The annual limited deer-hunting season at King County Parks’ Island Center Forest is set for October 14-31.

Trails in the Natural Area will be open for public use, and the rest of the park will be closed to all other users except for hunters.

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) oversees the deer hunt at Island Center Forest to better control the growing deer population on Vashon-Maury Island, where the deer have no natural predators.

The hunting season during the second half of October coincides with WDFW’s designated modern firearm hunting season, when all firearms can be used, except rifles.

Formerly owned and managed by the Washington Department of Natural Resources, Island Center Forest is the only public land on Vashon Island where deer hunting has been allowed. The state transferred ownership of the forest to King County in 2004, and an agreement to continue a limited annual deer-hunting season was a part of the ownership transfer.

The hunt is open to everyone with a big game deer license and tag for deer with the modern weaponry option. One deer (antlerless or buck) is allowed. The WDFW issues a special permit through a limited lottery for a second (antlerless only) deer with the modern weaponry tag.

For general questions, email parksinfo@kingcountry.gov or call 206-477-4527.

Those interested in the second deer permit can contact WDFW here.