The shotgun season for deer hunting begins today and runs until Dec. 14.

State and local officials are urging Islanders to be aware that hunters will be out on public lands. Hunting is allowed from half an hour before sunrise until half an hour after sunset. No hunting is allowed on Sundays. Hunters are required to wear a minimum of 500 square inches of visible blaze orange.

David Stainbrook, deer project leader for Massachusetts Fish and Wildlife, said deer that are taken must be reported within 48 hours of harvest.

There are three check stations on the Island: the Manuel F. Correllus State Forest headquarters off Barnes Road, Larry’s Tackle Shop in Edgartown and the tribal administration building in Aquinnah off Black Brook Road.

Hunters can check their deer at any one of the stations, regardless of where the deer was taken.

During the first week of shotgun season, all deer must be brought to an official check station for biological data collection. Mr. Stainbrook said the biological data, such as weight, age and antler beam diameter, will be used to assess the health of the habitat and the herd. Two state biologists will be on site at one of the check stations each day of the season, he said.

During the second week, hunters can check their deer online or at a local check station.

All deer shot on Martha’s Vineyard must be checked on the Island before they can be taken off the Island, Mr. Stainbrook said.

Biological data collected last year revealed slightly smaller antler beam diameter compared with the state average, indicating that there were more deer than the habitat can comfortably sustain, Mr. Stainbrook said.

“From a management perspective, the numbers tend to be on the high side,” he said. “We are relying on hunters to get these numbers knocked down.”

Hunting is allowed in the state forest and by permission on some land bank and Trustees of Reservations properties.

Sam Hart, Islands director for the Trustees, said Menemsha Hills, Long Point and Cape Pogue will have limited access to hunters. There is a wait list to apply for hunting on Trustee’s properties during shotgun season, he said.

All Trustees properties will remain open for public use, though Mr. Hart advised that hikers use caution and wear blaze orange.

The land bank, using a lottery system that has already been filled, allows hunting on the following properties, according to its website: Brine’s Pond, Blackwater Pond, Chappy Five Corners, Gay Head Moraine, John Presbury Norton Farm, Middle Line Woods, Peaked Hill, Poucha Pond, Quammox Preserve, Sepiessa Point, Southern Woodlands Reservation, Tiasquam Valley, Wapatequa Woods (North) and Waskosim’s Rock Reservation.

Land bank fiscal officer Cindy Krauss said properties open for hunting will be closed to the general public during shotgun season.

State forest superintendent Chris Bruno said the forest is open to hunters and the general public.

“Just be mindful, safe, and if people see anything that looks out of place — report it,” he said.

Hunting is also allowed on private property with permission. In Chilmark written permission is required for all deer hunting on private property.