The Heat Is On…And The Hunt Might Be Off!

Planning a big hunt out west this fall?   Have you been paying attention to the weather recently where you plan to do your hunting?   Truth is, many hunters are sadly learning that unless some big changes come about in the weather patterns…and it happens soon…the dream hunt to some western prairie state might remain just that — a dream.

Seriously, I spoke to one hunter yesterday who is deeply concerned about his upcoming hunts both in Montana and in New Mexico.   To his knowledge nothing has officially closed quite yet…but he’s already bracing himself for the real possibility of that happening.   Right now things don’t look good over much of the West as dry, hot conditions are simply making it too dangerous for hunters to be roaming the tinder-dry lands.   When ranch-land gets dry the ranchers get real nervous…and so, too, do the foresters who want to keep fires out of their districts.

In fact, things have gotten so bad out in Washington and Oregon that Weyerhaeuser has set up a special toll-free hotline so the recreational users on their company lands can now access the latest information on where closures might be initiated.   No matter where you’re planning to hunt this fall it might be a good idea to check now with officials to start preparing for what could happen in the weeks to come.

Rumor has it that some Indian reservations out in South Dakota and Wyoming have already closed off their lands this summer to prairie dog shooters due to the extreme fire danger that is present.

Certainly I’m not trying to be a pessimist here, but you need to know if you’re hunting several states away just what the conditions are there right now.   It might change the way you are allowed to hunt this fall (i.e. no 4–wheelers or off road vehicles) or it could involve the outright closure of lands you were planning on to be open.   Most hunts are an investment not only of your money, but also your time…so plan ahead and stay current with what is happening even if it’s still several weeks until you pack the trailer and start heading west.

© 2006 Jim Braaten.  All Rights Reserved.   No Reproduction without Prior Permission.