Deer bow hunting under way in Montgomery

By: Jake Uitti
   MONTGOMERY — Deer bow hunting season has started on various open-space tracts and some large private properties in the township, and will continue through Feb. 17.
   Township officials ask that residents take precautions when hiking in posted areas.
   Pursuant to its deer-management program, the township is allowing limited deer hunting this fall and winter on certain lands, including the Folusiak tract on Hollow Road, just north of the railroad tracks, and the Opatut tract and adjacent land on Route 518 and Pine Brae Drive, among several others.
   Hunting may take place Monday through Saturday, from 1½ hours before sunrise to 1½ hours after sunset, and is not allowed on Sundays or Christmas Day, officials said.
   In related business, township officials said after Labor Day is the time for property owners to protect smaller tree trunks with plastic wrapping or similar materials found in nursery stores, because bucks start scraping the velvet off their antlers now and can inflict damage to exposed tree bark.
   The first two weeks of November are the height of rutting season, officials said, and deer will be on the move. Officials ask that drivers be especially careful at that time. If a deer crosses a vehicle’s path, it is often safest to steer straight and brake as hard as possible. The deer may be confused in its attempts to escape if a motorist swerves erratically.
   For dates of the various types of hunting allowed in Montgomery by state law, such as bow, muzzleloader, firearm and permit shotgun, go to www.nj.gov/dep/fgw/pdf/2006/06-07deer_regs.pdf.
   Questions about the Montgomery Deer Hunting Program may be directed to the planning director or the municipal clerk at (908) 359-8211.