Summer weather effect fall hunting

[Billy74]

So what does all this heat mean for the fall.  I could see fires burning well into fall and drought killing some animals.  Are you doing any extra planning in case you need alternatives do to crazy summer weather.


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[Stein]

This year I don't have a trip planned until November, so zero changes in my plans.  Fires are a huge concern and that can mess up a bunch of stuff in August and September and even later as I found out last tag I drew when they closed probably half or more of the unit I had a permit for.

I don't think one week will have a tremendous impact on big game, but that could be wrong.

[Weatherby92]

Bluetongue is my main concern with this kind of summer. I'm not a biologist by any means but it seems like these long, hot, dry summers are the recipe for bluetongue to knock out the whitetails.

[highcountry_hunter]

Bluetongue is my main concern with this kind of summer. I'm not a biologist by any means but it seems like these long, hot, dry summers are the recipe for bluetongue to knock out the whitetails.

Bingo. I believe it was 2015 when the whole state was on fire and the blue tongue was devastating in NE Wa. Every where you went you’d catch a whiff of dead deer, even the town deer in colville were giving up the ghost and half the town smelled like dead deer

[BAR C3]

There isn’t many white tails left to kill!
I haven’t seen one around my place in at least 3 years in farmland west of Spokane.
Yet game department continues to give out 750 permits to hunt them.
This will wipe out whatever is left around here.

[Timberstalker]

Who says it is gonna be a long, hot summer?

[HornHoarder]

There isn’t many white tails left to kill!
I haven’t seen one around my place in at least 3 years in farmland west of Spokane.
Yet game department continues to give out 750 permits to hunt them.
This will wipe out whatever is left around here.

    It's sad to see what has happened to our whitetails. I was starting to see a few here and there, and was hoping they were on the rebound, but another year of blue tongue has me worried.

[Mfowl]

I don't have any permits or major hunts planned beyond OTC general. I am not convinced the summer is lost just yet but I will revisit it in late August. I am worried about the fire danger especially this coming weekend though.

[HornHoarder]

I have a september elk hunt planned for Idaho, and fires, or fire closures also have me a little worried.

[Farmer72]

There isn’t many white tails left to kill!
I haven’t seen one around my place in at least 3 years in farmland west of Spokane.
Yet game department continues to give out 750 permits to hunt them.
This will wipe out whatever is left around here.

    It's sad to see what has happened to our whitetails. I was starting to see a few here and there, and was hoping they were on the rebound, but another year of blue tongue has me worried.

We were starting to see more whitetails last year finally but if it is a hot dry summer bluetongue is a threat this year. I am hoping it isn't bad enough for bluetongue to hit the deer. That and I hope there isn't a bad fire season for my Colockum bull tag.

[Seabass]

Bluetongue is my main concern with this kind of summer. I'm not a biologist by any means but it seems like these long, hot, dry summers are the recipe for bluetongue to knock out the whitetails.

The white tail in NE Washington are making a pretty good comeback. Another round of blue tongue would set them back again. Let’s hope it doesn’t happen.

[huntnnw]

blue tongue low in farm lands. Mountain country is rarely effected

[nwwanderer]

The vector for blue tongue, a little dinky fly, midge to be more accurate, will not be around much in these conditions.  Temp stress and an extended summer hunger period may be worse than EHD, blue tongue.

[Weatherby92]

blue tongue low in farm lands. Mountain country is rarely effected

I tend to disagree with that statement but its all based off the definition of "mountain country".
I saw plenty of effects from it at 5k feet in 2015.

[Rutnbuxnbulls]

My understanding of the blue tongue was that it was easily promoted at still water locations.  If the animals are drinking at running water, less likelihood of getting it.  Anyone know if this is true? 

[buckfvr]

Stagnant water stays warmer than running water and generally over night temps are higher in lower elevations.  So cold running water at higher elevations will result in less affected animals.  Extended forecast calls for warmer than normal temps this month and I suspect it will hold much of the same for august.

Make no mistake, there will be areas that get hit hard, but by the nature of the diverse habitat, valleys and mountains in n.e.wa., there will also be areas untouched by the disease.

If we dont get a break over here, my guess is there will be some delays related to opening seasons per schedule.

[Rutnbuxnbulls]

For a better reply to the original question, for me personally I'll be hunting deer and elk in WA in September.  Last season the fires from Oregon and Cali blew tons of smoke our way and I was hunting in some nasty air during the elk opener.  A week later, the air cleared out somewhat and I ended up tagging out.  I don't like missing out on the opener but I also don't want permanent lung damage because of stubbornness.  Who knows how things will be in a couple of months but so far it's been a hot dry mofo out there.  The fires effect the hunter and the game, whether the actual fire is nearby or the smoke is just thick.  I'm not a very religious man but this kinda heat and dry spell makes me wanna pray for rain!

[buckfvr]

My guess is wdfw wont say a word about impending delays and or closures until AFTER they sell all the multi-season permits.   

[TriggerMike]

The much higher than normal harvest percentage in North Central WA 5 or 6 years ago was primarily from the high country feed drying up early due to drought which made the deer migrate during general season instead of shortly after like they usually do. If it dries up early this year, everyone will have a buck down again and there will be very few deer left for the future. Keep an eye on it.

[Birdguy]

The much higher than normal harvest percentage in North Central WA 5 or 6 years ago was primarily from the high country feed drying up early due to drought which made the deer migrate during general season instead of shortly after like they usually do. If it dries up early this year, everyone will have a buck down again and there will be very few deer left for the future. Keep an eye on it.

My thoughts as well. The last really hot dry year had the deer down low and MANY were taken! Another year like that and we may have a serious situation. Not a doom and gloom guy in most things but another real reduction in game animals be it drought, disease or hunting could really press our predator situation over the edge too.

[hunter399]

I've already heard a few rumors that some of the timber companies are placing signs .Pretty much restrict access till fire season is over . So Fall seasons are not looking good over here in the NE .We need some rain now!!!!!

[pianoman9701]

We've had dry conditions before. Is this the driest? I don't think so. When it's dry, it's dry. The elk don't disappear. They find the water and thick cover. Those of HuntWA who consistently kill elk will likely do so again this year. May your tactics be fluid and successful. 

[hunter399]

Just Saying..........

[trophyhunt]

Well, I’m at 6,000 ft this morning in western wa, some where between I-90 and Chinook pass.  It’s cold and wet fog, feels like late sept up here, tent is soaked on the outside.  I guess that’s one good thing about living on the wet side.

[JakeLand]

Well, I’m at 6,000 ft this morning in western wa, some where between I-90 and Chinook pass.  It’s cold and wet fog, feels like late sept up here, tent is soaked on the outside.  I guess that’s one good thing about living on the wet side.

[hunter399]

Well, I’m at 6,000 ft this morning in western wa, some where between I-90 and Chinook pass.  It’s cold and wet fog, feels like late sept up here, tent is soaked on the outside.  I guess that’s one good thing about living on the wet side.

I'm guessing some seasonal camping ,scouting going on or what.

[trophyhunt]

Well, I’m at 6,000 ft this morning in western wa, some where between I-90 and Chinook pass.  It’s cold and wet fog, feels like late sept up here, tent is soaked on the outside.  I guess that’s one good thing about living on the wet side.

I'm guessing some seasonal camping ,scouting going on or what.

just a quick get away mostly, but also scouting for a lucky permit holder.  Only one bear seen, no elk yet.

[pianoman9701]

Just Saying..........

Find another spot or unit. I hunt public land in the NF and this doesn't happen.

[hunter399]

Just Saying..........

Find another spot or unit. I hunt public land in the NF and this doesn't happen.

I actually have some private land to bear hunt ,that is surrounded by BLM .
So no worry on my part.
But did hear from a friend yesterday that hancock access points are being posted with signs.
Just an assumption , but someone caught breaking access fire restrictions could be charged with trespass.

[Caseyd]

Just Saying..........

Find another spot or unit. I hunt public land in the NF and this doesn't happen.

NF closes too

https://www.eastoregonian.com/news/local/off-limits-forest-service-shuts-down-umatilla-national-forest/article_e58ebc8a-e643-11eb-9ed2-8b8108bb5bd1.html