ACT NOW: Horrific Mass Deer Slaughter Set to Begin Early in Arlington
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| Photo © Jeannette Louise Smith, No Killing Deer in Arlington |
Arlington County will conduct the second year of its Deer Killing Program between December 2026 and February 2027. Last year, the sharpshooter contractor, Wildlife Resources, LLC, owned by Wesley Runion, slaughtered 26 deer, short of their intended goal of 90 deer.
Killing operations will remain focused along the Potomac Corridor parks of Fort C.F. Smith Park and Potomac Overlook (NOVA Parks) and along the Four Mile Run Corridor parks of Barcroft, Glencarlyn, Bon Air, and Bluemont.
During the evening deer kill, parks will be closed and secured and monitored by Arlington County Police and Park Rangers. Wildlife Resources, LLC sharpshooters will shoot deer from elevated tree stands aiming at the heart and lungs.
KILLING IS NOT THE ANSWER!
A PUBLIC LETTER TO THE ARLINGTON COUNTY BOARD
Chair Matt de Ferranti, Vice-Chair Maureen Coffey, and Board Members, Takis Karantonis, Susan Cunningham, and Julius D. "JD" Spain, Sr:
Killing heavily damages the intricate social bonds of deer. The case against culling deer extends beyond the killing of individual animals. It concerns the suffering caused by non-fatal wounds, the disruption of wildlife behavior and social bonds, and the risks to people and other animals.
Killing deer by sharpshooting is a patch job that fails to provide a real or lasting solution.
We can protect forest health, restore ecological balance, limit browsing of native plants and young trees, and allow Arlington’s forests to regenerate and provide healthier habitat for wildlife without bloodshed.
White Buffalo Inc, Arlington’s initial contractor and the leading expert in deer surgical sterilization, suggested that a sterilization approach is a viable alternative, yet this was not recommended in spite of having the support of over 60% of the community.
It is shocking that the Arlington County Board ignored and continues to disregard the voice of the Arlington Community.
We urge the Arlington County Board to:
1. Suspend the 2026-2027 Deer Kill Program and terminate the Sharpshooting Contract with Wildlife Resources LLC.
2. Hold a public hearing to analyze and re-evaluate the entire program with valuable community contributions.
3. Adopt a compassionate, humane, non-lethal, science-supported program that protects deer, humans, and our entire ecosystem that includes fencing, repellants, and continued monitoring.
We ask that you align our noble community principles and goals,
use humane and effective deer fertility control, and
STOP THE ARLINGTON DEER KILL NOW!
Respectfully,
Jeannette Louise Smith
Founder, No Killing Deer in Arlington
BE PROACTIVE BEFORE THE SENSELESS KILLING OF DEER
IN ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA BEGINS!
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STOP THE ARLINGTON DEER KILL NOW!
Call the Arlington County Board: 703-228-3130
Email all Five County Board members: countyboard@arlingtonva.us
Call Arlington Natural Resources Deputy Division Chief, John Marlin
(Office) 703-228-6154 (Cell) 703-576-4355
Email: jmarlin@arlingtonva.us
Call Arlington Natural Resources Manager, Alonso Abugattas
(Office) 703-228-7742 (Cell) 571-235-2368
Email: aabugattas@arlingtonva.us
For more information and to volunteer, email No Killing Deer in Arlington Founder, Jeannette Louise Smith: nokillingdeerinarlington@gmail.com
