couesbowhunter1 Report post Posted May 9, 2012 Is it badly damaged? How is the deer, turkey, and elk population? Post some pics of it if you have em. Thanks guys. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Snapshot Report post Posted May 13, 2012 I don't know, but I am curious as well. I have not been up there since I got back from Montana. But if all goes well, I was thinking about going up there camping for a few days over memorial weekend. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Couzer Report post Posted May 13, 2012 Very very bad! Hunters should stay away for a long long time! I will keep an eye on it in the mean while. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Big Tub Report post Posted May 13, 2012 Only about 30% of the total burn was really bad. The elk and deer are going to do really well with all the new feed. We lost all the poult turkey but they should come back well this year and in the future. Escudilla was really torched -- that will take a long time. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pine Donkey Report post Posted May 13, 2012 There is still a lot of beautiful country left. In much of the severe burn areas the reseeded grass came in thick before the winter. Also, in much of the highest country the aspen are already taking off, however, the elk sure like young tender aspen shoots. In general the flat stuff is not too bad, but the steeper hillsides took it pretty hard. As you drive through the area, just don't look up. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Coach Report post Posted May 14, 2012 I've been in there quite a bit after the fire. Some areas got hammered, but overall, it looks really healthy. I'm heart-sick over the loss of the sheep around Buffalo crossing. From what I've seen they took it the worst. The deer, elk, turkey and bear are all thriving, from what I've seen. After seeing the Rodeo/Chedeski fire pretty much demolish unit 3C, and watching the animals rebound, I think the burned areas in unit 1 and 27 will produce some of the best hunting we've seen in those areas in a long time. I already know people who are starting to save their deer bonus points in anticipation that it will become a premier mule deer destination in the years to come. As much as I hate seeing so much of the area burned so badly, I really think the wildlife is going to flourish in the wake of the fire. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pine Donkey Report post Posted May 14, 2012 I've been in there quite a bit after the fire. Some areas got hammered, but overall, it looks really healthy. I'm heart-sick over the loss of the sheep around Buffalo crossing. From what I've seen they took it the worst. The deer, elk, turkey and bear are all thriving, from what I've seen. After seeing the Rodeo/Chedeski fire pretty much demolish unit 3C, and watching the animals rebound, I think the burned areas in unit 1 and 27 will produce some of the best hunting we've seen in those areas in a long time. I already know people who are starting to save their deer bonus points in anticipation that it will become a premier mule deer destination in the years to come. As much as I hate seeing so much of the area burned so badly, I really think the wildlife is going to flourish in the wake of the fire. No doubt this will be true, but all the rules about these units have changed. The old favorite trails between bedding and feeding areas may not be used anymore. Those who drew tags need to put hours in rather than just relying on their traditional hot spots. Also, many roads are currently closed. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pine Donkey Report post Posted May 14, 2012 I've been in there quite a bit after the fire. Some areas got hammered, but overall, it looks really healthy. I'm heart-sick over the loss of the sheep around Buffalo crossing. From what I've seen they took it the worst. The deer, elk, turkey and bear are all thriving, from what I've seen. After seeing the Rodeo/Chedeski fire pretty much demolish unit 3C, and watching the animals rebound, I think the burned areas in unit 1 and 27 will produce some of the best hunting we've seen in those areas in a long time. I already know people who are starting to save their deer bonus points in anticipation that it will become a premier mule deer destination in the years to come. As much as I hate seeing so much of the area burned so badly, I really think the wildlife is going to flourish in the wake of the fire. Coach, Glad you and your boys were able to get into some turkeys. There has been so much talk of the turkeys being hit real hard by the fire. Did you fill your last tag yet? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Coach Report post Posted May 18, 2012 Hey Pine Donkey, we had a BLAST hunting turkey this year. I took Matt out the other day in hopes of filling his tag, but it was really dead. To make things worse, the slate call I took out was completely worn out and every time I started getting a good sequence in, the odd "squack" would happen. I felt really bad about that. I'm no great turkey caller, but it seems that it only takes one bad mishap to really mess things up. It can sound all natural and attractive, but the second one squeak or squack sounds funky, they get really leary and won't come in unless they are totally "love drunk". I'm really happy that Josh and Nick were able to get their birds this year, but it just didn't come together with Matt, and at least part of that was my fault. He could have killed about 1 second after Josh shot his bird, but he was not prepared for the second Tom to fly straight up when Josh shot. I do feel bad that his little brothers got to take the easy shots, and by the time they were done, the hunting got a lot harder. But I'll tell you what, that guy is really getting an education in turkey hunting, and he can now call as well using just his mouth as many of us can do with slates, diaphrams and box calls. And he is passionate about it. He's gonna kill a lot of birds as he matures as a hunter, because every time we are out there, he is so focused on learning their behavior, habits and communication, he is growing as a hunter in ways I never did at his age. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
elkrack Report post Posted May 18, 2012 Is it badly damaged? How is the deer, turkey, and elk population? Post some pics of it if you have em. Thanks guys. The area is beginning the road to recovery, many of the browse species have resprouted, a lot of grasses and of course the aspens. Even though elk and deer like aspens there are enough it will not matter. the seeding they did seems ot be inhibiting some growth but has stabilized the soils. deer and elk will respond well. the turkey population was mostly lost, they will recover but it will take time. Show up for the AES work weekend June 9th, we will be rolling fence up, a lot of old burned dangerous fence to be removed! You can see for yourself how things are coming along and help improve wildlife habitat. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AntlerObsession Report post Posted May 20, 2012 I was up there yesterday below the rim, but still in the burn, and saw 3 groups of turkey, 1 solo, a pair and about 6 all together. A pleasant sight considering how hard they got hit. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
idgaf Report post Posted May 21, 2012 Life Goes on and unit one/twenty seven will recover here are some random pics from some of the "most" burned areas. No intentions whatsoever of highjacking the thread Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AntlerObsession Report post Posted May 21, 2012 What's with the buck laying down? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
