Drought and wild fires

[BillyMarkwell]

How have these conditions affected your hunting area? Here in Fl, a big chunk of the state is on fire and the rest is so dry that the swamps have turned to dust bowls. I went out to the local WMA last weekend. Where there should be water, people were riding 4-wheelers and the dust was flying. I know it has to be putting extreme stress on the wildlife population.

[Roadkill]

Nevada is already brown!  I have two helos and two jumbos sitting on the ramp in front of my office awaiting the call as I type this.  I hope those out in the mountians keep their fires under control on this holiday weekend.  Last week this airport was a rodeo-airplanes and helos going off to two different fires and then they called to ask if they could spot the smoke jumpers here this year.  Going to be really busy season for us.  Our deer are migrants and will move, but we burned over 300 million acres (I think that's what Sen Reid said) last year-and that burned area doesn't replensih in only a year. Our deer are in trouble for a lot of reasons, but fire is one.  Sheep, goats , elk and antelope fared well over the winter.

[Donnie]

We get forest fires ALL THE TIME out here on the Pacific Coast (I'm in Oregon,) and in some ways... if you are smart... they can help your hunt.  The fires often times congregate the animals... and since the smell of smoke has permeated the forests... I have found that standing in the smoke of a campfire is some of the greatest "cover scent" known to man.  Especially if you have been sweating a little.

Adapt with the fires... and I think you will be pleasantly surprised!

Donnie