Deer Management Report, Rebel's Party This Week

Tuesday's Bernards  meeting agenda includes acceptance of this year's deer management advisory committee report, which recommends the extension of this year's deer hunting season from mid February thru end of March 2013, as had been done in the winter of 2012.

The same report, which said that the deer harvest this year was 12 percent lower this year than the year before, for a number of reasons, is also scheduled to be placed before the Environmental Commission on Monday night.

Even with the extended season, the New Jersey Division of Fish & Wildlife reported that 374 deer had been harvested in 2012, compared with 436 in 2011.

The report notes that Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease [EHD] infected and killed many deer in the area the past year. "This reduced the overall deer population and hunting opportunities," the report said. It added, "Sick, dying, and dead deer are not pleasant to see, but EHD poses no health risk to humans."

The report from the deer management advisory committee is dated August 7.

The Environmental Commission is scheduled to meet at 7 p.m. on Monday at town hall at 1 Collyer Lane, Basking Ridge. Also coming up this week:

• Among its other activities, the is scheduled to present, "Kindles, Nooks & iPads, Oh My!" to assist library patrons in using library e-books, to be presented at 5 p.m. on Tuesday. The library is at 32 S. Maple Ave.

• The Township Committee is scheduled to meet in the courtroom at town hall at 8 p.m. on Tuesday.

• Rebel, the Pony, will be the official host of his annual birthday get-together, now know as Rebel the Pony's Special Event, to be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. next Sunday at 256 S. Maple Ave., Basking Ridge. Rebel is a miniature horse who gives lead line pony rides to the smallest of the children who visit Lord Stirling Stable. He is just under 10 hands high, about the size of a St. Bernard. He loves to be petted and spoiled, and always enjoys being the center of attention, according to Lord Stirling Stable.

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