Deer culling efforts are unlikely to get off the ground in Falls Church any time soon, city leaders indicated this week.
“There’s no evidence that there’s an overpopulation of deer,” the city’s animal-control officer, James Overholt, told City Council members during a Monday night work session.
Public complaints about deer have been “minimal,” Overholt said.
“Most people are very welcoming of the deer,” he said.
Elected leaders seemed to accept his view, but said there should be ongoing consideration of the matter.
The deer population is “something to keep an eye on,” Mayor Letty Hardi said.
While it may not currently be a critical situation, “the [deer] population is increasing,” Council member Laura Downs said.
Fairfax County for many years has used a number of methods to cull deer on public property. Late last year, Arlington County Board members voted to contract out an effort that will use sharpshooters on public property, starting next winter.
Alexandria currently has no deer-culling program.
The discussion came as Falls Church leaders plan to enact a comprehensive ban on hunting on public or private lands within the city’s 2.2 square miles.
The ban would prohibit hunting via firearms, various types of bow weapons and other weapons, said Maria Rojas of the city attorney’s office.
While complaints about hunting in the city have been minimal, the issue “creates potential liability and public-safety concern,” Rojas said.
Virginia’s Constitution enshrines hunting as a right in the Old Dominion, but state law does allow localities to restrict it in some cases.
Given the small size and large population density, Falls Church has the ability to enact a blanket ban.
The recommendation “seems straightforward,” Hardi said.
Council members are slated to have their first formal look at a proposed ordinance at their meeting on Monday, Feb. 10. A public hearing is expected on Monday, Feb. 24.
If enacted, city officials would be required to post various no-hunting signage across the city.
While there is no current hunting ordinance in Falls Church, the city does have an existing ordinance prohibiting the discharge of firearms within its borders.
