How will the HOT/DRY conditions effect elk??

[returnofsid]

With the hot and dry conditions that our state has been experiencing this year, how will elk behavior change?  Will they stick to lower elevations, closer to river systems?  Will they stick to higher elevations, where the temperatures seem to be a few degrees cooler?  Will they be more nocturnal? 

How do you plan to alter your hunting tactics, due to the hot, dry conditions?

[Jonathan_S]

Depends on what area/herd you hunt 

They will be in areas where the grass is still palatable (if that exists) and where there is North faces (not the jackets) to bed down and stay relatively cool.  They might be moving out of areas they generally live in due to the lack of groundwater.

Change in tactics?  Move even slower due to crunchy plants and substrates.

I probably wont cold call at all when it's hot and dry 

[returnofsid]

Now the added threat of fire must be added to the equation...dang...

[Bullkllr]

Pretty much all of the exposed south or west facing slopes I have seen are complete toast...wouldn't expect much activity there

[buglebrush]

Heard they are closing the Forest completely by this weekend here in the NE        

[returnofsid]

Heard they are closing the Forest completely by this weekend here in the NE      

I wouldn't be surprised if state lands get closed.  I doubt they'll close National Forests. 

[buglebrush]

Heard they are closing the Forest completely by this weekend here in the NE      

I wouldn't be surprised if state lands get closed.  I doubt they'll close National Forests.

I hope you are right, but a logger who should know told me...   

[Slayerz]

The woods are going to level 4 this Thursday, which means no logging operations until we get some moisture.  This could lead to closing the forests, if they don't want the loggers out there they may not want anyone out there.

[h2ofowlr]

Expect closures in most areas would be my guess.  The elk will probably be feeding through the night and staying were they temperatures are fairly consistent.  May be holding in areas with bogs or natural springs.

[buglebrush]

I actually think the elk will be behaving pretty normal.  It isn't abnormally hot for August at all.  Been a normal July and august it is just that it was already so dry by the end of June.

[huntnnw]

Same as normal around here...its always hot and dry. The water sources are still there they may not have as much water in them but are still flowing

[cryder]

YA RIGHT  ! Keep reading , we will be lucky if they let us hunters leave home, 364 is going to be like the demilitarize zone, and I for one will not be there to be told what, where ,when, and how long by anyone, I for one have been very let down by the combination of mankind confuseing mother nature and fish and feathers takeing advantage of her problems,and don't come on here and say mankind isn't changing mother nature because you will look as stupid as China ( building coal factories as fast AS THEY CAN )

[Jonathan_S]

Same as normal around here...its always hot and dry. The water sources are still there they may not have as much water in them but are still flowing

  It really isn't that much different except a few plants are having a tougher time and are losing leaves etc.  Water has dried up more in a few drainages but there is still water...my experience.

YA RIGHT  ! Keep reading , we will be lucky if they let us hunters leave home, 364 is going to be like the demilitarize zone, and I for one will not be there to be told what, where ,when, and how long by anyone, I for one have been very let down by the combination of mankind confuseing mother nature and fish and feathers takeing advantage of her problems,and don't come on here and say mankind isn't changing mother nature because you will look as stupid as China ( building coal factories as fast AS THEY CAN )

364 will always be that way man. 

[cryder]

364, That's where I learned all that I believe I might know, but that is going on 35 years and Im learning to spend money and time elsewhere but that's were I find those darn tastey critters im after, I believe I need to learn more about the winter hunt up there, this early crap is really getting to be nothing but problems , I don't know if you have read my rants here but don't get me started !

[Jonathan_S]

Everybody has read your rants cryder 

Back to the OP.  Some areas really depend on snow melt for their water sources and THOSE areas are being drastically changed and are pushing big game lower/higher depending on the animal, terrain, and feed requirements.

This just takes some map time and a few days of boot leather to adjust for. 

[boneaddict]

Closing of the woods would effect you and them the most. 

[cryder]

I wonder if anyone is listening ?But it just keeps comeing out on here regardless .

[bearpaw]

The word I heard from local loggers is that everything in the NE is getting shut down Thursday until there is a major weather change. That is second hand info from the loggers who say they were told they must be out of the woods by Thursday. I don't know if that will be statewide, you can probably ask your nearest DNR office!

[elkinrutdrivemenuts]

I have heard that too, a Forester for Idaho Forest Group said Thursday they are done in the woods in NE Washington.  Hopefully it doesn't spread to Idaho with the season right around the corner.  Time will tell

[buglebrush]

The word I heard from local loggers is that everything in the NE is getting shut down Thursday until there is a major weather change. That is second hand info from the loggers who say they were told they must be out of the woods by Thursday. I don't know if that will be statewide, you can probably ask your nearest DNR office!

Exactly what I have been told too...  However, will they for sure keep foot/bike traffic out?  Can anyone confirm?

[huntingbaldguy]

So are we potentially looking at a statewide timber and public land closure by the time the elk season opens?  Late season would be such a zoo if that was the case.

[huntnnw]

The closure is for industrial...not the general public

[bearpaw]

The closure is for industrial...not the general public

I hope your right! But I remember when they shut it all down before and chased everyone out of the woods? I personally think they are farther ahead to have people in the woods to spot fires before they get too big. I definitely do not think it's smart to pull out the loggers, those guys put out more fires than they start and it's handy having that equipment scattered around the mountains.

I have heard that too, a Forester for Idaho Forest Group said Thursday they are done in the woods in NE Washington.  Hopefully it doesn't spread to Idaho with the season right around the corner.  Time will tell

I read on IDFG website that Idaho does not plan to close any hunting seasons.
http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/public/media/viewNewsRelease.cfm?newsID=7791


Nothing posted on WDFW one way or the other about hunting closures!

[buglebrush]

I called the local ranger district, and they said it is still open for driving on open roads.  NO parking except at designated spots ( trail heads, pullouts, etc... )  and absolutely no atvs, chainsaws, etc... 

You would think people would be smart enough not to be running their atv's off roads and trails right now, but I just got done hiking in behind a gate to hang some cameras and some moron is running behind the gate on his dirtbike.  Fair warning:  If you are running behind gates in the NE corner I now have camera's out and will certainly be reporting you.  No patience for that.   

[Bullkllr]

I actually think the elk will be behaving pretty normal.  It isn't abnormally hot for August at all.  Been a normal July and august it is just that it was already so dry by the end of June.

July was the hottest month on record, ever, at least in WWash.

[huntnnw]

There was a memo a few weeks ago on WDFW about the dry conditions and it said they did not anticipate any closures for hunting season.