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 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.


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


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


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:

  • Immediately suspend the 2027 Arlington Deer Sharpshooting Program in our local parks
  • Re-evaluate and publish the cost of all County expenses, including a deer surgical sterilization initiative with White Buffalo Inc. in comparison to the $74,000 four-year 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