Lyme Disease Study Committee Reports on Deer Problem in Medfield

The Medfield Lyme Disease Study Committee Chairman Chris Kaldy updated the Board of Selectmen on the committee's activities, and the damage area deer -- which carry ticks with Lyme Disease -- are causing in town. 

Kaldy reported the deer continue to damage the town's ecological system and said that, the average number of car collisions with deer in Medfield has been 46 per year over the past five years. 

"We have not had any fatalities...but it's certainly a possibility," Kaldy said, noting that Medfield's rate of deer per square mile is higher than the state average.

"In our zone, the route 128 circle around Boston...it's an average of 25 to 30 deer per square mile but, based on the number of car collisions [that are reported to the Animal Control Officer], our estimate would be higher -- somewhere between 20 and 38," she said. 

The committee has expanded its mandate to increase its mandate as it relates to the public education aspect and Medfield's deer culling program. 

"We're doing this because we feel it's important, as part of this population management of deer, that we let people know there are other reasons for us to do this [deer culling program], it's not just because of ticks," Kaldy said, adding the overabundance of deer has created an environmental threat.

Kaldy said the deer are decimating Medfield's conservation lands, taking away habitats of other species like birds and other small animals, and ruining the forest's understory which is allowing invasive species to take root. 

Selectmen said they were concerned to learn about the environmental damage the deer are causing to the community, in addition to their role in spreading Lyme disease.

Town Administrator Michael Sullivan said ticks are now spreading more tick-borne diseases.

"There are four or five other diseases, some of which are worse than Lyme disease," he said. 

Kaldy said Medfield's deer culling program has been successful, and yielded 28 deer in 2011 and 27 in 2012. 

If homeowners are interested in having bow hunters on their property, they can contact the Lyme Disease Study Committee through the office of the Board of Selectmen. 

How Does It Work? 

According to the town's "FAQ for the Medfield 2012 Deer Culling Program:"

When is the season? The season will run Oct. 15 through Dec. 31.

How is deer reduction linked to Lyme disease? Reducing deer populations has shown to reduce the risk of getting Lyme Disease.  Lyme disease has been increasing and poses a significant health risk to the residents of Medfield and surrounding towns.  Deer are a key part in the life cycle of deer ticks which carry Lyme disease.  Multiple studies have shown a strong link between large deer populations and the incidents of Lyme disease. Conversely, when deer populations have been reduced, Lyme disease has been reduced. The Board of Selectmen asked the Lyme Disease Study Committee to look into what Medfield can do to further protect the town’s residents.  The Committee recommends that we reduce the size of the deer herd to the level that the state recommends. 
 
Are hunters going to be walking in my back yard? No. Hunters will be restricted to fixed positions in areas where land owners have agreed to allow hunting. Tree stands will be used so that hunters will be shooting down towards the ground.
 
Can a hunter hunt in my backyard? All hunters must follow MassWildlife rules and regulations, which prohibit the discharge of a bow or arrow within 500 feet of a house unless written permission is obtained from the homeowner. 
 
Will hunters be using guns? No, only bow and arrow hunting is allowed.
 
How are hunters selected?  Hunters were interviewed and approved by Committee members.  All hunters underwent a background check by the Medfield Police Department and have passed a proficiency test.  A limited number of hunters were selected.
 
What if I want someone to hunt on my property?  Contact the Medfield Lyme Disease Study Committee and your parcel of land may be considered for the program.
 
Are land owners or the town liable for accidents? The Massachusetts statute (Chapter 21, Section 17C) protects landowners from liability for “personal injuries or property damage sustained by such members of the public” when they permit the public to use their land for “recreational, conservation, scientific, educational, environmental, ecological, research, religious, or charitable purposes without imposing a charge or fee…”
 
Is hunting permitted seven days a week? No. There is no hunting permitted on Sundays.