Registration Open for December Deer Hunt at Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve

The Loudoun County Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Services (PRCS) is conducting a three-day managed deer hunt at Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve in Leesburg Dec. 5, 12 and 19. The hunt is being held to reduce the level of herd at the preserve.

Overpopulation has caused the health of the deer to decline, according to assessments by the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries and PRCS personnel.

The hunt is an archery-only event. Registration for this month’s archery hunt, which takes place Oct. 17, 24 and 31, is closed.

Hunters can register for the December hunt in person Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. at the PRCS Administrative Office, located at 20145 Ashbrook Place in Ashburn, or register online at www.loudoun.gov/webtrac.

Hunters will be selected through a lottery registration ending at 12 a.m. (midnight) Oct. 31 and will be notified Nov. 1. Lottery tickets are $10 for Loudoun residents and $15 for non-residents. Hunters may purchase as many lottery tickets as they wish.

Participants must have a Virginia hunting license, pass a qualifier at local ranges, purchase a $30 Loudoun County hunting permit by Nov. 14 at www.loudoun.gov/webtrac and attend a mandatory orientation at Banshee Reeks Nov. 19.

For more information, contact ron.circe@loudoun.gov, call (703) 669-0316 or visit www.loudoun.gov/bansheereeks.

Image: Courtesy Friends of Banshee Reeks (Source: Facebook)