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Fairfax County needs stronger population data, more volunteer hunters and broader public outreach to keep its deer management program effective, according to recommendations from the county’s Environmental Quality Advisory Council.

The proposals appear in EQAC’s 134-page annual report for 2024. Although deer management occupies only a small part of the document, the council said the issue warrants continued attention from county leaders.

Public opinion remains sharply divided over whether Fairfax has too many deer and, if so, what should be done. EQAC said reliable data could help officials explain the scale of the problem, measure whether management efforts are working and build support for additional staffing and funding.

Fairfax is the only inner Northern Virginia suburb with a government-sponsored deer management program. Arlington plans to begin one next winter, while Falls Church is considering a program.

Hunters and police sharpshooters harvested 773 deer in Fairfax County in 2024. That total is down from more than 1,000 annually during the mid-2000s.

Volunteer archers accounted for 703 of the deer harvested in 2024, up from 604 in 2023 but below most annual totals from the past decade. Participation also fell to a 10-year low, with 518 archers taking part.

EQAC said the program must continue recruiting volunteers while offering education for both experienced and novice hunters on safe and humane deer-management practices.

During the year, volunteer archers operated across 113 county parks covering 21,569 acres. The council recommended expanding the areas where deer culling is permitted, arguing that hunting on both public and private property will be needed to reduce deer densities to more sustainable levels.

The report also suggested funding another wildlife biologist position. That employee would concentrate on public outreach related to deer management and other county wildlife initiatives.

A public hearing on the EQAC report is scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 8, at 7:15 p.m. at the Fairfax County Government Center. Residents may comment in person or virtually, either live or through a recorded video. Written testimony will also be accepted through Jan. 8.