Prevent Hunting in Kings Park West

So I guess it looks like this petition didn't make much of a difference. Just curious has anyone been: "hunted in their own neighborhood?" Rob M. Has any ones kids or pets been "maimed or killed by a hunter?" Dan and Sally. Have you been "chased out of" KPW parks? Joan. Anyways, is anyone interested in addressing the Fox problem that KPW has? Certainly the people with little kids and dogs are alarmed by the number of WILD foxes in KPW. Is anyone concerned about rabies? Or foxes attacking their kids or dogs while jogging through the woods? I probably see a dozen foxes a week in KPW and it scares me. Should we allow fox hunting in KPW? Just thought I would throw that out there for more intellectual conversation. (FYI: just joking, not actually suggesting there should be fox hunting in KPW, but they are a real issue.)

I've signed

Please, not in KPW!

I run around Royal Lake 2-3 times a week early in the morning, am I going to be hunted in my own neighborhood?

My family and I regularly walk through Kings Park West Park, off the trails, enjoying the park and exercising. Hunting would be very dangerous in this area, as many people walk off the trails and enter the park from their backyards (therefore not seeing posted signs when hunting is in progress).

I have lived in Lakepointe which backs up to King's Park West and the lake that is a part of it. There are any number of children, dogs and adults walking the trails, utilizing the playgrounds and the soccer field. In no way or fashion should there be hunting in King's Park West!

Kings Park West is not an acceptable location for a deer hunt. In the 13 years I lived here I've seen a handful of deer and I'm a stones throw from the lake entrance! Kids and dogs are constantly on the trails in the woods, houses back up to the paths - too many what ifs, not worth endangering the residence. I don't support this hunt whatsoever!!

Kings Park West is a neighborhood that embraces our wildlife and the few deer we get to enjoy. I'm shocked and disgusted that the county is even considering a deer hunt! I, along with hundreds of neighbors walk Royal Lake 3 times a day with our dogs, there are two playgrounds where children play early morning until dusk, paths that Robinson and Laurel Ridge students take before and after school, as well as after school sports. The thought of hunters hitting a child, dog, person or house is terrifying for our neighborhood residence to fathom. What are the organizers of this hunt thinking? This is simply unacceptable in a neighborhood of families, who opted to live where their children could see deer free, not slaughtered!

People walk through Crooked Creek Park!

I petition for "No hunting in Kings Park West" Hunting endangers children and walkers in our neighborhood. I have seen one deer in a year. Thank You.

Do those of us who want to walk our kids and pets have no rights? This is a terrible idea; I bird here frequently and come here to avoid hunters, which have chased me out of other FX parks. I've seen 1 deer here in 6 months.

According to the maps, it appears as if the deer hunt will include the playgrounds by Lake Royal. Not the best place for archers to be shooting arrows.

allan smith. We need to get rid of these sickly deer. Deer ticks are every where. The deer have eaten everything around here. Just like the filthy geese. Some wildlife is nice; too much is just a health problem. So many comments here show that the local residents live in Disney land and know little about biology or wildlife. Insane fear of hunters show to much MSNBC!!!Q!

This is insane!! There are many people, especially children, that use these parks for recreation. Will I be shot while running???

Disgusting that we live in this state.

Since when is hunting okay in a residential neighborhood? There are too many children, domestic pets, elderly, etc. KPW does not need outsiders coming into the neighborhood armed with bows to kill the deer. What about birth control methods? This is a horrible idea. Will hunters be able to roam the streets in the dark of night? Hate this.

Stop construction and building which takes away animal habitats and the deer won't be "overpopulated "

If you want your voice to be heard or have questions, please read this from Fairfax County: We will be holding two public information meetings to discuss safety concerns and answer questions related to the archery program. We encourage residents to attend. Information on the meeting dates/locations is provided below. Date: Thursday, August 13, 2015 Time: 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm Main Fairfax County Government Center 12000 Government Center Pkwy. Fairfax, VA 22035 Conference Room: 4 & 5 Date: Tuesday, August 18, 2015 Time: 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm Mount Vernon District Police Station 2511 Parkers Lane Alexandria, VA 22306 Room: Community Room We are also scheduled to present information on the Deer Management Program at the October 6th meeting of the Kings Park West Civic Association. We were invited to speak at this meeting by the civic association President. If you or your neighbors would prefer a meeting prior to this date to discuss your concerns with deer management, please let me know. Regards, Katie Katherine Edwards, Ph.D., Certified Wildlife Biologist® Wildlife Management Specialist Fairfax County Police Department

Since people clearly have reservations about this and a lots of unanswered questions (by an official), is it possible to hold a town meeting about this before the season begins?

Okay people, thank you for your interest, and interesting comments. I never expressed a concern that people will be injured as a result of these hunters hunting. What I do believe is that hunting is not necessary in KPW and Crooked Creek Park. Obviously most people understand that shooting from a tree stand creates an angle of the arrow hitting the ground. What I would like to point out are the flaws of the letter that I received from the FCPD and the necessity of "Deer Management". I apologize, but I do not have the letter in front of me. I am by no means anti-hunting, or anti-deer management. The letter states it is necessary for preventing car accidents, thousands in the STATE! Read the report provided by this program in the website. There were 24 vehicle/deer accidents in the entire county last year. How many cats, dogs, or humans were hit in the same time frame? The prevention of lyme disease. Does anyone know a person that was infected with this disease as a result of being exposed to a deer in either of these parks? If you do, why were we not warned of this? To control deer being diseased. These deer seem quite healthy and show no signs of chronic wasting disease. And trust and believe KPW residents that this is not "management", it is eradication. This is not a quota hunt. You can be from anywhere, all you need is a tag, a hunting license, and to qualify with your three arrows. I have been in the area my entire life. Everyone in my position think back on how many deer that there used to be in the area. See them at Wakefield Park any longer? How about Burke Lake? Hunting takes place up to Guinea Road already. Lets keep it that way, and let the 85% of the population that enjoys watching nature have that opportunity. Thanks to the people that have signed the petition, keep it going. Thank you for taking the time to read this.