We collaborate with other island organizations to control the Vineyard deer population and limit tick-borne illnesses. Hunters are welcome to join our deer cooler!
The Deer Management Program is a collaboration between The Martha’s Vineyard Agricultural Society, Island Grown Initiative (IGI) and The MV Tick Program whose primary goals are to reduce the Vineyard deer population and limit tick-borne illnesses. The MV Tick Program is working with private landowners to connect them with responsible hunters to reduce deer populations in residential areas.
Community Deer Cooler 2023 Information
Established in 2019, the Community Deer Cooler is available for use by all island hunters and has a capacity for 40 carcasses.
The Deer Cooler, Donation Program, and Incentive Program will be administered by Patrick Roden-Reynolds this year. Contact him for more information at 540-216-9618.
Open from Oct. 2 to Dec 31, 2023
Hours: Monday & Friday: 7pm - 8pm (or about one hour after last light)
Saturday: 9am - 11am
On Call 7 days a week 8am-8pm. Call or Text. Can usually meet within 20 minutes.
Registration is required.
Deer may hang for up to 5 days or longer as long as space is available.
Deer must be field-dressed, skin on, legs cut off at the knees, and properly tagged with the registration number written on the field tag. Field tag must be visible for inspection and attached to the animal.
Seasonal use fee for the cooler is $20 for MVAS members and $50 for non-members.
This fee can be waived with donation of deer to the Venison Donation Program
Venison Donation Program
The Venison Donation Program (VDP) provides high-quality, protein-rich meals to islanders in need via partnership with the Island Grown Initiative (IGI) through the Island Food Pantry, Kinship Heals, IGI's Prepared Meals program, and other food distribution programs. Hunters utilizing the Community Deer Cooler who donate their deer to the Venison Donation Program will have their cooler fee waived. To qualify, carcasses must be 60 lbs. or larger.
Doe Incentive Program
As part of its efforts to reduce the island deer population, The Martha’s Vineyard Agricultural Society, in collaboration with The MV Tick Program and a private funder, is offering $100 incentive to hunters who bag 3 or more does. In order to qualify for the $100 incentive, hunters must bring at least three confirmed tags belonging to does to the Ag Society for processing. Archery and black powder only.
The Community Deer Cooler is located at The Martha’s Vineyard Agricultural Society (35 Panhandle Rd in West Tisbury). Special thanks to Brian Athearn, Clarence ‘Trip’ Barnes, Joe Capece/Centerline Builders, and the many others who donated goods and services to realize this project.