Shotgun Deer Hunting Season Underway

Make sure you wear orange when taking walks in the Island wilderness this week and next. Shotgun deer hunting season started yesterday and runs through December 8.

The deer populations on Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket are among the heaviest, if not the heaviest in the state.

"Densities range from about 10 per square mile in northwestern Massachusetts to 45 to 55 per square mile on Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket...," according to the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife website.

Massachusetts is the third most densely populated state, when it comes to deer.

Densities range from about 10 per square mile in northwestern Massachusetts to 45 to 55 per square mile on Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket.

There are three deer checking stations on the Island:

M.F. Correllus State Forest, 49 Sanderson Ave., Edgartown, MA, call first, 508-693-2540, Mon. through Fri., 8 am to 4pm. The first week of shotgun Season, Mon. through Sat., 10am to 6 pm.

Larry's Tackle Shop, 258 Upper Main St., Edgartown, MA, 508-627-5088, Mon. through Sat., 9am-5:30pm, Sun. 10am-2pm.

Wampanoag Tribal Council, 20 Black Brook Road, Aquinnah, 508-645-9265, Mon. through Fri., 9am-6pm, or call 508-627-1935.

Deer must be taken to a game check station before transported off-island.