Island biologist Richard Johnson has been documenting an apparent spread of lone star ticks inland from Aquinnah and Chappaquiddick this summer.

The real tick season has started as nymphs of both deer ticks and lone star ticks are out and will be present through July.

Oak Bluffs selectmen Tuesday decided to stay the course after revisiting their decision to back an expanded deer hunting season on the Island.

Amid growing concern about Lyme disease, selectmen in Edgartown, Aquinnah and West Tisbury this week agreed to join the call for adding another two-week deer hunt next January.

Selectmen in Oak Bluffs and Chilmark last night threw their full support behind a plan to add a second two-week shotgun season for deer in January next year.

Vineyard residents are highly concerned about ticks and tick-borne illness, according to a newly-released community survey conducted in August.