MassWildlife Advisory

For Immediate Release 

January 18, 2005

NANTUCKET SPECIAL DEER SEASON PERMITS AVAILABLE

On December 20, 2004, in response to a request from the town of Nantucket, the Fisheries and Wildlife Board voted to allow a one week deer hunting season on Nantucket in February of 2005. This special hunt is part of a long-term management strategy to both reduce high deer density (40-60 deer/square mile) and reduce deer ticks, thereby reducing the incidence of tick-borne diseases. This special deer hunting season will open Monday, February 7 and continue through Saturday, February 12, 2005. Hunters must possess a valid 2005 hunting or sporting license and purchase a Nantucket Special Deer Season permit and tags in order to participate in the Nantucket deer season. The permits required for this hunt will available for purchase on Thursday, January 20, at selected MassWildlife offices and on Nantucket.

Nantucket Special Deer Season Permits may be purchased (cash or check only) at all MassWildlife District Offices (Pittsfield, Belchertown, W. Boylston, Acton, Bourne) as well as the MassWildlife Field Headquarters in Westborough.  Nantucket will be selling permits beginning January 24, Monday - Friday from 8AM - 10AM at the Town Clerk’s Office. On the Sunday before the hunt as well as during the week of the season, permits will be available for sale at the deer check station located at the Nantucket Waste Water Treatment Facility on South Shore Road. Permits will not be available to purchase on line. A friend or relative may purchase the permits in the hunter's place as long as they have that hunter's 2005 hunting/sporting license and the permit fee. MassWildlife will not accept or process applications for the Nantucket Special Deer Season through the mail. Only one antlered deer tag will be issued to each hunter during the one week season.

The permit will include 5 antlerless deer tags and one antlered deer tag for $25. The permit and tags will be valid only for this February season. The taking of an antlered deer during this February season will not affect the 2005 fall bag limit of two antlered deer. Once a hunter has filled the 5 original antlerless deer tags, he or she may purchase additional tags from the MassWildlife staff at the Nantucket deer check station.

Hunters are reminded they are subject to all hunting laws found in the 2005 MassWildlife Fishing and Hunting Abstracts. Deer hunters may use shotguns, bow and arrows or muzzleloaders. Hunters must wear 500 square inches of hunter orange on chest, back and head. Rabbit hunting with dogs and rifles is prohibited during the one week deer season.  Hunting has been and continues to be vital to this conservation and public health effort. Most islanders realize the need for reducing deer density through hunting and welcome responsible hunters. By participating safely, legally and ethically in this special winter season hunt, sportsmen and women will serve an important role in wildlife management on Nantucket.