Managed Deer Hunts Set at Banshee Reeks

The Loudoun County Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Services (PRCS) recently announced two three-day managed hunts for antlerless deer at Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve. The hunts — Oct. 12, 15, 19 and Dec. 10, 14, 17 — have been planned to thin the herd at the preserve.

Personnel from PRCS and the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (DGIF) have conducted deer herd health assessments at Banshee Reeks during the past four years, and according to a press release from PRCS, the assessments have determined that deer health is declining as a direct result of overpopulation.

The October event is an archery-only hunt. A lottery registration runs from Sept. 10-29. Hunters wishing to participate can register online at www.loudoun.gov/webtrac, using activity number 167501-01. On-site registration is also available Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the PRCS Administrative Office, 215 Depot Court SE, in Leesburg. The lottery registration fee costs $10/ticket for Loudoun residents and $15/ticket for non-residents. All on-site registrations incur an additional $1 fee.

Thirty-two hunters and ten alternates will be chosen at random via the lottery and notified Oct. 1. Participating hunters and alternates must have a Virginia hunting license, pass a qualifier at local ranges, attend a mandatory orientation at Banshee Reeks, and purchase a Loudoun County hunting permit ($25) at the orientation. Orientation is Saturday, Oct. 6, or Sunday, Oct. 7 at 9 a.m.; however, all must participate on the first day of the October hunt. Alternates must attend the Sunday orientation to learn whether they will participate in the hunt.

The December hunt will be a shotgun and archery event. Lottery registration will begin in early October. For more information about the managed hunt program, call 703-669-0316 or visit www.loudoun.gov/prcs.