DEER, OH DEER
On my way home the other night, as I turned into our dirt lane off Madaket Road, I passed one of my neighbors with a stack of placards and a power drill in his hand. Curious about his task, I stopped the car and rolled down the window.

Turns out he was posting our road with new "No Trespassing" signs. A couple of old signs have survived the ravages of wind and weather, but they are no longer adequately explicit to hunters who seem increasingly drawn to our area. Earlier on this particular day, a lone archer, clad in camo gear, had strolled down our road, obviously in search of a stand from which to hunt. His action alarmed my neighbor, precipitating his call to action.

I have to give this expectant hunter credit for the right instincts. This time of year the houses along our road are sparsely populated and we do have a fair number of deer that pass through the neighborhood. I have seen a magnificently-antlered buck several times in my own yard. In fact, I almost ran into him with my car the other night as he stood, stock still, in my driveway. Several other deer, of varying sizes and genders, migrate through my back yard as well. I see them, nonchalantly munching foliage and flowers and find their evidence in my shredded plants, even on the back deck.

While I admire the quiet beauty of the deer, I am also aware that their increasing abundance on an island with defined borders, coupled with a decreasing habitat, presents an ultimate threat to their healthy survival. It is also no secret that the presence of deer plays a major role in the perpetuation of the deer tick, the tiny but lethal carrier of several debilitating diseases that impact both people and pets.

I am not opposed to hunters, particularly those serious sportsmen who hunt for food. Most of us are far removed from the primal and intimate process of putting food on the table, but all of the meat we eat, and the food and many of the treats we offer our pets, originates with a live animal that has to be killed. Allowing responsible hunting practices to help control our wild game populations is a sensible, and controlled, opportunity for our hunters.

The key word here is responsible. The stereotypical wild-eyed, brash and reckless hunter is not welcome here or anywhere else. But like it or not, we are now in the midst of the state-sanctioned hunting season, and, as pet owners, we need to be aware of hunting practices to protect ourselves and our pets during the next few weeks.

Archery season for deer always slips in unnoticed, but it is for six weeks which began October 15 and lasts until November 24, during which time hunting of certain waterfowl and game birds is also permitted. Shotgun season for deer is November 26 to December 8, followed by muzzeloader through December 31.

For your information, I have included a table with the most significant hunting dates that you might want to post in a handy spot, but a brief review of the rules and regulations will help you be informed.

Both public and private lands on the island are open for hunting. Many private landowners make their properties available to hunters, so you need to assume that hunters can access any lands that are not posted. Most of the land open for hunting is owned by the Nantucket Conservation Foundation, and much of that property, over 8,700 acres, is habitat for the white-tailed deer, including popular pedestrian destinations that receive year-round use, such as parts of Sanford Farm. Properties closed to hunting are conspicuously posted.

In short, hunting is permitted from 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset, except for waterfowl, which ends at sunset, and for rabbit and hare, which ends at midnight. Hunters cannot hunt on posted land without landowner permission, or hunt on Sunday. Hunting on any land not conspicuously posted is allowed except within 150 feet of a paved roadway, or within 500 feet of a dwelling in use.

State law prohibits carrying a loaded shotgun in a vehicle. Any use of alcohol or intoxication while hunting is against the law. 500 square inches of "hunter orange" is required except during archery season, or when hunting waterfowl from a blind or boat.

If you need to report a violation, contact the Environmental Police (508-257-6932), call the nonemergency number for the Nantucket Police (508-228- 1212) or the State Police (508-228-0706). Avoid confrontation; hunter harassment is against the law. Put orange collars or vests on your pets, add a noisy bell, confine your walks to bike paths and beach, or wait until Sunday, and we can all get through this season safely.

Jan Jaeger is owner of Geronimo's, Ltd., Nantucket's pet supply and gift shop, and is a member of DWAA and CWA (Dog and Cat Writer's Associations of America). Her pets at home are Junior, a Chesapeake Bay Retriever, and three cats. At the shop are cats Messrs. Fish and Chips, Flower bunny, Millie guinea pig and two budgies. Send email to jan@geronimos.com. I