News  New hunting seasons deliver for deer management

In 2026, two new deer hunting seasons were added for the islands (zones 13 and 14) to improve wildlife management and hunting opportunities. These areas face extensive damage from high deer densities exceeding 55 deer per square mile on Martha’s Vineyard and 85 deer per square mile on Nantucket. These high densities contribute to the loss of forest regeneration, an issue increasingly found throughout Massachusetts, as well as unique impacts on the islands’ coastal habitats.

Results for the first year

The new seasons included a 6-week winter season (Jan. 1–Feb. 14) and a 10-day early season (Sept. 21–Oct. 1). Both seasons allowed licensed hunters to use archery equipment and primitive firearms. 

During the new winter season, 178 hunters harvested 172 deer on Martha’s Vineyard and 158 deer on Nantucket for a combined season total of 330. During the new early season, 97 hunters harvested 119 deer on Martha’s Vineyard and 73 deer on Nantucket for a combined season total of 192. A total of 522 deer were harvested on the islands during these two new seasons in 2026. For context, 1,608 deer were taken throughout all of calendar year 2025 on both islands. The islands still have the archery season (Oct. 5–Nov. 28), shotgun season (Nov. 30–Dec. 12), and primitive firearms season (Dec. 14–31) to add to these totals. So far, the new seasons have been successful at boosting the deer harvest to help address overabundant deer on the islands.

Local impacts

In addition to providing a new opportunity for local island hunters, the new seasons attracted visitors from other New England states, many of whom had never hunted in Massachusetts previously. Because these seasons extend beyond those in northern New England states, they offer a unique opportunity for hunters to travel south and pursue deer later in the winter, after the holidays, or get an early start on the fall hunting season. Get tips for visiting the Islands to hunt.

Venison donation through MassWildlife’s Hunters Share the Harvest program also benefited significantly from the new seasons. The 86 deer donated during the new seasons generated over 6,000 meals for distribution by local partnering food programs including Nourish Nantucket and the Martha’s Vineyard Island Grown Initiative. The extended hunting seasons are increasing the seasonal availability of this important source of protein and helping address local food insecurity.

Winter season extends to mainland

Building on the success of the first year, the 2027 winter deer season will expand to include portions of eastern Massachusetts with persistently high deer populations. The mainland winter season (zones 9, 10, and 11) is set for January 1–30 and the island winter season (zones 13 and 14) will be January 1–February 13. To participate in the winter season, hunters need a 2027 license and can use the antlered tags that come with the new year license. Hunters can also purchase 2027 antlerless permits for zones 9, 10, 11, 13 and 14, which can be used during the 2027 winter and fall seasons. Hunters can also acquire a free either-sex deer permit for use on the islands only during the winter season. 

Get more details about the 2027 winter season, including regulations and permit requirements.