Baltimore City Completes Deer Reduction in Three Parks

227 deer were harvested in Gwynns Falls/Leakin Park, Herring Run Park, and Druid Hill Park.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 7:37pm

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A blurred, impressionistic photograph of a deer's outline in a verdant park, with soft, warm light and color creating a serene, contemplative mood.Baltimore's deer reduction program aims to balance urban wildlife and public safety, donating the harvested venison to those in need.Baltimore Today

Baltimore City has wrapped up its deer reduction efforts in three local parks, with a total of 227 deer harvested. Sharpshooters were brought in after hours to Gwynns Falls/Leakin Park, Herring Run Park, and Druid Hill Park to help control the deer population. The venison from the harvested deer is being donated to the Maryland Food Bank.

Why it matters

Deer overpopulation can lead to increased vehicle collisions, damage to landscaping and gardens, and the spread of Lyme disease. Baltimore City's deer reduction program aims to maintain a healthy deer population and mitigate these issues in urban parks.

The details

According to Shane Boehne, a Wildlife Conservation Analyst for the Baltimore City Recreation and Parks Department, the deer reduction efforts resulted in the harvesting of 59 deer from Gwynns Falls/Leakin Park, 36 deer from Herring Run Park, and 132 deer from Druid Hill Park, for a total of 227 deer.

  • The deer reduction efforts in Baltimore City parks wrapped up in April 2026.

The players

Shane Boehne

A Wildlife Conservation Analyst for the Baltimore City Recreation and Parks Department.

Maryland Food Bank

The organization that will receive the donated venison from the deer reduction program.

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What they’re saying

“In total, we harvested 227 deer. Fifty-nine of those were from Gwynns Falls/Leakin Park. Herring Run Park was 36 deer, and our last park that we worked in was Druid Hill Park, and we were able to reach our goal of 132 deer in that in that park.”

— Shane Boehne, Wildlife Conservation Analyst, Baltimore City Recreation and Parks Department

What’s next

The deer reduction efforts will likely be held on a yearly basis, but that is funding-dependent and also community-dependent.

The takeaway

Baltimore City's deer reduction program in local parks aims to maintain a healthy deer population and mitigate issues like increased vehicle collisions, landscape damage, and the spread of Lyme disease. The donated venison also helps provide food to those in need.