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, John Marlin and Alonso Abugattas:

• Immediately suspend the 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.

Watch our YouTube video: Peaceful Coexistence with Deer in Arlington

For more information visit: No Killing Deer in Arlington​

Click here to view our media coverage on NBC Washington.​

Click here to view our media coverage on WUSA 9.​

Click here to see our coverage in the INDEPENDENT.