Hunting Spots Destroyed?

[khunter#1]

Was anyone's hunting spot destroyed in the Carlton Complex fire.I'm sure my spot is destroyed, but have not had the time to head over there. Do you guys have any pictures of the destruction of the fire in the national forest? Also, how will all these fires affect the hunting season this year? . Thanks

[muleracks]

For maps of the burns I would go to inciweb.nwcg.gov/washington

Not sure how hot the burn was but many times the area will increase carrying capacity following a burn.  It might take 3 or 4 years but it will come back.

[khunter#1]

Thanks for reply, Will check out tat map

[no.cen.wa]

I took a drive from Okanogan (hiway 20)to Twisp and down the Methow(hiway 153) to Carlton. My old hunting camp on Frazer Creek not too far west from the Loop Loop summit was pretty burned up, Jack creek, Smith Canyon, Poll Pick and the WDFW Game range all had fire. There had been 2 good days on rain showers and quite a bit of mud flow in low spots. The fire seemed to have moved fast and many trees where still standing with the needles rusty brown from the fire, don't think they will make it. In the Tripod Fire area many trees where burned so bad the looked like black spears sticking up, with no limbs left. Roads where not gated but I understand they are still closed. To be truthful we really won't know how bad things are till we have access and get up in the woods. I could see some trees that had green needles and may be ok. Many spots were looked like a control burn had gone though, ALL underbrush and grass gone. I hope for a good saoking rain so we can get in the woods and check it out.
 Well thats what I saw, not much help, huh!
              John G.

[singleshot12]

Won't these hunting spots be better than ever in a year or two?

[Skyvalhunter]

Some trails and camping places in the Methow will be opening soon.
http://methowvalleynews.com/2014/08/16/many-forest-areas-recreation-sites-to-reopen-sunday-on-methow-valley-and-tonasket-ranger-districts/

[runamuk]

Won't these hunting spots be better than ever in a year or two?

the areas where it simply burned underbrush yes...the areas where it scorched the earth to the point of looking like a bomb went off and the ground is now sterilized will take longer.  Incineration is not a healthy forest management tool.  So the answer will be yes and no. 

[bobcat]

Won't these hunting spots be better than ever in a year or two?

It may take a little longer than that, but yes, in the future there will again be some great mule deer hunting in the Methow Valley. Just like the Entiat, it burned up in the 90's, and shortly thereafter was putting out many bigger than average bucks.

[bobcat]

Won't these hunting spots be better than ever in a year or two?

It may take a little longer than that, but yes, in the future there will again be some great mule deer hunting in the Methow Valley. Just like the Entiat, it burned up in the 90's, and shortly thereafter was putting out many bigger than average bucks.

[singleshot12]

Yup ya gotta trust in good old Mother Nature for the long term

[Skyvalhunter]

Its not mother nature I am worried about it's the WDFW

[bigmacc]

Its not mother nature I am worried about it's the WDFW

I agree with you Skyvalhunter,but I,m a little concerned about the mother nature part also.If its a mild winter this year and alot of the migrators stay up high or at least at elevations above the burns and arnt pushed lower into the valley by an ugly winter the herd could dodge a potential catastrophy.If its a tough winter with above average snow depths along with cold temps that fluctuate and create those layers of crust, and those conditions stretch down the valley aways this herd will take a beating to the point it will take generations(if at all) to recover.I say this based on things staying the way they are now with predator issues etc. For the lucky ones that do survive a tough winter and are left to pass on the genetics and "rebuild" the herd, the herd is not going to "bounce back" if theres an abundance of things that want to eat them and they themselves are hungry.This is not going to be a quick recovery as some have said,add a tough winter(or 2) and predators who's numbers continue to grow and I,m afraid this herd will never be the same,and far from it...my opinion and my 

[bobcat]

If deer numbers decline drastically, couldn't we expect that predators would do the same?

[BOWHUNTER45]

Yup ya gotta trust in good old Mother Nature for the long term

[bigmacc]

If deer numbers decline drastically, couldn't we expect that predators would do the same?

Once again just my opinion but I,m thinking the predators are gonna be hanging around until theres nothing left to eat, which isnt going to help in "rebuilding"after a tough winter or two (heaven forbid)then some will move out or possibly start going after livestock,pets etc. Once the deer numbers take a hit or there numbers are drastically decreased you,ll probably see a decline in predator numbers,they will move on. All i do know is that an exploding predator population in this valley preying on whats left after a tough winter or two is not going help the recovery effort get a foothold for this herd to begin rebuilding...