 6pm on January 26, 2026 for the Open Door Monday event and speak one-on-one with Arlington County Board Vice Chair, Maureen Coffey. Be the voice for Arlington deer and oppose the upcoming sharpshooting of deer in February 2026. The meeting will be held virtually because of snow. RSVP here and you will receive a link to join the virtual meeting: https://www.arlingtonva.us/Government/Departments/County-Board/Open-Door-Mondays/Open-Door-Monday-RSVP Please Sign and Share Our Petition: https://www.change.org/StopTheArlingtonDeerKillNow View our YouTubeVideo Peaceful Coexistence with Deer in Arlington: https://youtu.be/EMP1il8Xa5Q CLICK HERE TO RSVP ON FACEBOOK EVENT PAGE and direct any questions to: Jeannette Louise Smith, Founder of No Killing Deer in Arlington:  nokillingdeerinarlington@gmail.com
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Arlington Hires Killers to Slaughter Deer in Early 2026

By Jeannette Louise Smith
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  © Bill Draper Photography | Canaan Valley Arlington, Virginia has chosen violence, guns, and bloodshed over science. Arlington County Board members, Takis P. Karantonis, Matt de Ferranti, Maureen Coffey, Susan Cunningham, and JD Spain Sr., have ignored demands from Arlington residents to stop the acquisition of sharpshooters for the purpose of systematically slaughtering deer in Arlington Parks. After the 23% decline in deer population, from 290 deer in 2021 to 222 deer in 2025, the Arlington Deer Management Staff, Mr. John Marlin and Mr. Alonso Abugattas did not reconsider and revaluate the cost and effectiveness of a humane, science-based, effective, non-lethal solution to peacefully coexist with Arlington deer. Arlington citizens were denied the opportunity to provide public input and voice their concerns about establishing a successful, non-violent plan that would preserve and protect the substantial decline in deer population. The Arlington County Government has awarded a sh...
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Wildlife Deserves Better: Fatally Flawed National Gold Medal Award

By Jeannette Louise Smith
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© Bill Draper | Highland County, Virginia 2021 Our most important collective asset is Nature. With increased population and urban sprawl, it is imperative that we preserve and protect the natural world which includes the habitat of the many sentient animals that live in our oceans and on land. HARMONY IN NATURE is the state of balance and mutual support among all the elements within an ecosystem. Our ecosystems of plants, animals, microorganisms, and elements such as air, water, sunlight, and soil are complex, interconnected, and contribute to the well-being of the whole. HARMONY WITH NATURE  is how we humans behave and emphasize respect, balance, and interconnectedness in our relationship with Nature. Humans are part of the ecological system. We must live in balance with Nature through peaceful coexistence, not dominate and control Nature. Parks promote our physical and mental wellbeing and enhance the quality of our lives and communities. Our ability to easily access gr...
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Peaceful Coexistence Is the Path to Strength and Harmony

By Jeannette Louise Smith
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  © Jeannette Louise Smith   As a young girl, I developed a love for all animals. My parents always encouraged my appreciation, tenderness, and responsibility for animals. They supported learning about the many species that grace our earth. I still watch nature and animal-related documentaries to improve my knowledge. However, as a child, I clearly remember covering my eyes in fear, not comprehending  scenes that depicted natural predation and the brutality that exists in nature. As an adult, I accept and understand the duality of Nature’s brutality and beauty. What is unnatural and unacceptable are the numerous ways humans control animals, inflict horrific and senseless cruelty, exploit, kill, and destroy habitats. An enormous diversity of people worldwide oppose violence. I advocate for peace among people. Equally, I oppose violence against animals and champion peaceful coexistence. I have been vocal about my opposition to sharpshooting deer in Arlington, Virginia ...
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