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By Jeannette Louise Smith


PLEASE SIGN AND SHARE OUR PETITION:

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OR CLICK HERE TO VISIT "STOP THE 2027 ARLINGTON DEER KILL NOW!"


The Arlington, Virginia deer population naturally declined 23% from 290 deer in 2021 to 222 deer in 2025. Arlington’s 2026 ill-conceived deer sharpshooting program resulted in the loss of 26 deer lives.


During the February 2 through March 20, 2026 Deer Kill, 12 deer were killed in the Potomac Wildlife Corridor and 14 were killed in the Four Mile Run Wildlife Corridor.


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.


It is the responsibility of the Arlington County Government to preserve and protect our deer, not transform our local parks into killing fields. Employing Wildlife Resources, LLC to use lethal and immediate mass reduction triggers a "rebound effect,” compensatory reproduction, leading to an endless, needless, and expensive cycle of attempted eradication.


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.


Non-lethal and humane surgical sterilization is 100% effective for the lifetime of deer.


White Buffalo Inc, Arlington’s initial contractor, suggested that a sterilization approach is a viable alternative, yet this was not recommended despite having the support of over 60% of the community.


Dr. Anthony DeNicola of White Buffalo Inc. is the most prominent expert in deer surgical sterilization. Rapid ovariectomy has been proven successful in other American cities.


Restructuring the Arlington Deer-Environment strategy as a Research Program using the science of surgical sterilization can be accomplished in a two-week period between October and November and permanently prevents reproduction.


Our demands are the only rational, sensible, cost-effective, answer to preventing future deer births, restoring the environment, and ensuring the vital balance of Arlington’s entire ecosystem.


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

  • Terminate the 2027 Arlington Deer Sharpshooting Program in our local parks

  • Re-evaluate and publish the cost of all deer-related county expenses that includes a deer surgical sterilization initiative with White Buffalo Inc.

  • 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.


Click here to read about non-lethal, effective, deer-environment strategies in the United States.


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BE PROACTIVE BEFORE THE SENSELESS KILLING OF DEER IN ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA BEGINS IN 2027!


Call and/or 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.


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


ARLINGTON COUNTY BOARD: 703-228-3130


Chair, Matt de Ferranti

Vice Chair, Maureen Coffey

Member, Takis P. Karantonis

Member, Susan Cunningham

Member, Julius J.D. Spain Sr.


ARLINGTON NATURAL RESOURCES DIVISION


John Marlin

Arlington Natural Resources Deputy Division Chief

Office: 703-228-6154

Cell: 703-576-4355


Alonso Abugattas

Arlington Natural Resources Manager

Office: 703-228-7742

Cell: 571-235-2368



ELECTED OFFICIALS


Barbara Favola

Virginia Senator, District 40

District Office: 703-721-8582

Session Office: 804-698-7540


Elizabeth Bennett-Parker

Virginia Senator, District 39

District Office: 703-239-3155

Session Office: 804-698-7539


Patrick Hope

House of Delegates, 1st District

District Office: 703-486-1010

Capitol Office: 804-698-1001


Adele Y. McClure

House of Delegates, 2nd District

District Office: 703-239-4425

Capitol Office: 804-698-1002


Alfonso Lopez,

House of Delegates, 3rd District

District Office: 571-336-2147

Capitol Office: 804-698-1003



SHARPSHOOTING CONTRACTOR


WILDLIFE RESOURCES, LLC

Wesley Runion, Owner

5907 Teal Ln Bridgewater, VA 22812

PHONE: 540-209-3522



THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

All activists and advocates are invited to ally with No Killing Deer in Arlington to engage, educate, and be part of the action. We also welcome you to add a linked logo to our list of Moral Supporters.


Email Jeannette Louise Smith, Founder of No Killing Deer in Arlington: nokillingdeerinarlington@gmail.com