Deer Overpopulation
The white tail deer population in
Northern Virginia has skyrocketed. With few natural predators and abundant
suburban habitat, their population numbers are too high. An average forest can support
20-40 deer per square mile, but today we see herds up to 160 deer occupying the
same space: an increase of nearly 700%.
This overpopulation not only threatens herd health as increased density reduces each animal’s food supply, increases the potential for the spread of disease, and endangers the forest as deer preferentially eat native plants while letting invasives grow unchecked. To document the impact of too many deer on the forest biologists built fences, called deer exclosures, around certain areas to prevent browsing. A few months later, they discovered the deer-free zone had abundant native plant species, while the rest of the forest floor was barren of desirable vegetation.
In response to these findings, the Conway, in partnership with the Department of Game & Inland Fisheries, has organized annual deer hunts since 2008. Remarkably, these efforts have already resulted in a healthier understory with the return of native seedlings.
This overpopulation not only threatens herd health as increased density reduces each animal’s food supply, increases the potential for the spread of disease, and endangers the forest as deer preferentially eat native plants while letting invasives grow unchecked. To document the impact of too many deer on the forest biologists built fences, called deer exclosures, around certain areas to prevent browsing. A few months later, they discovered the deer-free zone had abundant native plant species, while the rest of the forest floor was barren of desirable vegetation.
In response to these findings, the Conway, in partnership with the Department of Game & Inland Fisheries, has organized annual deer hunts since 2008. Remarkably, these efforts have already resulted in a healthier understory with the return of native seedlings.