Working together to make Martha's Vineyard safer from tick-borne disease and allergies.
A science-based, Island-wide effort that includes bringing the deer herd into ecological balance, alongside other proven interventions, to significantly reduce the Island’s tick population and address a growing public health crisis.
For the Hunting Community
Hunter Incentives
Donate your deer and help your community; addressing food insecurity and reducing tick-borne illnesses
This initiative supports MassWildlife’s Hunters Share the Harvest program, supplying venison to food pantries across Massachusetts. Local processing partners include the Island Grown Initiative and the Martha’s Vineyard Hunt Club — which processed over 6,000 venison meals last season alone. Learn more about the Venison Donation Program here with the MV Agricultural Society.
$150 for every Doe donated and $100 for every Buck donated. Incentives apply to each whole animal checked in to the Community Deer Cooler and donated to the Share the Harvest program. Sponsored by Tick Free Martha’s Vineyard
COOLER RULES & COMMUNITY GUIDELINES
DROP-OFF CONDITION:
Field-dressed, skin on, legs cut off at knees (legs can be cut off upon arrival).
TAGGING:
Properly tagged with the confirmation number written clearly on a visible field tag.
FREE REPLACEMENT PERMIT:
For each whole deer donated, the hunter will receive a no-cost replacement Antlerless Deer Permit valid for any of the following zones: 1, 3, 4S, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, or 14.
For every two whole deer donated in zones 13 and 14 (Vineyard & Nantucket), the hunter will receive a no-cost replacement Either-Sex Permit that will be valid for use in only zones 13 and 14
LOCATION:
Community Deer Cooler (Maintained by the MV Agricultural Society)
WHERE:
Behind the Ag Hall, off Panhandle Road, West Tisbury. Look for the big blue deer mural.
SCHEDULED DROP-OFFS:
Schedule your deer drop-off, text Patrick Roden-Reynolds (MV Tick Program, and Tick Biologists) at 540-216-9618 between the hours of 8:00 AM and 8:00 PM during hunting season.
Deer Season Kick Off Party
Deer Season Kick Off Party at The PA Club
Join us Thursday October 1st, 5 -7pm at The PA Club to celebrate the start of the deer hunting season.
Learn about new hunting opportunities and the 2026-2027 Hunter Incentive Program. Join MassWildlife deer biologist Martin Feehan, Tick Biologist and Executive Director of MV Tick Program Patrick Rroden- Reynolds, Tick Free MV's Virginia Barbattie, Dick Johnson and Blake Wasson, as well as others.
We will have raffles fro Reedy's, LL Bean, Cabella's; food from Mo's Lunch, and other giveaways.
The hunting community is a vital part of a healthy Vineyard!
For any questions please reach out to info@tickfreemv.org
Contacts
Who should I contact?
Deer Donations:
Text Patrick Roden-Reynolds at 540-216-9618 between the hours of 8:00 AM and 8:00 PM during hunting season.
TFMV Deer and Hunting Question:
Email Blake Wassom, at Blake@tickfreemv.org
For State Related Questions and Regulations:
Email Martin Feehan at martin.feehan@mass.gov