SILVER SPRING, MD—Today, the Montgomery County Department of Parks announces its fall 2010, winter 2011 deer management operations season, which will result in several intermittent park closures. Park users are encouraged to note park closures affecting specific park locations during this period. Yellow and black “Park Closed” signs will be posted surrounding the affected parks.
“We are on our way, this fall, to surpass 10,000 deer having been removed from county parkland during our 14 seasons of deer management,” said Department of Parks Wildlife Ecologist Bill Hamilton. “County residents should see this milestone as a responsive and productive effort to approaching the issue of deer impacts.”
On select dates from October 2010 through February 2011, nine county parks will be closed from Sunrise until Sunset for managed deer hunts. From January 1 through March 31, 2011, additional county parks will be closed from 5:30 pm until Sunrise—at night when the parks are closed to public use—for Maryland-National Capital Park Police sharpshooting of deer. The department’s seasonal deer management operations will begin Friday, October 29 with managed hunts at Hoyles Mill Conservation Park and Woodstock Equestrian Park. A complete list of scheduled park closures is below.
“We strive to provide top quality management of the impacts of white-tailed deer in response to countywide data and community requests,” added Hamilton. “To date, our efforts to reduce deer populations have been successful in reducing impacts in all of the areas directly adjacent to the affected parklands in which management is ongoing and as we expand we’re hopeful our efforts will positively have a much broader impact countywide.”
The Department of Parks also reminds county residents that deer activity and impacts will increase as we head into fall. The months of October through December are the breeding season for deer and activity will be at its annual peak. During this period deer activity becomes more frequent and unpredictable.
It is also suggested that items on your property which may become a hazard to running deer, such as sports’ nets (volleyball, badminton or soccer), hammocks and swings be temporarily removed to help eliminate the possibility of an injury or entanglement.
For more on the Department of Parks’ deer management program and operations, including a copy of the county’s deer management plan and Montgomery County Deer Management Work Group annual reports, visit www.ParksDeerManagement.org.
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MORE INFORMATION:
Parks closed for managed deer hunts—closed sunrise through sunset on the dates indicated.
Kelli Holsendolph
Media Relations Manager
Montgomery County Department of Parks
301-650-2866
“We are on our way, this fall, to surpass 10,000 deer having been removed from county parkland during our 14 seasons of deer management,” said Department of Parks Wildlife Ecologist Bill Hamilton. “County residents should see this milestone as a responsive and productive effort to approaching the issue of deer impacts.”
On select dates from October 2010 through February 2011, nine county parks will be closed from Sunrise until Sunset for managed deer hunts. From January 1 through March 31, 2011, additional county parks will be closed from 5:30 pm until Sunrise—at night when the parks are closed to public use—for Maryland-National Capital Park Police sharpshooting of deer. The department’s seasonal deer management operations will begin Friday, October 29 with managed hunts at Hoyles Mill Conservation Park and Woodstock Equestrian Park. A complete list of scheduled park closures is below.
“We strive to provide top quality management of the impacts of white-tailed deer in response to countywide data and community requests,” added Hamilton. “To date, our efforts to reduce deer populations have been successful in reducing impacts in all of the areas directly adjacent to the affected parklands in which management is ongoing and as we expand we’re hopeful our efforts will positively have a much broader impact countywide.”
The Department of Parks also reminds county residents that deer activity and impacts will increase as we head into fall. The months of October through December are the breeding season for deer and activity will be at its annual peak. During this period deer activity becomes more frequent and unpredictable.
- Drivers should keep the following tips in mind:
- Drive with increased awareness of deer on or near roadways and take precautions to avoid a collision at this time of year;
- Deer are most active from dusk through dawn;
- Look for the eye-shine of deer along road edges;
- Deer may travel in groups, so if you see one deer expect there to be others;
- Pay attention to deer crossing signs—these signify areas where multiple accidents have occurred; and
- Most importantly, if you encounter a deer on the roadway maintain control and direction and brake cautiously—most accidents occur when the driver makes an erratic maneuver to avoid a deer and ends up striking another vehicle or object.
It is also suggested that items on your property which may become a hazard to running deer, such as sports’ nets (volleyball, badminton or soccer), hammocks and swings be temporarily removed to help eliminate the possibility of an injury or entanglement.
For more on the Department of Parks’ deer management program and operations, including a copy of the county’s deer management plan and Montgomery County Deer Management Work Group annual reports, visit www.ParksDeerManagement.org.
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MORE INFORMATION:
Montgomery Parks Fall and Winter 2010/2011 Deer Management Closures
Parks closed for managed deer hunts—closed sunrise through sunset on the dates indicated.
- Hoyles Mill Conservation Park (Boyds), Closed: Friday, October 29, Friday, November 5; Saturday, November 13; Friday, November 19, Saturday, December 4; Saturday, December 11; Saturday, January 8; Friday, January 14; Saturday, January 22, Saturday, January 29; Friday, February 11; Saturday, February 19; and Friday, February 25
- Woodstock Special Park (Beallsville), Closed: Friday, October 29; Friday, November 5; Saturday, November 13; Friday, November 19; Saturday, December 4; Saturday, December 11; Saturday, January 8; Friday, January 14; Saturday, January 22; and Saturday, January 29
- Great Seneca Stream Valley Park, Unit 2 (Gaithersburg), Closed: Wednesdays, November 3 and 17; December 15; and January 12 and 26
- North Germantown Greenway Park (Gaithersburg), Closed: Wednesdays, November 3 and 17; December 15; and January 12 and 26
- Rachel Carson Conservation Park (Sunshine), Closed: Mondays, November 8, 15 and 22; December 13; and January 10
- Blockhouse Point Conservation Park (Darnestown), Closed: Tuesdays, November 16 and 23, December 14, and January 11 and 25
- Bucklodge Forest Conservation Park (Barnesville), Closed: Fridays, December 3 and 10; and January 7
- Little Seneca Stream Valley Park, Unit 1 (Boyds), Closed: Fridays, December 3 and 10; and January 7
- Little Bennett Regional Park (Clarksburg), Closed: Monday, December 6 through Thursday, December 9; and Monday, January 3 through Thursday, January 6
- Agricultural History Farm Park and attached segments of Rock Creek Stream Valley Park (Derwood)
- Black Hill Regional Park (Boyds)
- Layhill Local Park (Wheaton)
- North Branch Stream Valley Park, Units 2 & 3 (Norbeck)
- Northwest Branch Recreational Park – including Northwest golf course (Aspen Hill)
- Northwest Branch Stream Valley Park, Unit 7 (Ashton)
- Rock Creek Regional Park – including Needwood golf course (Rockville)
- Rock Creek Stream Valley Park, Unit 7 (Aspen Hill)
- Wheaton Regional Park (Wheaton)
- Woodlawn Special Park (Sandy Spring)
Kelli Holsendolph
Media Relations Manager
Montgomery County Department of Parks
301-650-2866
