"The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries board proposed several changes to the state's wildlife regulations during its March 6 meeting in Richmond...

Among the most significant proposals related to deer hunting is an increase, beginning in 2004, of the seasonal bag limit from four to six. Basic big game licenses currently carry three tags that can be used for deer of either sex and one tag for an antlerless deer only. The antlerless-only tags would increase from one to three east of Blue Ridge. West of the mountains, hunters would have five tags, with three designated for antlerless deer only.

Department officials said the goal is to increase doe harvests in counties such as Albemarle and Loudoun. Hunters reportedly are using just their tags for three bucks and not purchasing extra bonus tags for does." (Ken Perrotte, The Free Lance-Starr, March 21, 2003)

In fact, according to Matt Knox, Deer Project Leader at the VDGIF office in Forest (near Bedford--responsible for the region including Albemarle County), "deer populations in Albemarle have been remarkably stable over the past nine or ten years." During that time, according to Knox, the number of people taking out kill permits in the county has "risen dramatically," from fewer than 10 to more than 100 per year. The number of deer harvested by these hunters has gone, in that time from under 100 to more than 1,000.

The March 5, 2003 work session summary of the Albemarle County Rural Areas Comprehensive Plan notes: "The erosion of larger blocks of forest decreases the habitat for forest-interior bird species, favors edges species, such as white-tailed deer, and increases the risk of forest fires and the loss to fire of woodland homes..."

The hunting season for deer does not begin until November 18th and runs to January 4th, leaving a significant period of time for area deer and automobiles to coexist.

Noting the startling number of dead deer seen recently in the neighborhood of Loper website HQ, Charlottesville Council member Blake Caravati opines it has "got to be the Greenbrier 'hood. No problems with deer in Martha Jeff...we do have a lot of opposums and skunks, though. Not sure what that means." (via electronic mail, April 7, 2003)

For Dead Animal Removal (Charlottesville City Streets Only), call 970-3830.

For Animal Control in Albemarle County, call 972-4033.

See also, Deer Accident on Brandywine Drive and 4 Wheels, 4 Legs and No Winners.