WHEATON, Md.—Montgomery Parks will conduct its annual deer population management program from September 2026 to March 2027 to address impacts associated with an overpopulation of deer in the area. This year, management efforts will take place in 62 parks, including archery and/or firearms-managed deer hunting or park police-based sharpshooting operations. A complete schedule of program dates and locations is available online.
In advance of the program, Montgomery Parks staff post signs at park entrances, parking lots, trails, and in communities surrounding affected parks to notify the public. Park visitors are asked to plan accordingly for visiting parks that include program-related closures.
Montgomery County is characterized by a diverse landscape that includes urban, suburban, agricultural, and rural areas. This unique blend of developed and natural spaces creates optimal “edge” habitats, where fields, brush, and forests come together, are abundant in food and cover, and where deer flourish most.
“Our deer management efforts focus on restoring ecological and social balance,” said David Petersen, wildlife ecologist for Montgomery Parks. “We’re working to enhance public safety, protect natural habitats, and address the concerns of our community—all while supporting a healthy deer population. Above all, the safety and well-being of our residents remain our priority.”
The deer population management program was initiated 30 years ago to address an overpopulation of deer in many areas of the county, which can lead to deer-automobile accidents, damage to the environment, agriculture, and private landscapes, and concerns over disease. Routine maintenance is required and intended to balance deer with available habitat and human land uses.
Since the start of the program, 26,330 deer have been removed from selected parks. All deer meat from managed hunting is utilized and/or donated by the program participants. The park police-based sharpshooting operation has donated more than 428,000 pounds of meat to the Capital Area Food Bank since 1999.
Archery and Firearms Managed Hunting:
Archery and firearms deer hunting are conducted by qualified, pre-screened hunters under the direction and oversight of Montgomery Parks’ professional staff. Archery managed deer hunting occurs from September through January in 35 parks and does not require the parks to close. Firearms-managed deer hunting takes place in nine parks, which are closed to the public for 24 hours, including while operations are underway, just before sunrise until just after sunset.
Park Police-based Sharpshooting Operations:
Sharpshooting operations are conducted at night by highly trained and certified park police sharpshooters, in cooperation with park wildlife ecologists, under stringent guidelines, from mid-January to March 31. Twenty-two parks are included in this year’s operations. These parks, including all trails, are closed during operations at night from sunset to sunrise.
Driver Safety Tips
As summer winds down, daylight hours begin to decrease; deer food sources are shifting, and the breeding season, known as the “rut,” is approaching. These factors influence the movement patterns of deer and increase the risk of deer-vehicle collisions (DVC’s).
Montgomery Parks urges residents and drivers to plan ahead and use caution as deer activity becomes more frequent and unpredictable through the autumn months and as the end of Daylight Saving Time approaches, and offers the following recommendations:
- Be alert for deer on or near roadways and take precautions.
- Be aware that deer are most active from dusk through dawn.
- Look for eye-shine along road edges.
- Deer may travel in groups, so if you see one deer, expect others.
- Pay attention to deer crossing signs; these signify areas where multiple accidents have occurred.
- Never swerve to avoid colliding with a deer.
- A collision with a deer can happen on any roadway in the county, but be particularly cautious in areas where you observe deer often and where woodlands/natural habitat run adjacent to the roadway.
Questions or comments regarding deer management programming may be directed to: Info@montgomeryparks.org or 2425 Reedie Drive, 2nd Floor, Wheaton, MD 20902 ATTN: Customer Service Office. Please include your full name and address to allow for record-keeping and response.
Montgomery Parks
Montgomery Parks manages 417 parks and more than 37,000 acres of parkland. Our parks, programs, and facilities promote physical activity, social connection, and environmental stewardship. As part of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, Montgomery Parks is committed to creating equitable, inclusive, and accessible park experiences. M-NCPPC has been stewarding public lands since 1927 and has been nationally recognized for its high-quality parks and recreation services.
Accessibility
Montgomery Parks, part of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, encourages and supports the participation of individuals with disabilities. Please contact the Program Access Office at 301-495-2581 (Voice/TTY), MD Relay 7-1-1 or 800-552-7724 or ProgramAccess@MontgomeryParks.org to request a disability modification. Visit Montgomery Parks Accessibility for more information.
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