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The Bureau of Land Management held a successful Managed Deer Hunt at the Meadowood Special Recreation Management Area located on Mason Neck, Virginia, from January 19 through 21, 2012. For this antlerless hunt, participants were chosen through a lottery process utilizing archery, shotgun or muzzleloader. Any hunter needing accessibility accommodations or a hunter's aide was able to make arrangements with the Lower Potomac Field Station staff in advance.Each hunter was assigned a section several weeks ahead of the hunt allowing them to scout their area on a site map and choose a tree to hold their stand. Over the three-day hunt, 32 hunters watched the woods from about dawn to 4 p.m. Several deer were observed by the hunters, but only nine deer were harvested: three bucks and six does. The weather on the third morning brought snow and driving advisories but still nine hunters headed to the woods. During the hunt, one hunter got his first deer and said he was “looking forward to providing his folks with their first taste of venison."“The purpose of the hunt was to maintain the deer population at a level compatible with the habitat while minimizing disturbance to wildlife and other visitors," said E Lynn Burkett, Lower Potomac Field Station Manager. Meadowood staff are grateful for the safe hunt and to hunters for helping reduce the extensive deer population at Meadowood.Many safety precautions were implemented for the 2012 Managed Deer Hunt such as: Neighbor notification letters about the hunt and resulting Meadowood closures during those hours. Sections for the hunt were carefully selected so as not to impact property owners. Emergency contact numbers were made readily available to hunters and nearby property owners. Meadowood Special Recreation Management Area staff, law enforcement and other agency personnel were on-site throughout the three days of the hunt. Check-in and check-out procedures were in place to ensure that all hunters left the woods safely. Tree stands were required to insure that no one was walking in specified hunting areas. Archery and gun sections were specifically designated for the type of firearm used. For information on future hunts, visit http://www.blm.gov/es/st/en.html or call the Lower Potomac Field Station at 703-339-3467 or 703-339-3461. While visiting this website, check out the recreation map and trail guide. The site is open from dawn until dusk, seven days a week, free of charge. There are many trails to choose from for all ability levels. Hikers may see a horseback rider or mountain bike enthusiast on an adjacent path.