Sign and Share Our Change.org Petition

By Jeannette Louise Smith


PLEASE SIGN AND SHARE OUR PETITION:

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OR CLICK HERE TO VISIT "STOP THE ARLINGTON DEER KILL NOW!"


The Arlington, Virginia deer population has naturally declined 23% from 290 deer in 2021 to 222 deer in 2025.


It is the responsibility of the Arlington County Government to preserve and protect our deer, not transform our local parks into killing fields. The decision to employ Wildlife Resources, LLC to sharpshoot our deer will disrupt the balance of our ecosystem and lead to an endless, needless, and expensive cycle of attempted eradication.


Lethal approaches to managing deer populations are outdated, ineffective, inhumane, and will negatively impact our community. We possess the innovative tools to establish peaceful coexistence with deer, live equally with them, and safeguard their right to live free from violence in their natural habitat.


Surgical sterilization, a viable and humane solution, is 100% effective for the lifetime of deer and has been proven successful in other American cities.


We demand that the Arlington Deer Management Staff, Mr. John Marlin and Mr. Alonso Abugattas:

  • Immediately suspend the upcoming February 2026 Arlington Deer Sharpshooting Program in our local parks
  • Re-evaluate and publish the cost of a deer surgical sterilization initiative with White Buffalo Inc. in comparison to the four year $79,000 sharpshooting contract with Wildlife Resources, LLC
  • Develop and publish a humane, science-based, non-lethal solution to peacefully coexist with deer
  • Use more deer repellants and fencing to protect vulnerable plant life
  • Increase road signage in areas where deer are more densely populated
  • Install deer warning flashing signs for nighttime driving and peak deer-activity months
  • Develop community education programs to peacefully resolve deer-human conflicts

We demand that the Arlington County Board, Takis Karantonis, Matt de Ferranti, Maureen Coffey, Susan Cunningham, and Julius D. "JD" Spain, Sr:

  • Hold a public hearing to analyze and re-evaluate the entire program with valuable community contributions
  • Adopt a compassionate, humane, non-lethal, science-supported program that protects deer, humans, and our entire ecosystem
  • Repeal the amendments to the Firearms Ordinance (Chapter 13) and Miscellaneous Offenses and Provisions (Chapter 17) of the Arlington County Code, that permits the discharge of firearms for county-supervised contracted professional sharpshooting as a method of "deer management"

Arlington parks are beautiful sanctuaries, natural spaces of peace, relaxation, and learning. Arlington residents cherish the presence of deer in our parks and neighborhoods. Deer bring joy to our lives and enhance the quality of our entire community.


Killing deer with guns and teaching our children that violence is an acceptable approach to resolving environmental challenges does not reflect the values of Arlington County residents.


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BE PROACTIVE BEFORE THE SENSELESS KILLING OF DEER IN ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA BEGINS!


Email the Arlington County Board, The Arlington Department of Natural Resources, and Arlington’s Virginia State Senators and Delegates and tell them you oppose sharpshooting deer and demand humane, science-based, effective, non-lethal solutions to peacefully coexist with deer. (SEE EMAIL ADDRESSES BELOW)


ARLINGTON COUNTY BOARD: 703-228-3130

Takis P. Karantonis

Matt de Ferranti

Maureen Coffey

Susan Cunningham

JD Spain Sr


ARLINGTON NATURAL RESOURCES DIVISION

John Marlin: (Office) 703-228-6154 (Cell) 703-576-4355

Arlington Natural Resources Deputy Division Chief


Alonso Abugattas: (Office) 703-228-7742 (Cell) 571-235-2368

Arlington Natural Resources Manager


ELECTED OFFICALS

Adam Ebbin, Virginia Senator, District 39: 571-384-8957

Barbara Favola, Virginia Senator, District 40: 703-721-8582

Patrick Hope, House of Delegates, 1st District: 703-486-1010

Adele Y. McClure, House of Delegates, 2nd District: 703-239-4425

Alfonso Lopez, House of Delegates, 3rd District: 571-336-2147


WILDLIFE RESOURCES, LLC: 540-209-3522

Wesley Runion, Owner

5907 Teal Ln Bridgewater, VA 22812


COPY AND PASTE THE EMAILS BELOW INTO YOUR LETTER:


tkarantonis@arlingtonva.us, mdeferranti@arlingtonva.us, mcoffey@arlingtonva.us,  scunningham@arlingtonva.us, jdspainsr@arlingtonva.us, aabugattas@arlingtonva.us, jmarlin@arlingtonva.us, senatorebbin@senate.virginia.gov, senatorfavola@senate.virginia.gov, delALopez@house.virginia.gov, delPHope@house.virginia.gov, DelAMcClure@house.virginia.gov, wildliferesourcesllc@gmail.com



THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

TO GET INVOLVED EMAIL: nokillingdeerinarlington@gmail.com