Non-Typical Solutions Report post Posted August 9, 2011 While I was up in Alpine last week I went ahead and visited the FS office there to check on open roads up there. They have a large map hung on the wall there showing the "Proposed" access for hunting this fall. It shows three areas that are going to be completely closed for 1-5 years. One area is the Bear Wallow Wilderness area of course. Another is Escudilla Terry Flats area The third is somewhere inbetween, I didn't look close enough on that one but I bet it is Middle Mountain area but not sure about that. Anybody else seen that map??? The lady told me over and over that it was a "Proposal" and not yet been approved. One thing that was funny, I was asking about south of Strayhorse to see if I could go hiking down there. "Sir, the entire Apache-Sitgreaves forest is closed. I know there was no fire there but the entire forest is Closed!!!" Yes Ma'm............ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cohofishing Report post Posted August 9, 2011 My daughter has the youth cow tag for unit one. After I read your post, I went to the Apache-sitgreaves web site. There is a map as of August 4th of areas and roads that are open for use. They expect that more areas will open on August 15th. There are areas that are closed till further notice which covers one of the areas I planned to hunt but nowhere could I find that the whole forest is closed. Brent Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Non-Typical Solutions Report post Posted August 9, 2011 My daughter has the youth cow tag for unit one. After I read your post, I went to the Apache-sitgreaves web site. There is a map as of August 4th of areas and roads that are open for use. They expect that more areas will open on August 15th. There are areas that are closed till further notice which covers one of the areas I planned to hunt but nowhere could I find that the whole forest is closed. Brent There were several people who came in while I was gleening information and they were there for permits to travel for example to Sprucedale because they had rented a cabin there. Big Lake road is "open" for travel but you are not to go out hiking in the forest. She assured me they were working hard to get the forest "open" for hunters and such but that I would suffer a $5000.00 fine if I were to get caught hiking around in any part of the Apache-Sitgreaves forest. Good luck on your youth cow tag, I have a 27 whitetail deer tag and looking forward to getting back out in the hills. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cohofishing Report post Posted August 9, 2011 www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5321920.pdf www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5322026.pdf Here's the links to the info. Like I said, this all changed as of August 4th and they expect more to open by August 15th. Good luck on your 27 tag. I had a 27 December tag about ten years ago. It's a good hunt. Brent Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cohofishing Report post Posted August 9, 2011 http://www.fs.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsinternet/!ut/p/c4/04_SB8K8xLLM9MSSzPy8xBz9CP0os3gDfxMDT8MwRydLA1cj72BTFxdjAwjQL8h2VAQAlu7VZA!!/?ss=110301&navtype=BROWSEBYSUBJECT&cid=7992&navid=120000000000000&pnavid=null&position=Alerts&ttype=alerts&pname=Apache%20and%20Sitgreaves%20National%20Forests-%20Alerts%20&%20Notices I thought that would work but it didn't. Maybe this will. Brent Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Non-Typical Solutions Report post Posted August 12, 2011 That was some good information, thanks, especially the FAQ's section of your link. Scary thing is though I really didn't get to see much map of Unit 27? Am I not doing something right or is it just not ready for public access yet??? Thanks for the link. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
elkrack Report post Posted August 13, 2011 the information available on the forest website is what is currently open which is everything north of roads 88b, 249 and 116. about August 15th the rest of the forest will be open except for those areas of very high burn severity, most of us don't want to be in there anyway. AZGFD is working with the forest to secure access as quickly as possible. The forest has been both cooperative and reacted favorably in this access issue. there are a lot of hazzards in this area they have to assess along the way to granting access to additional areas. they should actually be commended for how quickly they have been working through ALL of the significant issues. All of you with unit 1 and 27 tags will have access to most areas and certainly areas that contain elk. I personally doubt many elk will willing venture into those severely burned areas, once you get a chance to see them you will understand. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bigorange Report post Posted August 17, 2011 http://azgfd.net/artman/publish/NewsMedia/New-updates-on-access-to-areas-of-Units-1-and-27-in-the-Wallow-Fire-perimeter.shtml AZGFD just posted an update... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
