Arlington, Virginia Citizens Oppose Killing Deer and Support Non-Lethal Wildlife Policies and Strategies

© No Hunting (Bambi) by Dana Ellyn

In Virginia, white-tailed deer and other native wildlife are owned collectively by the citizens of Virginia. They are held in public trust by the Commonwealth for the benefit of all Virginians.

The white-tailed deer is the most common deer species in the United States. Killing deer to "control populations" in America is widespread, widely accepted, and negatively impacts many American cities.

Lethal deer removal methods to control deer populations are outdated, ineffective, and inhumane. Deer populations quickly rebound, leading to a never-ending cycle of killing without addressing the underlying causes of deer-human conflicts.

After the Arlington, Virginia deer population naturally declined 23%, from 290 deer in 2021 to 222 deer in 2025, Arlington County hired Wildlife Resources, LLC to sharpshoot our deer in February 2026.

The Arlington Deer Management Staff, Mr. John Marlin and Mr. Alonso Abugattas, did not reconsider and revaluate the cost and effectiveness of a humane, science-based, effective, non-lethal solution to peacefully coexist with Arlington deer.

We oppose the Arlington Virginia Government's unwise, ineffective, and inhumane decision to sharpshoot our substantially decreased deer population.

It is the responsibility of the Arlington County Government to preserve and protect our deer, not transform our local parks into killing fields.

Arlington parks are beautiful sanctuaries, natural spaces of peace, relaxation, and learning. Deer bring joy to the residents of Arlington and enhance the quality of our lives and communities.

We advocate for peaceful coexistence with deer in Arlington and urge Arlington County to initiate humane, science-based, non-lethal solutions that benefit deer, humans, and Arlington's entire ecosystem.

In the interest of overall public safety, particularly for the many Arlington communities that surround our parks, we urge the Arlington County Board to repeal their amendments to the County’s 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, Virginia is an educated and compassionate community. Arlington County must set a humane and educated precedent for surrounding counties and American cities.

Together, we can change the future and establish peaceful coexistence with deer in Arlington, Virginia.

About the Artist: Dana Ellyn is one of Washington, DC's most successful established artists. Her art is widely collected by history buffs, animal rights activists, and a growing number of art enthusiasts of all tastes around the globe. Visit www.danaellyn.com