The recent death of a seasonal resident with an apparent case of tularemia has sparked renewed discussion about tick-borne illnesses.

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.

Dukes County and the Island boards of health are sponsoring a Martha’s Vineyard Tick Fair on Saturday, July 28.

Maps prepared by cartographer Chris Seidel document the spread of deer ticks, dog ticks and lone star ticks.

Island hunters took nearly 800 deer during the 2017 deer hunting season, the highest harvest in at least 16 years, according to recently released state data.

Shotgun hunting season began Monday, and the weigh station was busy this week with hunters, biologists collecting ticks, and a new deer donation program.

Efforts to reduce the Island deer herd, and an apparent spread of lone star ticks, topped a presentation this week.

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.