ACK DEER MANAGEMENT PROJECT

Currently

  • Nantucket is dangerously overpopulated with deer and the herd is growing exponentially
    • MassWildlife estimates 10,000+ currently
    • Ecosystem can support 1,700
    • Highest density in state – 6x supportable density
    • Population increasing every year
  • Long extinct on Nantucket, the founders of the current herd were brought to the island in the 1920’s
  • Only natural predator is man (island has no wolves, coyotes or bears)
    • Fawn survival rate where coyotes are present: 25% / No coyotes present: 88%
  • Nantucket has one of the highest U.S. rates of tickborne (Lyme, Babesiosis and HGA) diseases
    • 15%+ of year-round population infected (believed to be much higher as cases are underreported)
  • Numerous vehicle collisions
  • Deer destroy native plants, native ecosystem, gardens & landscapes, dunes & beaches, window boxes, in-town plantings, cranberries, farm crops, trees & shrubs
  • Huge economic cost including societal health care, loss of income and productivity, damaged property, cars & agriculture
  • Standard fences are ineffective while higher and sturdier fences are very costly