For the past several years, Arlington County has studied the impact of white-tailed deer on our forests. The findings are clear: an overabundant deer population is threatening the health of Arlington’s natural areas by stripping away young plants and impacting forest health and regeneration.
To address this, the County will begin managing its deer population in February 2026 through a hybrid approach of professional sharpshooting, fencing, and repellents in select natural land parks. This Program follows extensive research, public input, and consultation with regional and national experts.
Why it Matters:
Healthy forests are vital for cleaner air and water, wildlife habitat, and the health and wellbeing of Arlingtonians. Without action, deer browsing will continue to degrade these ecosystems, leaving fewer native plants, more invasive species, and less forest for future generations.
About the Program:
Operations will take place in forested, natural land parks within two established wildlife corridors along the Potomac River and Four Mile Run. These corridors were prioritized because they have documented deer overpopulation and contain the County’s most ecologically significant natural lands.
Professional sharpshooting operations will occur in forested areas within the following parks:
Potomac River Corridor
- Fort C.F. Smith
- Gulf Branch
- Pimmit Run
- Potomac Overlook (NOVA Parks)
Four Mile Run Corridor
- Barcroft
- Glencarlyn
- Bon Air
- Upton Hill (NOVA Parks)
How the Program works:
- Operations will occur in the evenings and the parks will be closed and secured.
- Parks will be secured and monitored by Park Rangers and Arlington County Police.
- Operations will be carried out by one trained professional sharpshooter at a time, firing downward from a tree stand at short-range using sound suppressed rifles and non-lead-based ammunition.
- Professional sharpshooting has been successfully implemented regionally and nationally for decades with no reported injuries to bystanders.
Join the Virtual Information Session
A virtual information session will be held on January 15 to share details, answer questions, and explain how the Program will be carried out safely and responsibly.
Date: January 15, 2026
Time: 7:00-8:30 p.m.
Virtual Meeting: RSVP here
The info session will cover:
- Why deer management is needed now.
- Why professional sharpshooting was selected as the most effective method.
- Where sharpshooting will occur.
- How safety protocols will work during operations.
To learn more, explore the Frequently Asked Questions, and sign up for updates, visit the Deer Management Program project page.
