White-Tailed Deer Management

White-Tailed Deer bounding through grass in a field.
White-Tailed Deer bounding through grass in a field.

NPS Photo/Manassas NBP

Are there too many deer?

Deer herds throughout the eastern United States were heavily hunted after the arrival of Europeans around 1600. In the early 1900s, deer populations began to increase due to a lack of predators and increased availability of food and habitat. Today, Manassas National Battlefield Park has an overabundant population of white-tailed deer. Long-term monitoring of white-tailed deer populations and their effect on park plant communities indicate that at current densities, the park’s forest cannot sustain itself. Damage by dense deer populations is widespread and documented across ecological systems, wildlife and plant communities, and adversely impacts the park’s historic landscapes.

Deer Management at Manassas National Battlefield Park

The National Park Service balances the needs of wildlife and plants in Manassas National Battlefield Park, while also maintaining the park’s historic landscape. Research has shown that vegetation damage occurs when deer populations exceed 20 per square mile. Reducing the deer population is needed to allow regeneration in a healthy, diverse forest that supports native vegetation and wildlife, including deer. The National Park Service uses an adaptive management approach that is flexible based on how deer and vegetation populations respond.

Without continued management, deer populations would quickly rebound and eat nearly all tree seedlings and other plants before they could grow. Scientists will monitor the response of park vegetation to fewer deer in order to inform future deer management practices.

During Deer Management

Extensive safety measures will be in place during operations, which will take place at night when the park is closed. Highly trained firearms experts experienced in conducting wildlife reduction operations will work under the direction of National Park Service (NPS) natural resource management specialists and in coordination with park law enforcement rangers to conduct reduction actions safely and effectively.

 
New Deer grazing in grass field.
New Deer grazing in grass field.

NPS Photo/Manassas NBP

During Deer Management

Extensive safety measures will be in place during operations, which will take place at night when the park is closed. Highly trained firearms experts experienced in conducting wildlife reduction operations will work under the direction of National Park Service (NPS) natural resource management specialists and in coordination with park law enforcement rangers to conduct reduction actions safely and effectively.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 
 

Manassas National Battlefield Park Deer Management News Releases

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    Last updated: April 9, 2025

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    Manassas, VA 20109

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