The new extended deer hunting season this year produced one of the highest Vineyard harvests on record.
The Vineyard pulled in 934 total deer from Oct. 6 through Feb. 14, a 17 per cent increase from last year according to preliminary state data. The winter season was enacted to help reduce the Island’s overabundant herd and added 171 deer to the total.
Officials saw that as a success, and have proposed other regulatory changes to promote even more winter hunting on the Island.
“Going into this we weren’t sure how high the harvest would be and it frankly exceeded our goals,” said Martin Feehan, a deer and moose biologist for the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife.
This year’s deer total was second only to 2019 when the deer tally reached more than 1,100.
The Vineyard has more than 50 deer per square mile, according to MassWildlife estimates that are determined from hunting data. It is far above the statewide goal which is 12-18 deer per square mile.
When MassWildlife approved opening the deer hunting season in January for the Vineyard, Elizabeth Islands and Nantucket following public listening sessions – and later added two weeks in February and a 10-day early season for next September under an emergency order – officials hoped it would entice mainland hunters to the Islands.
Mr. Feehan said several mainland hunters, many from Maine and New Hampshire, paid a visit to the Island during the winter season when in the past they were staying away, in part due to travel costs and lodging expenses. During the first 12 days of January, the Vineyard had already checked in 52 deer.
“There was interest from some of the hunters that hadn’t hunted on the Islands before to have more information on travel resources available or where they could go hunt,” Mr. Feehan said. “That’s stuff that we’re likely going to continue working with partners on.”
Mr. Feehan said MassWildlife didn’t receive any complaints from residents on the seasonal extension.
“We really just heard positive feedback all around,” Mr. Feehan said.
The Vineyard also set a record year for donations to the Hunters Share the Harvest program with 95 deer donated. Donated deer accounted for more than 10 per cent of the total harvest.
“A huge chunk of the increase in harvest was really accounted for by donation,” said Mr. Feehan.
The increase in donations is likely attributed to the MV Hunt Club, which joined the harvest program this year, according to Mr. Feehan.
Tick Free MV, a new non-profit on-Island dedicated to reducing the Island’s high tick population, also played a role in the deer donation surge. It offered a $150 incentive for doe donations and $100 for bucks. The state also reimburses hunters for both full and partial donations.
Patrick Roden-Reynolds, the tick biologist for the Dukes County tick program, said another reason for the increase in donations could be the prevalence of alpha-gal syndrome in the hunting community. The syndrome can cause an allergy to red meat and dairy.
“I know several hunters that want to get out and hunt but they have alpha-gal so they can’t end up eating [venison],” Mr. Roden-Reynolds said.
Mr. Roden-Reynolds also runs the Martha’s Vineyard Agricultural Society’s deer locker and said it set a new record for donations. Of the 98 deer checked in, hunters donated 48 to Island Grown Initiative, which processes deer for Hunters Share the Harvest. Last year only 17 deer were donated.
Mr. Roden-Reynolds said hunters paying a visit to the deer locker generally had positive feedback on the new winter season. Some didn’t participate since their freezers were already full, but others took advantage of the extra hunting time.
“I think it’s just more opportunity for everyone to hunt how they want to and hunt when they want to,” he said.
The state hopes to keep chipping away at the Island’s herd and is now seeking public comment for a regulation change that would make the February and September hunting permanent for the Islands. Written comments will be accepted until March 9 at 5:00 p.m.
The state also proposes permanently removing the visibility requirement for unchecked deer and the on-Island deer check requirement. This would no longer require hunters keep a harvested deer in plain sight while transporting it and allow hunters to check their deer at stations off-Island. The regulation was already removed for the emergency deer extension.
Statewide, MassWildlife proposes eliminating the use of natural deer based lures and scents in an effort to prevent chronic wasting disease from spreading to Massachusetts – a neurological illness that can leave deer debilitated or dead. Natural urine is one of the main ways the disease spreads. Public comment will be accepted separately from the Island proposals and is due March 9 at 5:00 p.m.
This article appears in March 13, 2026.
What are requirements for hunting? Any weapon or bow only? Cross bow legal? Thank you
You can find answers to your questions here
https://www.mass.gov/info-details/general-hunting-regulations
Is it possible for a nonresident to get in on this hunt? I and my kids are trying to harvest a deer in as many states as possible before I get to old to travel.
What is wrong with having an abundant deer population? The deer apparently are doing fine is that not correct?
Gross over-population. Auto accidents; tick transporters and homes.
Glad to see the hunting program was a success hopefully it will open up a few more areas or allow Sunday hunting
Wish our season would be from Oct. 15 through Feb 28.
Extend hunting until May 1, but no September hunting. September is the most beautiful month on the Vineyard & the best for hiking on the extensive nature trails. It is too dangerous to having hunting in September.
I’m sorry but there is very little chance of an injury from hunting especially during bow season. Take your walks and enjoy the outdoors. We can all coexist out there. Even if you see a hunter in a tree stand just keep on your way and don’t worry.
title of this made me laugh!
Just have a year round season until the tic situation improves. Why does everything on this island that is necessary is turned into a big project
There are plenty of people who enjoy a hike in the woods or a mountain bike ride through the state forest, especially from March to October, when the weather is warm.
It really would be nice to not have to worry about a hunter mistaking a hiker or cyclist for a deer.
How can I get some venison?
Where is the so-called “hunting data” that defines the Island’s deer density? If Chilmark is over-dense with deer then let Chilmark overhunt. To slap a radical hunting expansion on the whole Island by citing “hunting data” seems like a gross over-reach. There is no science that definitely shows massive overhunting is the cure for tick disease. Not one. This radical expansion of deer hunting on the Island should be put to a local vote — this is a small Island — it is not up to a state agency to change their mandate in such a way that it affects Islanders enjoyment of our woods and trails. Keep hunting in the time frames allowed — this isn’t a playground — its where we live.
Hunting season isn’t the main issue since residents and visitors will become too sick to be outside. Tick born illness will continue to be an emergency situation unless the deer are professionally downsized. Waiting until a family member or friend becomes overtaken by these devastating diseases is not ok.I speak from experience, it’s a horrific disease.
Is the hunting season the priority in this very serious health crisis? What about hiring professional hunters to downsize the herd in a very sort time, allowing residents and visitors to return to the outdoors all year round? Please don’t wait until a family member or friend becomes infected. I speak from experience, tick born diseases are horrific and devastating.
Deer destroy forests.The effect of the deer on the Island’s forests has not been mentioned. This is arguably more important than ticks. Deer wipe out plant species, kill young trees so they don’t become old trees, radically change the species diversity, and make it harder for other animals to live. If you walk through a forest you may not see this, there seems to be plenty of trees, but it is a very different forest than it would be without so many deer. This fact, deer destroy forests, is very well documented in the scientific record and holds true throughout the island. The extended hunt is a very good thing.