D.C. Suburbs Turn To Sharpshooters For Deer Problem With deer populations exploding, Washington, D.C., area suburbs are relying more on sharpshooters and police SWAT teams to take care of the growing problem, reports the Washington Post. A construction boom has wiped out deer habitat, forcing the animals to wander and posing risks for area residents. Fairfax County realized in 1998 that steps needed to be taken after as many as 400 deer per square mile were found in some suburban parks, more than 20 times the desirable level, according to a county wildlife biologist.