September 16th, 2015 by WCBC Radio

The Pilot Archery Managed Deer Hunting Program at two Montgomery County parks will take place despite the efforts of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals to block the bowhunt through a court order, according to The Archery Wire. Montgomery County Circuit Court Judge Cynthia Callahan denied a motion filed Sept. 10 for a temporary restraining order sought by Bethesda resident and PETA member Eilene Cohhn to stop the managed archery deer hunts approved earlier this year by Montgomery Parks.

PETA’s legal attempt served only to temporarily delay the hunt, which was originally scheduled to begin Sept. 11, the same day as the regular Maryland archery deer season. As a result, the bowhunts designed to control the problematic deer population began and will continue through Oct. 21.

The hunt will mark the first time the parks department, part of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, will use archers to safely cull the county’s deer population.

Pre-approved participants hunt throughout 733 acres in the Watts Branch Stream Valley Park in Potomac and one section of the Great Seneca Valley Stream Park in Germantown. Candidates for the hunting program were required to provide a resume outlining their archery-hunting experience and written, verifiable references. Further, hunters must have completed the Maryland Hunter Education and Safety Course and a National Bowhunter Education Foundation course.

Other qualifications included:

• Minimum age of 18 years.

• At least three years of archery hunting experience and proof that at least five deer had been taken with archery equipment.

• Background checks.

• Successful completion of Montgomery Parks Archery Shooting Qualification standards.

• Current Maryland hunting license and archery stamp.