SILVER SPRING, MD—Today, the Montgomery County Department of Parks announces its fall 2009, winter 2010 deer management operations season, which will result in several intermittent park closures. The department’s seasonal deer management operations will begin Friday, October 30 at Hoyles Mill Conservation Park and will be completed on March 31, 2010. Park users are encouraged to note park closures, affecting specific park locations during this period. “Park Closed” signs will be posted surrounding the affected parks.
“Our operations are conducted with the highest standard of safety,” said Department of Parks Wildlife Ecologist Bill Hamilton. “There is no reason for concern, where deer management efforts are conducted on parkland adjacent to communities.”
On select dates from October 2009 through January 2010, ten county parks will be closed from Sunrise until Sunset for managed deer hunts. A complete list of the scheduled park closures is included below. From January 1 through March 31, 2010, 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.
“We have successfully implemented this program over the last thirteen years, in a wide variety of communities without incident with a sincere safety-first approach,” added Hamilton.
The Department of Parks also reminds county residents that October through December is deer breeding season, with deer activity at its annual peak. During this period deer activity becomes more frequent and unpredictable.
“This time of year, we all have to be more aware of deer on or near roadways and take precautions while driving to avoid a collision,” cautioned Hamilton.
Drivers should keep the following tips in mind:
- 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.
Hamilton also suggests that: “items on your property which may become a hazard to running deer, such as sport’s 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, including a copy of the county’s deer management plan, Montgomery County Deer Management Work Group annual reports and information on the department’s deer management operations, visit www.ParksDeerManagement.org.
MORE INFORMATION:
Parks closed for managed deer hunts—closed sunrise through sunset on the dates indicated.
- Hoyles Mill Conservation Park and attached segments of Little Seneca Stream Valley Park, Boyds, Closed: Friday, October 30, Saturday, November 7; Friday November 13; Saturdays, November 21 and December 5; Friday, December 11; Saturday, December 19; Saturday, January 9; Friday, January 22; and Saturday, January 30
- Blockhouse Point Conservation Park, Darnestown, Closed: Tuesdays, November 3, 17 and December 22
- Great Seneca Stream Valley Park, Unit 2, Gaithersburg, Closed: Wednesdays, November 4 and 18; and December 23
- North Germantown Greenway Park, Gaithersburg, Closed: Wednesdays, November 4, 18 and December 23
- Dry Seneca Stream Valley Park, Units 1 & 2, Seneca, Closed: Fridays, November 6, 13; and 20
- Woodstock Special Park, Beallsville, Closed: Friday, November 6; Saturday, November 14; Friday, November 20; Friday, December 4; Saturday, December 12; Friday, December 18; Friday, January 8; Saturday, January 23; and Friday, January 29
- Rachel Carson Conservation Park, Sunshine, Closed: Mondays, November 9, 23 and December 21
- Bucklodge Forest Conservation Park, Barnesville, Closed: Friday, December 4; Saturday- December 12; and Friday, January 8
- Little Seneca Stream Valley Park, Unit 1, Boyds, Closed: Saturday, December 5; Friday, December 11; and Saturday, January 9
- Little Bennett Regional Park, Clarksburg, Closed: Wednesday, December 9 through Friday, December 11; and Wednesday, December 16 through Friday, December 18
Parks closed for Park Police-based sharpshooting—closed 5:30 pm through Sunrise January 1 through March 31, 2010.
- 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 (Aspen Hill)
- Northwest Branch Stream Valley Park, Unit 7 (Ashton)
- Rock Creek Regional Park (Rockville)
- Rock Creek Stream Valley Park, Unit 7 (Aspen Hill)
- Wheaton Regional Park (Wheaton)
- Woodlawn Special Park (Sandy Spring)
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Contact:
Kelli Holsendolph
Media Relations Manager
Montgomery County Department of Parks
301-650-2866