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Eight Montgomery County parks will close for several days over the next five months for limited hunts aimed at decreasing the deer population.

Also, from January through March, Park Police sharpshooters will hunt deer at night at four or more parks to be announced after Dec. 1.

The parks department plans to consider proposals this year to expand its deer management to parks in Darnestown, Travillah and Fairland. Before parks officials decide what will be done where, details will be made available so that the public can comment.

Managed hunts in county parks are limited to qualified hunters who will be selected in a random drawing in October. The deadline for applications was in mid-August, but applications to get on the waiting list for next season can be obtained by visiting the "Frequently Asked Questions" section of the parks Web site at www.ParksDeerManagement.

org or by calling 301-949-4135.

The parks department began the hunts in 1996 at a handful of parks in an effort to control the county's burgeoning deer population.

A report from the county's Deer Management Work Group last year showed that deer-car collisions declined around parks where deer have been hunted.

The hunts have drawn some protests from animal lovers who oppose killing the deer and prefer contraception, which is used to limit deer population at the fenced National Institutes of Standards and Technology campus in Gaithersburg.

Hoyles Mill Conservation Park and attached segments of Little Seneca Stream Valley Park, Boyds: Oct. 24; Nov. 1, 7, 15; Dec. 6, 12; Jan. 2, 10, 30; Feb. 7

Woodstock Equestrian Park, Beallsville: Oct. 25; Nov. 8, 14; Dec. 5, 13; Jan. 3, 9, 31; Feb. 6

Rachel Carson Conservation Park, Brookeville: Nov. 17, Dec. 15; Jan. 5

Blockhouse Point Conservation Park, Darnestown: Nov. 18; Dec.16

Great Seneca Stream Valley Park (Unit 2), Gaithersburg: Nov. 19; Dec. 3, 17

North Germantown Greenway Park, Goshen: Nov. 19; Dec. 3, 17

Little Bennett Regional Park, Clarksburg: Dec. 8 through Dec. 12; Jan. 9