Arlington Virginia Deer Kill Dollar Report

By Jeannette Louise Smith


Today, we received our requested FOIA through Arlington County to find out how much money is being spent on the Arlington Virginia Deer Cull.


The initial Arlington County Deer Drone Survey conducted in 2021 cost a total of $48,000.00 on Purchase Order #286681. It was paid in 3 installments:


1. March 17, 2021: $3,600.00 “White Tail Deer Survey - Original $48,000.00 PO#286681 Progress Payment (first one); mapping FAA authorization process, flight plan ($3,600)”


2. April 12, 2021: $20,600.00 was spent on the Spring Deer Density Study which included $6,200 for Daytime Reconnaissance and $14,400 for Data Collection 65 missions.


3. June 4, 2021: $23,800.00 was spent on the Spring Deer Density Study for “report rough draft and final versions submitted”


From March 17 to 21, 2025 Arlington County conducted a second Aerial Drone Survey to Measure Deer Population. Jerusalem Solomon, Communications and Engagement Manager Arlington County Department of Parks and Recreation, stated, “The final cost for the drone survey work was $34,642.”


In conclusion: Arlington County spent $82,642.00 on two Deer Drone Surveys. The Arlington County FY2026 Budget (Click here for Infograph: See Page 2 Bottom Right “Steward Natural Resources”) set aside $151,000.000 (and ongoing) for the Deer Sharpshooting Program.


We requested a breakdown of $151,000.000, but were informed “the portions of the records you have requested relating to working papers of the County Manager (Mark Schwartz) are exempt from disclosure under Virginia Code Section 2.2-3705.7(2). One record is being withheld in full pursuant to this exemption.”


The $233,642.000 total amount of money we know is being spent to kill deer does NOT include: 


1. The salary of The Arlington County Board

2. The salary of The Arlington Department of Parks and Recreation and Natural Resources Division

3. The cost of food security staff, deer meat testing, processing, and distribution

4. The cost of the drone survey to pinpoint areas of high deer densities the hired sharpshooters will use to focus their killing plan

5. The cost of the Arlington County Police and Park Ranger man hours to guard the deer killing sites in January - February 2026

6. The cost of vegetative surveys

7. The cost of deer browse surveys

8. It also does not include the many hours the Arlington Regional Master Naturalists, Arlington Forest and Natural Resources Commission, Arlington Parks and Recreation Commission, Arlington Natural Resources Joint Advisory Group, and many other people and organizations spent discussing and demanding a lethal plan to "manage" deer.


Life is priceless.

White-tailed deer have committed no crime

and should not have to pay with their lives.