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 2025 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 and Donation Program will be administered by Patrick Roden-Reynolds this year. Contact him for more information at 540-216-9618.

  • The cooler is open from October 6th–January 31st, 2026.

    • Archery Season: Oct. 6–Nov. 1, 2025
      Shotgun Season: Dec. 1–13, 2025
      Primitive Firearms Season: Dec. 15–Dec. 31, 2025
      Winter Primitive Firearms Season (WMZs 13 and 14 only): Jan. 1 – Jan. 31, 2026*

      * A 2026 hunting license, primitive firearms stamp, and ADPs (if applicable) are required.

    • Hours: Patrick is on call for dropoffs and pickups 7 days a week from 8 AM to 8 PM. Call or text him at 540-216-9618. He can usually meet within 20 minutes.

Deer Cooler Regulations

  • 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.

  • Registration is required.

  • 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.

  • Deer may hang for up to 5 days or longer as long as space is available.

Venison Donation Program

The Venison Donation Program, now a part of MassWildlife's Share the Harvest Program, provides high-quality, protein-rich meals to islanders in need via partnership with the Island Grown Initiative (IGI) through the Island Food Pantry and Kinship Heals. Hunters utilizing the Community Deer Cooler who donate their deer to Share the Harvest Program will have their cooler fee waived. To qualify, carcasses must be 60 lbs. or larger.

New this year: For each whole deer donation, a hunter will receive a no-cost replacement Antlerless Deer Permit in the zone of their choice (WMZ 9, 10, 11, 13, or 14). It may take 2–4 weeks for the permit to be added to the donor's account. For hunters that donate a whole deer before Thanksgiving, we will make every effort to issue replacement permits before the shotgun deer season. Hunters who donate a whole deer after Thanksgiving will receive the replacement permit for the following year. A valid hunting or sporting license is required to utilize the permit each year.

Hunter Registration

Sign up for the Deer Cooler using this link:

ffd8.jpg

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.