rockhead
December 15th, 2009, 01:48 PM
FCPA announces a managed deer hunt at Laurel Hill. Trails will not be closed during the hunt, but the park authority asks that mountain bikers stay on trails and do not approach hunters or their tree stands if you see them.
The hunt particulars are:
Deer archery hunts will occur at Laurel Hill areas J and K (old Dairy Farm) from November 30, 2009 through January 30, 2010.
The only authorized hunters are members of Belvoir Bowhunters, a highly qualified group chosen through a competitive lottery by Fairfax County.
All deer hunters will be using bows or crossbows only, will be hunting from tree stands or possibly a few tripod stands, will be taking relatively short shots with a downward angle (toward the ground the ground is the backstop), and all have gone through range qualification and safety briefings in addition to hold state hunting licenses.
Below is the letter FCPA sent out to LH neighbors. If you have any questions or concerns regarding MORE's position on this issue, please address them to myself. FCPA contact info is within the following text.
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November 16, 2009
Subject: Deer Herd Management Activities at Laurel Hill Park Dairy Farm Area
Dear Park Neighbor:
The Fairfax County Park Authority works in cooperation with the county wildlife biologist and other staff members to implement the Countys Deer Management Program. Each year, an attempt is made to expand the program to park properties where deer populations are high and herd reduction activities can be carried out safely.
You are receiving this letter because you live near or adjacent to parkland in Laurel Hill Park in the old Dairy Farm area south of Lorton Road and west of Furnace Road. The county will be working with archery groups to conduct deer management in those park parcels between November 30, 2009, and January 30, 2010.
During this time period, archery hunters in tree stands will be positioned within the parks. There will be no hunting on Sundays. All hunters will be shooting from tree stands and will be located away from property lines and trails. Signs will be posted on trails informing park patrons of the on-going deer management activity.
The white-tailed deer is one of the most beautiful animals found in Virginia. However, the deer population in our region has grown far beyond the capacity of the land to properly sustain them. The result is a damaged landscape where in many places there is little or no vegetation below five feet and both the plant communities and the animals that depend on them are devastated. The deer are not confined to natural areas and cause significant damage to ornamental plantings on private and public lands. The most dangerous aspect of the elevated deer population is the rising number of collisions with cars and the injuries that can result.
Deer are highly successful animals that can increase their herd size by up to 40 percent per year. In order to check rising numbers, the County employs several methods of herd reduction.
Sharpshooting of deer is the most common. This is carried out by specially qualified County staff. Occasionally managed bow or shotgun hunts are held on parkland. Hunters are chosen by a lottery system, and the hunts are tightly controlled. All herd reduction activities are carried out away from homes and businesses, roadways and active park areas. For more information on the Deer Management Program you can visit the Fairfax County website at http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/living/animals/deer .
Please note that the Park Authority does not grant permission for individual hunters to hunt on parkland. If you see or encounter any hunters on parkland without County staff present, then these people are most likely poaching and you should call 911 to reach the Fairfax County Police or call the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries Wildlife Crime Hotline at 1-800-237-5712.
If you have any questions about this letter or deer herd management activities on parkland, please contact Naturalist Charles Smith at 703-324-8555 or the county wildlife biologist at 703-324-0240.
Sincerely,
John W. Dargle, Jr.
Director
Copy: Gerald W. Hyland, Board of Supervisors, Mount Vernon District
William G. Bouie, Chairman, Park Authority Board
Gilbert S. McCutcheon, Park Authority Board, Mount Vernon District
The hunt particulars are:
Deer archery hunts will occur at Laurel Hill areas J and K (old Dairy Farm) from November 30, 2009 through January 30, 2010.
The only authorized hunters are members of Belvoir Bowhunters, a highly qualified group chosen through a competitive lottery by Fairfax County.
All deer hunters will be using bows or crossbows only, will be hunting from tree stands or possibly a few tripod stands, will be taking relatively short shots with a downward angle (toward the ground the ground is the backstop), and all have gone through range qualification and safety briefings in addition to hold state hunting licenses.
Below is the letter FCPA sent out to LH neighbors. If you have any questions or concerns regarding MORE's position on this issue, please address them to myself. FCPA contact info is within the following text.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
November 16, 2009
Subject: Deer Herd Management Activities at Laurel Hill Park Dairy Farm Area
Dear Park Neighbor:
The Fairfax County Park Authority works in cooperation with the county wildlife biologist and other staff members to implement the Countys Deer Management Program. Each year, an attempt is made to expand the program to park properties where deer populations are high and herd reduction activities can be carried out safely.
You are receiving this letter because you live near or adjacent to parkland in Laurel Hill Park in the old Dairy Farm area south of Lorton Road and west of Furnace Road. The county will be working with archery groups to conduct deer management in those park parcels between November 30, 2009, and January 30, 2010.
During this time period, archery hunters in tree stands will be positioned within the parks. There will be no hunting on Sundays. All hunters will be shooting from tree stands and will be located away from property lines and trails. Signs will be posted on trails informing park patrons of the on-going deer management activity.
The white-tailed deer is one of the most beautiful animals found in Virginia. However, the deer population in our region has grown far beyond the capacity of the land to properly sustain them. The result is a damaged landscape where in many places there is little or no vegetation below five feet and both the plant communities and the animals that depend on them are devastated. The deer are not confined to natural areas and cause significant damage to ornamental plantings on private and public lands. The most dangerous aspect of the elevated deer population is the rising number of collisions with cars and the injuries that can result.
Deer are highly successful animals that can increase their herd size by up to 40 percent per year. In order to check rising numbers, the County employs several methods of herd reduction.
Sharpshooting of deer is the most common. This is carried out by specially qualified County staff. Occasionally managed bow or shotgun hunts are held on parkland. Hunters are chosen by a lottery system, and the hunts are tightly controlled. All herd reduction activities are carried out away from homes and businesses, roadways and active park areas. For more information on the Deer Management Program you can visit the Fairfax County website at http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/living/animals/deer .
Please note that the Park Authority does not grant permission for individual hunters to hunt on parkland. If you see or encounter any hunters on parkland without County staff present, then these people are most likely poaching and you should call 911 to reach the Fairfax County Police or call the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries Wildlife Crime Hotline at 1-800-237-5712.
If you have any questions about this letter or deer herd management activities on parkland, please contact Naturalist Charles Smith at 703-324-8555 or the county wildlife biologist at 703-324-0240.
Sincerely,
John W. Dargle, Jr.
Director
Copy: Gerald W. Hyland, Board of Supervisors, Mount Vernon District
William G. Bouie, Chairman, Park Authority Board
Gilbert S. McCutcheon, Park Authority Board, Mount Vernon District