A Conservation Tool for More than Just Deer
by Dr. Sarah Treanor Bois, PhD
Director of Research & Conservation at the Linda Loring Nature Foundation
As fall arrives on our island, we welcome fewer people, crisp fall air, and the start of our hunting seasons. Hunting is a time-honored tradition, part of Nantucket’s cultural heritage just as fishing is. But it is also an important management tool for our conservation organizations and property owners.
I know deer have been on a lot of people’s minds, but before we get to that, it’s important to know that hunting seasons on Nantucket start well before deer season. You may hear gunshots in the distance or see hunter orange on a walk – that’s all part of legal harvest for a number of species on island, not just deer.
Early Canada goose hunting began on September 1, while pheasant and rabbit hunting season opens October 18. There are also special early waterfowl hunts for youth and military (active & veterans) which started September 20.
For our deer seasons, there are different dates depending on the method. Archery deer hunting season begins statewide on October 6. Shogun season is December 1 to 13, and primitive firearms runs December 15 to January 31. Reminder: hunting on Sunday is not permitted anywhere in Massachusetts.
If you are out walking around some of Nantucket’s conservation lands, you may see someone in camo, hunter orange, or holding a bow. Remember to be respectful, not to disturb or impede hunters. I know from multiple hunters on-island that hunter harassment is something they all deal with— hunter harassment is illegal under Massachusetts state law, which prohibits deliberately interfering with the lawful taking of fish and wildlife. The state’s environmental police and local law enforcement are authorized to enforce the law.
The respect goes both ways, but I’ve heard more stories of people unaware of the hunting seasons who are taken off-guard seeing or hearing signs of hunting activity. Here are some things to remember if you are a non-hunter:
- Know where and when hunting is allowed
- Wear bright clothes when out on the trails
- Keep dogs leashed at all times
- Do not interfere with hunts
Much of Nantucket’s open space is open to hunting. As the largest landowner on island, the Nantucket Conservation Foundation has great information on their website about properties where they permit hunting and what to know about hunting their land at nantucketconservation.org/what-we-protect/hunting/. The Nantucket Land Bank posts guidelines for hunting on their 3,000 acres of public land open to hunting at nantucketlandbank.org/properties/hunting-guidelines/.
These lands are open to everyone, so when we share the space, we need to respect each other and the property owners. If you’re not comfortable walking or recreating in areas where there is hunting, know which properties are closed to hunting. The Linda Loring Nature Foundation, for example, is never open to hunting. And there is no hunting anywhere on Sundays.
Even if you are not a hunter, it is recognized as a valuable conservation and management tool. Most of the time, hunting is done responsibly and with safety and respect for the land and for others. By controlling the deer population, hunting can play an important public health role in reducing the incidence of tickborne diseases. This not only has benefits for humans but also for the overall health of the deer herd and our native plant communities. You’ve all heard the rumblings or maybe felt them yourself: “There are just too many deer!” I, myself, have had flower beds, pumpkins, and even potted plants on my front porch pillaged by our neighborhood deer—and I have a dog!
We all know the story of the few deer 100 years ago that started the population we have today. But have we reached capacity now on our tiny island? Are there really more deer here than ever? Or are there just more people to notice?
According to state data, Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard have the highest deer densities in the state. Nantucket County is State Deer Management Zone 14. In this zone, the deer density is estimated to be more than 85 deer per square mile. According to the state website, deer densities are thought to be even higher in areas where hunting access is restricted.
On Nantucket, the estimated number of deer ranges from a 2023 estimate of approximately 3,000 deer to recent 2025 estimates by state wildlife biologist, Martin Feehan, suggesting that the population could be as high as 10,000. “A little less than half the island is actually hunted each year. Those areas have much lower densities than areas closed to hunting where densities can be expected to be about three to four times higher. From this alone there would be a floor of around 10,000 when you factor in the 800 to 1,000 deer harvested each year plus the un-reported and unrecovered deer,” Feehan said in January 2025.
Without population management, deer become overabundant. In areas with too many deer, habitats can be damaged by over-browsing, and vehicle collisions can increase public safety risks.
Other suggestions for reducing deer herd, like deer birth control, are nonstarters. The amount of time, effort, and money needed to effectively reduce the populations are unfathomable and likely impossible given the amount of open space and the size of the population: more than 90% of females would need to be treated. Why try for a multi-million-dollar unsustainable solution when there is a group of community members who are open to the task of deer reduction?
For those who aren’t familiar with deer hunting, in many areas, there are “tag” limits to how many deer can be harvested. With the soaring populations on Nantucket, there is nearly unlimited “antlerless” deer permits, though there are restrictions on the number of buck tags. Harvesting large numbers of female deer is more effective at reducing the reproductive potential of the herd.
Hunting is also a sustainable local food source. I once had an academic advisor who liked to say, “You want to be a conservationist? You want to help native plants? Eat a deer.” I have a freezer full of venison every year. We make our own sausage, jerky, and even dog food. Living off the land this way has multiple benefits to conservation, human health, and public safety. And it’s delicious.
One change to hunting regulations this year is an extended hunt into January on Nantucket (and MV). This is a “primitive firearm” hunt, so no shotguns. One concern some Nantucket hunters have with this new season is that it may attract more off-island hunters who have little or no knowledge of huntable areas or relationships with landowners. Local hunters tend to have more respect for the lands, property boundaries, and for burying gut piles. It’s only a few bad apples that don’t respect the lands and other property users who make a bad reputation for all. Time will tell how this hunt goes and if the state deems it successful.
Regardless of whether you hunt, we all want the fauna of Nantucket to be healthy: from deer to rabbit, wading ducks to seabirds. We do better when we remember that we are all part of the community. Be courteous to each other and hopefully there will be a few less deer to snack on our gardens.