Overview
Deer populations are overabundant throughout much of the eastern United States, including Massachusetts. This overabundance is a direct effect of human influence that eliminated their natural predators and created ideal habitat through urban development. Additionally, hunting efforts have been reduced dramatically in recent decades with fewer people interested in the activity and with greatly reduced acreage on which to hunt.. Excessive vegetation browsing from overabundant deer populations poses a great threat to natural and cultural landscape resiliency/integrity, biodiversity, rare species preservation, and exacerbates the negative impacts of climate change. This over browsing can lead to cascading impacts to our ecosystems and can even result in localized extinction of certain plants and animals.
Currently, hunting is the only practical and permittable means to control deer populations in Massachusetts. As a landowner and conservation organization, The Trustees have recognized the value of hunting for deer management as an effective way to steward our natural resources and ecosystems, landscaping and gardens, and agricultural crops as well as a recreational activity that supports local food. Our hunting policy guides the designation of hunting access. Currently, 71 of our 127 properties allow some form of hunting.
For more information regarding hunting at The Trustees please visit our website.