DEER MANAGEMENT UPDATE

Reston Association Board of Directors Meeting

October 22, 2015

Photo courtesy Jim Kirby

AGENDA1. Introduction/Context

2. Fairfax County Deer Management

3. Deer Management in Reston

Why even talk about deer management?

• Concerns about human health and safety• Automobile collisions, Lyme disease

• Loss of vegetation, habitat and forest regeneration• Homeowner yards, natural areas

• Lack of natural predators

The Concise History of Deer Management in Reston

Before May 2006 RA Governing Documents silent on hunting• Bow hunting was taking place on some lots• RA resources staff had no calls/complaints since the early 1980s

After May 2006 Governing Documents required application and approval from RA Board of Directors• Since that time, five lot owners have received approval –

• Only two actively hunting• Three could not meet all requirements

RA has not managed deer on its own property – approximately 1,300 acres on about 400 separate parcels

Deer Management in Fairfax County

Charles SmithDeer Advisory Council of Northern Virginia

Deer Management in RestonRecommendations:• Increase education efforts on forest and habitat impacts as well as co-existence, exclusion and non-preferred landscaping and deer management options – underway, future Reston Magazine article

• Continue involvement with Deer Advisory Council of Northern Virginia to keep abreast of trends - underway

• Increase coordination with Fairfax County

• Consider managed hunts on RA common area adjoining FCPA parkland – RA Board decision

• Continue bow-hunting application process for owners - √• Reconsider existing requirements to bow hunt on private lots• Insurance considerations

• Evaluate emerging control practices that are or may become commercially available - √

FCPA Parcels and Adjacent RA Parcels

FCPA Parcels and Adjacent RA Parcels

FCPA Parcels and Adjacent RA Parcels

Questions to Consider• Should RA participate with Fairfax County’s controlled hunts on adjacent RA property?

Staff recommendation: yes on a case by case basis.

• Should RA permit controlled hunts (sharpshooting, bow hunts) on its property in certain locations?

Staff recommendation: not at this time.

• Should RA permit higher fences for exclusion purposes?Staff recommendation: yes and work with Design Review Board on specifics.

• Should RA continue its practice of evaluating and approving individual hunting requests by property owners?

Staff recommendation: yes, reconsider existing requirements to bow hunt on private lots, including insurance requirements

Photo courtesy Jim Kirby

QUESTIONS?