Hunting and Birth Control Proposed to Decrease Deer Population in Manassas Battlefield Park

National Park officials are considering multiple options for controlling the seemingly, out-of-control deer population at Manassas Battlefield National Park in Prince William and Fairfax counties, including opening up hunting and getting the animals on birth control. 

Park officials estimate there are 156 deer per square mile of the eight-mile park, according to Washington Post reports. 

That many hungry deer are eating their way through the vegetation in the park and in nearby gardens belonging to private residents, the reports shows.  The deer also pose a safety hazard because they carry diseases and are often hit by cars traveling on roadways through the battlefield.  

Park officials have ideas on how to control the deer population, including birth control, fencing and the controversial option of hunting the deer—the last option being the most feasible option to national park service authorities. 

Deer hunting, also known as deer harvesting, is employed in Washington DC and Maryland and has proven to be a good way to bring the deer population down in a relatively short time frame, authorities said. 

The agency will give residents a chance to voice their ideas and concerns about deer control from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday at a meeting at the Manassas National Battlefield Park Visitor Center. The center is at 6511 Sudley Rd in Manassas. 

Authorities will analyze the results they received and make a final decision next year. That decision will apply to the Manassas Battlefield park as well as other parks, according to the report. 

What do you think is the best way to control the deer population? Tell us in the comments section below.