Catoctin Mountain Park, Antietam and Monocacy national battlefields, Manassas National Battlefield Park, and Chesapeake and Ohio Canal and Harpers Ferry national historical parks will conduct deer management operations in 2021 to protect and restore native plants, promote healthy and diverse forests and preserve historic landscapes. Operations will take place at Manassas from approximately Jan. 15 to Feb. 28, 2021, and at all other parks from Feb. 1 to March 31, 2021.
Extensive safety measures will be in place to protect park visitors and neighbors during operations. Under the direction of NPS resource management specialists and in coordination with law enforcement park rangers, highly trained firearms experts experienced in conducting wildlife reduction operations will primarily work at night when the parks are closed to the public in a manner proven safe and effective.