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Existing Herd Management Method

  • North American Model of Wildlife Conservation
  • The only population management method that is effective, permissible, and practical

4-Month Season on ACK —2025–2026 Deer Hunting Season

Incredible Safety Record in MA — 0 non-hunters have been killed by hunting

Number of Hunters Decreasing —View Hunter Statistics

Hunters Stop After Filling Own Freezer

Many Friction Points —View Hunting Friction Points

2025-2026 Deer Hunting Season

Sep 27 – Youth Deer Hunt Day          Shotgun, Archery & Primitive Firearms

Oct 6 – Nov 29                                   Archery

Dec 1 – Dec 13                                   Shotgun, Archery & Primitive Firearms

Dec 15 – Jan 31                                  Archery & Primitive Firearms

Sundays Excluded

Hunters

Mass Wildlife Management Zone 14 (ACK)

2014 Antlerless Deer Permits (ADP) Issued

  • 171 ACK Residents (176 in 2023)
  • 409 Non-Residents

Successful Hunters

  • 114 ACK Residents — avg: 3.3 deer
  • 248 Non-Residents — avg: 2.0 deer

Hunting Friction Points

Travel Availability & Cost

  • Ferry Reservations
  • Lodging Reservations

Restricted Hunting Areas [chart of Nantucket 30,600 acres]

Setbacks

Single Disposal Location (Landfill) with Limited Hours

4-Month Hunting Season

  • 2-Week Shotgun Season Overlaps Stroll

ACK Hunters Critical of Off-Island Hunters’ Behaviors

Nantucket – 30,600 Acres

Acres Hunting Acres Hunting
Conservation Government
NCF — 9,010 Most Airport — 1,200 N
Land Bank — 3,442 Most Town – Water Treatment ?
Trustees – Coskata-Coatue — 1,117 Y Town – Landfill ?
Mass Audubon — 964 Y Town – Water Company Permission Only
Linda Loring — 275 N Comm of Mass Y
Sconset Trust — 131 N US Coast Guard Permission Only
Farms Private
Bartlett — 200 Permission Only Sankaty Head Golf Club — 280 Rabbits Only – Winter
Moors End — 30 N Nantucket Golf Club — 250 ?

Nantucket – 30,600 Acres

Expanded Recreational Hunting

Expand Season

  • Added Month – Archery/Primitive
    • Jan 2026 added for ACK/MV only
  • Future Goal: Add Shotgun Week in Fall

Remove Friction Points

  • Open More Huntable Land
  • Permissions for Reduced Setbacks
  • Improved Disposal Options

Incentives

  • Share-The-Harvest Participation
  • Additional Antlerless Permit per Donation
  • Subsidize Travel
  • Future Goal: Additional Buck Tags – Earn-a-Buck

MassWildlife Deer Damage Permits (DDP)

MassWildlife Issues Permit to Property Owner

  • Allows Sub-Permittees onto Property to Address Damage

Issued Outside of Hunting Season

Property Must be Open to Hunting

Lethal Methods Allowed are Less Restrictive Than Hunting Rules

Each DDP Customized Including:

  • Valid Dates & Days of Week
  • Implements – Crossbow, Shotgun, Rifle
  • Equipment – Lights, Thermal, Bait

Deer Taken Must be Turned Over to MassWildlife’s HSH Program