The Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife) sets ecological goals for white-tailed deer populations across the state. MassWildlife conducted a two-day survey of Harvard lands in 2017 and determined that our deer population density was significantly above their goal. This problem has negative effects on forest health, public safety, human and animal health, and crops.
Overabundant deer populations overeat their preferred foods, which limits natural forest regeneration. Native tree species such as oak, maple, aspen, hickory, and hemlock, and native plants like lady’s slipper, wild sarsaparilla, Canada mayflower, Solomon’s seal and maple leaf viburnum are particularly affected. The impact on these species results in habitat loss for birds and other animals that depend on them for food and nesting, and their numbers may decline. Unfortunately, nonpreferred plant species, including invasives like glossy buckthorn, oriental bittersweet, and Japanese barberry thrive where deer are overabundant, creating further imbalance.
Deer overabundance also increases deer-vehicle collisions, a public safety risk, and correlates strongly with black-legged tick abundance and the incidence of Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses.
In addition, deer overabundance leads to crop losses and increased deer mortality due to starvation and disease.
Harvard’s 2016 Master Plan called for the creation of a deer management strategy. In response, the Conservation Commission has created a Deer Management Subcommittee to address the issues described above.
The subcommittee met for the first time in September, and we have begun our task by consulting with experts, assessing deer management programs in other towns, and working with MassWildlife, which recommends regulated hunting as the best way to manage deer populations. Our goal is to develop a safe and effective archery-only hunting program, using a vetted group of experienced hunters, that will take place on selected conservation lands starting in the fall of 2019. We also plan to coordinate with the Harvard Conservation Trust and with private landowners who are interested in participating in this effort.
We encourage your feedback and participation, and we are eager to answer questions and share news with you as this project develops.
Robert Douglas, chair
Paul Willard, Conservation Commission representative
Tom Cotton, Harvard Conservation Trust representative
Jason Cole and Ben Urquhart, Town of Harvard Deer Management Subcommittee
