Deer Cull On Fire Island National Seashore To Resume After Pause From Winter Storm

Wildlife officials are restarting the annual deer cull on Fire Island National Seashore later this month after a brief pause caused by severe winter weather.

Published on Feb. 28, 2026

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Between February 23 and 27, highly trained professionals will remove deer on federal lands only, temporarily closing some park areas to protect public safety and help restore native plants, forests, and wildlife habitat on the island.

Why it matters

The deer cull on Fire Island National Seashore is an annual effort to manage the deer population and protect the island's fragile ecosystem. The pause due to the winter storm raised concerns about the program's continuity, and the resumption aims to address those concerns.

The details

The deer cull on Fire Island National Seashore is part of a broader effort to manage the deer population and protect the island's natural resources. The cull involves highly trained professionals who remove deer from federal lands to help restore native plants, forests, and wildlife habitat. The temporary closure of some park areas during the cull is necessary to ensure public safety.

  • The deer cull will resume between February 23 and 27, 2026.
  • The cull was previously paused due to a severe winter storm.

The players

Fire Island National Seashore

A national park located on the barrier island of Fire Island, off the southern coast of Long Island, New York.

Wildlife officials

Professionals responsible for managing the deer population and protecting the natural resources on Fire Island National Seashore.

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The takeaway

The resumption of the deer cull on Fire Island National Seashore is a necessary step to maintain the delicate balance of the island's ecosystem and protect its natural resources. The temporary closure of some park areas during the cull is a small price to pay for the long-term benefits of a healthy, sustainable environment on Fire Island.