“They need to be culled.”
“Families are afraid to allow their kids to play outside for fear of tick bites.”
“These are rats with better PR, and tickborne illness is a huge epidemic.”
These are just a few of the messages nearly 100 Island residents sent to the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife in support of a state proposal to extend the hunting season on the island for another month, into January.
According to those who took the time to write a comment to the state about the extension proposal — which is almost finalized and scheduled to take place next year — the overwhelming verdict from Vineyard residents is support, owing to the massive presence of deer and their link to the spread of tick-borne illnesses.
However, many argue that the extension is insufficient, and some are urging the state to allow hunting on Sundays — possibly only on private land — to help reduce the deer population in a more meaningful way.
Deer populations on the Vineyard and Nantucket, where the extension is also proposed, are significantly out of sync with state targets. Fish and Wildlife estimates that a healthy deer population ranges between 12 and 18 deer per square mile, but the division has stated that there are more than 55 deer per square mile on the Vineyard and more than 75 deer per square mile on Nantucket.
And this is in areas where hunting is allowed. Deer densities on the islands where hunting access is restricted are estimated to be well over 100 deer per square mile.
With an overabundance of deer, the threat to public safety grows due to increased traffic accidents and tick-borne illnesses. Excessive deer populations can also destroy native vegetation. It can even cause erosion on bluffs and cliff sides due to deer repeatedly trampling coastal paths, as biologists have observed on Martha’s Vineyard.
The state’s extension proposal was announced in mid-January, and public feedback has since poured in. Nearly 100 Island residents provided written comments for consideration, which The Times obtained through a records request. Others made comments during public hearings last month. Only a few residents opposed the extension. (Review the comments here.)
However, the vast majority of Vineyard commentators are fed up with deer overpopulation and are calling on the state to take action.
“I support anything we can do to reduce the number of deer on Martha’s Vineyard. “The ticks have gotten out of control, and the Island is almost uninhabitable for me,” said Chilmark resident Pauline Freedman. “I no longer go for walks in the woods because of the risk of alpha-gal and Lyme disease. So many people have become ill, and I am terrified.”
“I support the extension and any other measures to help remove more deer from M.V.,” said West Tisbury’s Simon Athearn. “As a vegetable farmer and avid woodsman, there are simply too many deer to be healthy. I appreciate the efforts that this office is making.
With overwhelming support on the Vineyard and throughout the state, state wildlife officials expect it to become law in January. The state will conduct a final legal review and promulgation, which officials say typically takes three to six months. The state’s proposal would allow primitive firearms and archery during the extended month, but not shotguns.
While there is widespread support for the extra month, many people have also advocated for additional accommodations.
“The deer hunting season has grown several times in the past, and the take has grown accordingly, but the deer population continues to grow,” said Chris Murphy, a Chilmark resident. “We need a new solution.” Simply extending the season will not suffice.
Many people, particularly hunters, have suggested that adding an extra day a week to hunting season will go a long way toward extending the season by four weeks.
Many people have proposed that Sundays be set aside for hunting, despite the fact that this is controversial. Hunters work five to six days a week, so weekends are their only opportunity to hunt. And if the weather is bad on a Saturday, there is even less time.
“Extending the season another month is just 16 hours,” said Brian Athearn, an Island hunter. While Athearn appreciates the state’s efforts, he believes that adding Sundays will have a far greater impact: “That’s the consensus across the board.”
“It’s a simple mathematical equation.” Sunday will allow working families to hunt together beyond Saturday, which is already difficult for some Islanders who work six days a week, he said.
Athearn understands that the general public, particularly walkers, is skeptical of the idea of opening up Sundays, a day when nonhunters can walk the land without fear of being targeted by a hunter. However, instead of opening up public land to hunting, Athearn suggests opening only private land to alleviate concerns.
The Vineyard has a lot of private land, and while hunters wish there were more, some private landowners have allowed hunting on their property. Athearn claims he doesn’t even bother hunting on public land.
“They want a day when they won’t have to worry about arrows or guns flying. “I get it,” Athearn replied. “But if we did it only on private land, that would make people happy.”
While DMF did not consider the recent proposal, hunters have long advocated for a state-level change. However, it requires state legislative approval. Hunting is prohibited on Sundays under state law dating back to the Puritan days of Massachusetts.
Originally known as blue laws, the state encouraged residents to attend church and refrain from drinking alcohol, as well as businesses to give their employees time off on Sundays. While lawmakers have made numerous changes, including allowing the sale of alcohol on Sundays, no hunting on Sundays has persisted.
Massachusetts and Maine are the only states in the country that prohibit hunting on Sundays.
While state lawmakers have long considered taking action, there are currently three bills up for debate at the state level: HD 95, HD 427, and HD 2292.
State Sen. Julian Cyr and Rep. Thomas Moakley told The Times that they have not received feedback from constituents on the Sunday issue.
However, a number of those submitting comments on the January extension made this recommendation:
“I support your new regulations for deer hunting,” wrote Bruce Haynes of West Tisbury. “But it would be great to see an additional day added, where (Sundays) were open for deer hunting.” This would make hunting more accessible to working people. This would also boost the number of harvested deer.”
“Not only should you extend the deer season by one month, but they should also allow hunting on Sunday,” wrote Edgartown resident James Joyce. “I do not own a gun or hunt, but understand the problem of deer on this Island is real.”
However, there was not unanimous support. “I have a family with young children. “We are forced to leave the State Forest and surrounding areas during hunting season for fear of being shot,” wrote Edgartown resident Brian Call.
“If Sundays are opened or extended into January, we will lose our only weekend day to get out and explore the island. Our taxes grant us access, which should not be denied so that people can go play with guns.”
Martin Feehan, the state’s deer and moose biologist, expects the January extension to be approved. Last week, he presented the proposal to the Massachusetts Fisheries and Wildlife Board, which approved it. The plan is expected to be finalized within the next six months.
