CA Announces Deer Management Hunts
Seeing a deer along a wooded pathway may be a welcome reminder of River Hill’s natural surroundings, but a growing deer population in Howard County also can affect forests, landscaping and road safety. This fall and winter, deer management efforts in the county will expand as Columbia Association (CA) has announced plans to hold its first controlled archery hunts.
Howard County has operated a managed deer hunt program since 1998 as a wildlife management tool. The County’s Recreation & Parks Department conducts controlled archery and firearms hunts on County-owned parkland. According to the County, deer populations have exceeded what the environment can sustainably support since the late 1980s, contributing to reduced forest regeneration, the spread of invasive plants and deer-vehicle collisions.
As part of a longer-term deer management effort, Columbia Association will conduct controlled archery hunts this fall in River Hill, Columbia, Kings Contrivance, Owen Brown and Town Center. Hunts are scheduled for Oct. 14, Oct. 27, Nov. 6, Nov. 20 and Dec. 16.
Maps released by CA show two designated archery areas in River Hill. One area is situated near Route 32 and Great Star Drive, with the closest homes located on the cul-de-sacs of Ascending Moon Path, Rippling Tides Terrace and Waving Willow Path. The second area is north of Summer Sunrise Drive, positioned between Great Star Drive and Trotter Road. A map of the hunt locations appears on page 9.
According to CA, Columbia has approximately 100 deer per square mile, compared with a sustainable range of 20 to 25 deer per square mile. CA’s goal is to gradually reduce the deer population to a more sustainable level and reduce impacts on the natural environment.
CA’s program will use hunters from Howard County’s screened and qualified pool. Hunters must have a valid Maryland hunting license and meet state, County and CA requirements including background checks, interviews, documentation verification and archery qualification testing. Howard County says its managed hunt program has operated safely on County parkland since 1998.
County Hunts Near River Hill
Howard County’s managed hunt program includes both archery and firearms hunts at designated County properties. The Middle Patuxent Environmental Area (MPEA), which borders River Hill, is scheduled for five firearms hunts during the 2026–27 season: Oct. 13, Nov. 2, Nov. 18, Dec. 16 and Jan. 12.
County-managed firearms hunts begin one-half hour before legal sunrise and continue until 11 a.m., and participating parks are closed to other users until noon on hunt days. County-managed archery hunt locations have different schedules and restrictions, and affected parks are posted in advance.
Residents Should Use Caution
Residents who walk, run or otherwise use trails and open space should pay attention to posted signs and follow instructions on hunt days. CA says signs will be posted in affected areas before hunting begins and on hunt days, staff will be present near affected pathways. Hunters will operate only in designated areas that meet applicable safety requirements. State regulations require a 150-yard safety zone from occupied dwellings, while CA says hunters will be at least 100 yards from CA pathways. Hunters also will shoot from designated tree stands and may take shots only within 25 yards.
Residents should check CA and Howard County notices before visiting open-space and park areas during scheduled hunts. Dog owners should keep pets leashed in areas where leashes are required and follow any posted instructions.
For information about CA’s controlled archery hunts, email sustainability@columbiaassociation.org. Howard County’s deer management information, including current hunt locations and schedules, is available through the Department of Recreation & Parks.
