<p>The archery season for deer will be extended by two weeks in an area of the state that includes the Vineyard, state officials announced last week.</p>
The archery season for deer will be extended by two weeks in an area of the state that includes the Vineyard, state officials announced last week.
Bow and arrow season will open Oct. 1 and run through Nov. 24, MassWildlife said in a press release.
The extension is for zones 10 to 14, which include eastern Massachusetts and the Cape and Islands. The reason for the extension is the heavy deer population in those areas, where upwards of 80 deer per square mile are estimated, well above the management goal of six to 18 deer per square mile.
In other areas archery season will remain the same at six weeks.
Shotgun season will begin the Monday after Thanksgiving on Nov. 26 and run until Dec. 8.
The archery season extension comes as good news to leaders in the fight against the spread of tick-borne illnesses on the Island.
Richard Johnson, who heads the Martha’s Vineyard Tick-Borne Illness Prevention initiative, said more deer hunting will help lower the Island deer tick population.
“If we can reduce the number of deer, then it is harder for female and male ticks to get together on the deer and mate,” Mr. Johnson explained. “That’s how we hopefully break the reproductive cycle. It gets harder for the ticks to find the deer, and find each other.”
He said estimates put the number of deer on the Island at upwards of 4,000, or about 30-40 per square mile. He also said harvesting female deer is key to slowing population growth — and more time for archery hunting can only be a plus.
“I’m hoping that it will make a difference,” Mr. Johnson said. “How much difference it will make remains to be seen, but I’m optimistic.”
Comments
I think increasing bag limits
Chris ChappyI think increasing bag limits would be more helpful in conjunction with the extended season.
That is a good idea! Great
Dan Hollins VAThat is a good idea! Great for the Hunter and not very good for the tics.
Hunters are already allowed
Richard Johnson Oak BluffsHunters are already allowed to take two bucks and an unlimited number does, just need a $5 doe tag for each female deer.
Is there any plan to do a
AlbertIs there any plan to do a donation or processing center on the island during archery season this year?
yes, the Island Grown
Richard Johnson Oak Bluffsyes, the Island Grown Initiative will be accepting donations,paying to process the deer and distibuting the venison through the Food Pantry and possibly other outlets. Details will be forthcoming after Labor Day. The tick program plans to provide a coupon for $50 off the cost of processing a deer to all hunters who donate a deet to IGI.
I wish we didn't have to kill
Margaret Vero BeachI wish we didn't have to kill deer. Isn't there another option?
With respect to the bag limit
Nelson Sigelman Vineyard HavenWith respect to the bag limit, it is already quite liberal. Massachusetts provides deer hunters with two buck tags. Antlerless (doe) permits are allotted by zone. In some areas of the state, chiefly western zones, where deer numbers are low, hunters must enter a lottery to acquire a doe tag. However, on Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket the number of deer is considered well over the healthy limit and doe permits are available on line on request at a cost of $5 per permit. Another exception to statewide rules is that a hunter may be in possession of four unreported deer. Theoretically, an Island hunter could shoot four antlerless deer (does and small bucks) in one day, check the animals in, and repeat it throughout the hunting season.
It is easy to pull the trigger. Not so easy to carry out and process the animal. Access to convenient refrigerated storage and butchering services would encourage many hunters to take animals they might pass up during warm weather or busy work weeks.
As for other options, they have proven to be quite expensive and inefficient. Whereas hunting provides recreation and fresh venison for hundreds of Island men and women.
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