Land Bank Applies For Deer Damage Permit For Beechwood Farm Property

The Nantucket Land Bank is applying for a deer damage permit, which will allow it to contract with permitted hunters to kill deer on certain properties outside of the normal deer hunting season.

The move, which Land Bank leaders have signalled was imminent for months, is an escalation of the Land Bank’s fight against deer overpopulation on Nantucket. The state is expected to grant the permit, which could allow operations to begin as early as February.

Any deer taken under the deer damage permit will be processed at the Land Bank’s new agricultural processing facility on Boynton Lane and donated to food-insecure islanders through the state’s Hunters Share the Harvest Program.

“It's kind of the culmination of the Boynton Lane facility,” executive director Rachael Freeman said, calling the process “extremely structured.”

The Land Bank Commission’s vote to authorize applying for the permit was 4-1. Commissioners Kristina Jelleme, Neil Patterson, Mark Donato, and John Stackpole voted yes. Allen Reinhard, who has been opposed to the idea since at least August, voted no.

The Land Bank expects to apply for the permit for its Beechwood Farm property in Polpis.

“It's a beautiful property where we have plenty of deer,” Freeman said. “It’s pretty substantial in size, and it's off the beaten path, so it has limited impact.”

While the specifics of the permit, including the dates that it is valid, will depend on what the state allows, Freeman said they are not looking to continue hunting after March 21st.

Massachusetts deer and moose project leader Martin Feehan was in attendance at the Land Bank’s meeting on Tuesday and spoke positively of the initiative. He said that he would have the final say on the nature of the permit and that he is pushing for a similar initiative on Martha’s Vineyard.

The Land Bank’s efforts have already shown success. The deer harvest on Nantucket hit a record this year, likely at least in part because of the dozens of deer donated to the Hunters Share the Harvest Program, which allows hunters to give venison to those in need through licensed processors like the Land Bank.