Bobcat,Should I wait?

[HoofsandWings]

Bobcat, you are the expert in waiting.
As you know there are fires and dry conditions all over eastern WA.
September 29th is the start of big game ML.
Personally, over 30 years of camping and hunting, I like a campfire. Can't do it under present conditions.
Also, the night time temperatures do not look very cool and hunting clothing is for cool temps.
So, should I wait a week?
With the humidity at low levels, is there a risk of firing a cap to clear the barrel? How about firing a round into the dirt at the end of the day?
Ted

[BiggLuke]

well.... the advantage to waiting would be catching the rutt.
The advantage to early, is seeing more game, because it's early and all, and the deer wont be threatened yet....

so, all I can say is, I'm hunting the first day, wheather good or not.

[Heredoggydoggy]

Snapping a cap on an empty barrel won't start a fire.  Shooting int the dirt won't start a fire.  Shooting into dry tinder MIGHT start a fire, but you're right there to stomp it out, right?  The ML season is only barely more than a week long.  Make the most of it.  Just use your head! 

[Natas5150]

I wouldn't wait. Early is a great time to hunt regardless of the weather. Like it was posted in here in a early post if you hunt early you may see more game because of less pressure during the season. I wouldn't let the dryness of the season keep you from hunting. You actually have a greater chance of starting a brush fire with a cigarette than that of a muzzle loader being fired into the dirt I would think. Just gotta use your head. The only thing is if you do hunt early and this weather holds, it may feel like summer rather than fall which some can't stand. Some I know associate hunting with cool fall like days and not 80 to 90 degree summer temps. Good luck to you in what ever season you do decide to hunt, early or late

[HoofsandWings]

I wouldn't wait. Early is a great time to hunt regardless of the weather. Like it was posted in here in a early post if you hunt early you may see more game because of less pressure during the season. I wouldn't let the dryness of the season keep you from hunting. You actually have a greater chance of starting a brush fire with a cigarette than that of a muzzle loader being fired into the dirt I would think. Just gotta use your head. The only thing is if you do hunt early and this weather holds, it may feel like summer rather than fall which some can't stand. Some I know associate hunting with cool fall like days and not 80 to 90 degree summer temps. Good luck to you in what ever season you do decide to hunt, early or late

I have late permits for bucks and cows. I would like to get a bull or a buck not in rut. There are crossover seasons this fall.

[bobcat]

Are you talking about deer hunting? I assume so, since deer opens on the 29th and elk, a week later, on Oct 6th.

For deer I definitely would not wait. It's best to get in your deer hunting before the elk hunters hit the woods. Unless you're in an area that has no elk. But even then I see no reason to wait a week. The weather may not change in a week's time anyway.

Just think, if you can't have a campfire you will get more sleep and you won't stink like smoke when you wake up in the morning.

[HoofsandWings]

I am sure the 5 hunters in the 3 square mile area that I hunt will not spook the game during that week.
The deer get used to those guys roaring back and forth along the forest roads on their dirt bikes.
I have never seen those hunters in the woods. They also grouse hunt and they start prior to deer season. Last year, one guy bragged to me it only took him 18 tries with his 22 pistol to hit a grouse that was standing still.
The elk are about 20 miles away. I have never seen an elk or track in 20 years where I deer hunt.
So I am fairly confident coming a week later will not make a difference. I like it to be cooler since my sleeping bag is rated for 20 below.
During modern rifle season, I have to restrict the area I hunt due to a group of 4 guys who all have black rifles. Talk about a lot of lead flying. Visualize a deer with 10-15 holes in it.

[Kioti]

Muzzy season is way too short to miss any time out in the field, no matter what the weather conditions are.  I wouldn't worry about starting a fire with your smoke pole over there.  Like the man said...I think more fires are started by smokers then us front stuffers.
Might be time to go out and get some light weight camo for this time of year.
Remember when you get your animal, watch the meat and this kind of temperature, it can go south in a hurry.
Of the years out muzzy hunting we never have a fire....no way.  Don't like stinking up our hunting area and us with the stink of smoke.

Just got back from scouting for muzzy elk season over there and its really tinder out there. 
Be smart and think smart and you'll have a blast.

[HoofsandWings]

Just got back from scouting for muzzy elk season over there and its really tinder out there. 
Be smart and think smart and you'll have a blast.

I always get jealous when I read about scouting. Due to schedule, scouting and hunting start on the same day.