Professional sharpshooters will be returning to Arlington this winter for another deer cull.
The program will operate “on select nights” between December and February, according to a county bulletin. It will take place on public property, owned either by the county government or NOVA Parks, in two major areas:
- Potomac corridor: Fort C.F. Smith and Potomac Overlook Regional parks
- Four Mile Run corridor: Bancroft, Glencarlyn, Bon Air and Bluemont parks
The cull will take place after hours in parks secured and monitored by the Arlington County Police Department and park rangers. Sharpshooters fire downward to kill deer from elevated tree stands.
This will be the second deer cull to take place in Arlington.
After a lengthy and contentious public process, County Board members in late 2024 approved paying sharpshooters to reduce the population of white-tailed deer in the county.
The program began in early 2026, resulting in 26 deer killed. About 1,500 pounds of venison were donated to the Arlington Food Assistance Center.
It’s one of several initiatives the county is undertaking to limit the impacts of Arlington’s deer population on its natural surroundings. Other methods include the use of fencing and repellents.
“Reducing deer overpopulation helps limit excessive browsing of native plants and young trees, allowing Arlington’s forests to regenerate and provide healthier habitat for wildlife,” the Department of Parks and Recreation said.
Deer mating season takes place in the D.C. area through December. Drivers are advised to exercise extra caution at this time of year, particularly around dawn and dusk.
Photo via Dennis Dimick/Flickr
