Hunters descended on York River State Park last week to take part in an organized deer hunt. A total of 12 deer were killed, according to Chief Park Ranger Brad Thomas.
These hunts take place periodically to help manage the deer population. Last week’s hunt featured archery and blackpowder weapons, while the next hunt, which will take place on Dec. 3 and 4, will feature shotguns, Thomas said. That hunt is already full, though standby options are available—anyone interested in taking part in the hunt should call York River State Park at 566-3036 for more information.
The hunts cost $15 and require participants to have successfully completed a hunter’s education course. However, people interested in taking part in the hunt can acquire an apprentice’s license, which allows for someone to hunt as long as they’re accompanied by a licensed hunter.
Todd Engelmeyer, a wildlife biologist with the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, said there are generally 35-40 deer killed during the four days of organized deer hunting at York River State Park, which means hunters will need to make up the difference at the December hunt to fall in line with the average. An average of about 250,000 deer are killed annually by hunters in the state of Virginia, while the state boasts a deer population likely over one million, Engelmeyer said.
“It was a little bit warm on Monday [Nov. 12] and deer don’t move around as much in that weather,” Thomas said. “On Tuesday it rained. We only had half the number of hunters we normally have because of the weather.”
Organized hunts benefit the land around them in a number of ways, Engelmeyer said. An uncontrolled deer population can lead to an uptick in the number of collisions between deer and cars. According to the Game and Inland Fisheries website, one-half to two-thirds of all deer/vehicle collisions occur in October, November and December, which falls in line with hunting season and with mating season. The mating season causes deer to pay less attention to their surroundings, which can lead to them wandering into the road when they might not normally do so, according to the website.
Approximately one million car accidents involve deer each year, leaving over 200 Americans dead and more than 10,000 injured, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. These accidents cause $1 billion in vehicle damage annually.
“If you drive a car or ride in a vehicle at any point, this is an issue that affects you,” Engelmeyer said.
A controlled deer population also cuts down on damage to the ecosystem, to agriculture and to shrubs and plants in residential zones. When the deer population is larger, it forces deer to look to more developed areas for food, Engelmeyer said. He said they especially enjoy azaleas, which he described as “candy for deer.”
Engelmeyer said that despite the benefit of controlling the population, participation in hunting is declining nationwide. Current research suggests that the average age of hunters is rising, while other competing recreational activities are attracting youth. Hunters provide an invaluable service to wildlife managers since it would be impossible for state employees to manage the population on their own. He said the number of hunters nationwide is decreasing by about one percent annually.
The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries issued in October the following tips regarding safety on the roads:
1. When driving, particularly at dusk and dawn, slow down and be attentive. If you see one deer, likely there will be others. If one deer crosses the road as you approach, others may follow.
2. Deer habitually travel the same areas; therefore deer crossing signs have been installed by the Virginia Department of Transportation. Use caution when you see these signs.
3. Drivers should apply brakes, even stop if necessary, to avoid hitting a deer, but should never swerve out of the lane to miss a deer. A collision with another vehicle, tree or other object is likely to be more serious than hitting a deer.
4. Rely on your caution and your own senses, not deer whistles you can buy for your car. These devices have not been shown to be effective.
5. Any person involved in a collision with a deer or bear while driving a motor vehicle, thereby killing the animal, should immediately report the accident to a Conservation Police Officer or other law enforcement officer in the county or city where the accident occurred.
6. Drivers who collide with a deer or bear, thereby killing the animal, may keep it for their own use provided that they report the accident to a law enforcement officer where the accident occurred and the officer views the animal and gives the person a possession certificate.
