If your normal area is closed because of the fires for your chosen season...

[BuckHunter23]

I'm curious what some of you will do.  Do you all have backup areas?  Would you just pick another area and hope for the best?  or would you just chalk it up as a lost season and start planning for next year?

I'm also curious to hear your thoughts about someone just choosing an alternate area that they've never hunted before.  Would you consider this idea something similar to a person putting in for a special permit for an area they've never scouted or hunted before?  Would you be upset if your area saw an influx of hunters who chose to move units?  With the current closure areas and the lack of forecasted weather, I think some of these areas will be shut down for the entire season.  We could see tons of displaced hunters looking for a new spot to hunt this year.  Hopefully most of us have a backup plan or old spots we can go back to, but there has to be a large number that don't and will just be heading in blind come the opener.

Let's hear your thoughts!

[deerhunter_98520]

Im going to have to hunt unfamiliar places...all the areas i hunt is private timber co. And its all closed now so im screwed...gonna try to get out this weekend to scout a new spot

[jjdavis2222]

Hunt Montana. Still tags avaiable.

[hunter360]

I'd be hunting no matter what. Not hunting is not an option. If my backup area's were closed too, then I'd be hunting anywhere that is open. 

[Jrzbullelk]

I'm going to wait it out and if the opener comes and its still closed ill go to the closest GMU open and wing it although i did give Montana a thought 

[golfguy0912]

I would probably hunt the closest area. One choice does not make sense though. If your area is closed due to fires, how do you "Take my chances and hunt it anyway."

[huntnphool]

 If given the opportunity I would return my license for a full refund, I only purchased my license to apply for permits anyway, and since I didn't draw I really have no interest in hunting the BS general dates they came up with for this three year set anyway. If I could I would apply for my permits without purchasing a license, and just not hunt if I didn't draw, like I do for elk now anyway.

[grundy53]

Hunt a different area. Preferably one I'm familiar with. If that isn't an option I would hunt an area I'm unfamiliar with. Think of it as armed scouting. At least this way you will have more options in the future. I always have a plan b or c or d....  . As far as it being like putting in for special draws without knowing the area, I don't think so since you are not depriving someone else of the opportunity to hunt there....

[BuckHunter23]

I would probably hunt the closest area. One choice does not make sense though. If your area is closed due to fires, how do you "Take my chances and hunt it anyway."

Meaning, if your area is closed due to fire danger, would you hunt it anyway and take the chance of getting caught by the authorities in the area.  I'm sure there are those out there that would.  Same principle behind those that drive behind closed gates or take their ATV into areas they are restricted from.

Things aren't looking good for anything getting reopened that has already been closed.  And most other areas have burn bans in effect, eliminating the ability to have campfires or wood burning stoves for wall tents.  Gonna be a year to remember for sure, and for all the wrong reasons.  Just gonna have to make the most of what we have available to us.

[bobcat]

Should be a great year for late season archery and muzzleloader hunters.

[golfguy0912]

I would probably hunt the closest area. One choice does not make sense though. If your area is closed due to fires, how do you "Take my chances and hunt it anyway."

Meaning, if your area is closed due to fire danger, would you hunt it anyway and take the chance of getting caught by the authorities in the area.  I'm sure there are those out there that would.  Same principle behind those that drive behind closed gates or take their ATV into areas they are restricted from.

Things aren't looking good for anything getting reopened that has already been closed.  And most other areas have burn bans in effect, eliminating the ability to have campfires or wood burning stoves for wall tents.  Gonna be a year to remember for sure, and for all the wrong reasons.  Just gonna have to make the most of what we have available to us.

I honestley didnt even think about that option. I would hope that people wouldnt do that but your right, they trespass all the time.

I know that in the Entiat areas that are closed, there are sandwich boards placed in the middle of the road blocking entrance to it with stop signs and state that the area is closed to fire danger. One thing that people probably dont think of is that the Game Department, Sherriff's office, and Forest Service Law Enforcement are behind the closure areas making sure people stay out. I know earlier in sepetember someone drove past a closure area near wenatchee, and the sherriff's office stated that they were filing charges for driving past a barricade on a closed road.


And I do agree, the late muzzleloader and archery tags might be good this year. Maybe it was a good thing that my dad and I both got late buck tags over here.

[grundy53]

Should be a great year for late season archery and muzzleloader hunters.

  another perk of having the multi season tag.... flexability...