In New England, white-tailed deer populations were historically kept in check by predators such as wolves and mountain lions. However, as the population of these predators declined due to pressures like hunting and development, deer populations began to rise beyond sustainable levels. Although coyotes are still well established in the area, their presence is not enough to restore the current ecological imbalance between predator and prey populations. The resulting overabundance of white-tailed deer in Andover is now severely impacting habitats for native plants and animals due to heavy browse in the forest understory. According to Mass Audubon, some of the ecological impacts of deer overabundance include:

• The thinning of shrubs and groundcover, which removes plants that are necessary for the habitat of insects and nesting birds. Several bird species that nest in the lower reaches of forests are now declining in Massachusetts.
• Reduced biodiversity of native plants and shrubs. Deer prefer to eat native species, leaving behind only a few that are resistant to browse and enabling the spread of invasive plants. A less-diverse forest is more vulnerable to stresses such as climate change.
• The loss of tree seedlings and saplings that would become the next generation of canopy trees. Without seedling and sapling trees, large trees that are periodically lost to age and storms will not be replaced, which slowly diminishes the health of our forests.

By allowing bow hunting on some of our properties, we hope to help restore the ecological balance of our forests and protect the plants and animals that are being significantly impacted by deer overabundance.