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Big Game Hunting => Out Of State Hunting => Topic started by: huntnphool on August 21, 2013, 01:41:00 PM


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Title: Idaho Units 39, 43 and 44 Fires
Post by: huntnphool on August 21, 2013, 01:41:00 PM
Lots of fires over there this year, I hope it doesn't effect you guys with long awaited tags for those units.
Title: Re: Idaho Units 39, 43 and 44 Fires
Post by: huntnphool on August 22, 2013, 09:19:20 PM
Some pics of 44
Title: Re: Idaho Units 39, 43 and 44 Fires
Post by: huntindork on August 23, 2013, 09:00:24 AM
Im hoping it doesn't hurt us too much as I finally got a 44 deer tag and my 12 Yr old Boy got a 44 Elk tag. Not looking great but hopefully the fires may help????
Title: Re: Idaho Units 39, 43 and 44 Fires
Post by: huntnphool on August 23, 2013, 12:47:40 PM
Not looking great but hopefully the fires may help????
Yeah, they should help those with 45 tags. :chuckle:
Title: Re: Idaho Units 39, 43 and 44 Fires
Post by: jjhunter on August 23, 2013, 01:18:35 PM
There were fires in 39 and 43 last year that restricted visibility for the 44 opener.  We thought it would push some deer down early into 45, but it didn't.  In fact, the migration was overall later than in a normal year.  I know two guys that had tags last year and both killed good deer.  One bigger and one smaller than my 45 buck  :chuckle:

I have hunted that area every year for the past 5 years (43/44 border, 48 and 45 and 52).  Those fires are burning up some good country, especially in 44.  I have  buddies with 52 and 45 tags  this year and they report that the upper end of the units have been un-glassable the last 3 weeks.   If you can't glass long range in that country, you are at a severe disadvantage....

44 is gonna be tough.  If I had a tag, I'd go the last week of Oct and hope that  there is a late snow/migration from the north, or, the residents bucks that hunker low, will come out and chase does.

 :twocents:
Title: Re: Idaho Units 39, 43 and 44 Fires
Post by: jjhunter on August 23, 2013, 01:24:16 PM
If IDFG offers a rain-check this year on the 44 tags, I'd take it.  That tag comes around once in a blue moon and you need to capitalize on the opportunity!
Title: Re: Idaho Units 39, 43 and 44 Fires
Post by: boneaddict on August 23, 2013, 01:29:48 PM
They might blow through the burn faster and fill 45 though.  hmmmmmmm
Title: Re: Idaho Units 39, 43 and 44 Fires
Post by: jjhunter on August 23, 2013, 01:42:59 PM
They might blow through the burn faster and fill 45 though.  hmmmmmmm

Just some advice from a WA boy who spends too much time in Idaho.... :chuckle:
Title: Re: Idaho Units 39, 43 and 44 Fires
Post by: huntnphool on August 23, 2013, 01:49:44 PM
There were fires in 39 and 43 last year that restricted visibility for the 44 opener.  We thought it would push some deer down early into 45, but it didn't.  In fact, the migration was overall later than in a normal year.  I know two guys that had tags last year and both killed good deer.  One bigger and one smaller than my 45 buck  :chuckle:

I have hunted that area every year for the past 5 years (43/44 border, 48 and 45 and 52).  Those fires are burning up some good country, especially in 44.  I have  buddies with 52 and 45 tags  this year and they report that the upper end of the units have been un-glassable the last 3 weeks.   If you can't glass long range in that country, you are at a severe disadvantage....

44 is gonna be tough.  If I had a tag, I'd go the last week of Oct and hope that  there is a late snow/migration from the north, or, the residents bucks that hunker low, will come out and chase does.

 :twocents:
Good info right there. :tup:
Title: Re: Idaho Units 39, 43 and 44 Fires
Post by: boneaddict on August 23, 2013, 02:00:35 PM
They might blow through the burn faster and fill 45 though.  hmmmmmmm

Just some advice from a WA boy who spends too much time in Idaho.... :chuckle:

 :chuckle:  I was thinking I should be booking at least a week there this fall with my camera.
Title: Re: Idaho Units 39, 43 and 44 Fires
Post by: huntnphool on August 23, 2013, 02:03:30 PM
They might blow through the burn faster and fill 45 though.  hmmmmmmm

Just some advice from a WA boy who spends too much time in Idaho.... :chuckle:

 :chuckle:  I was thinking I should be booking at least a week there this fall with my camera.
I'll be over there getting some pics, I'll let you know if I find any good ones.
Title: Re: Idaho Units 39, 43 and 44 Fires
Post by: boneaddict on August 23, 2013, 02:05:27 PM
 :)  Not sure which emoticon to use. :chuckle:  :drool: :tup:
Title: Re: Idaho Units 39, 43 and 44 Fires
Post by: jjhunter on August 23, 2013, 02:43:04 PM
They might blow through the burn faster and fill 45 though.  hmmmmmmm

Just some advice from a WA boy who spends too much time in Idaho.... :chuckle:

 :chuckle:  I was thinking I should be booking at least a week there this fall with my camera.

Follow my advice, only take a camera!   :tup:
Title: Re: Idaho Units 39, 43 and 44 Fires
Post by: huntindork on August 23, 2013, 02:54:28 PM
I think I am going to  try to make a quick trip down the weekend of Sept 7th just to see whats shaking.  If it looks alright and seeing bucks I will head down for the opener if not I will wait until later in the season. I doubt they will give a rain check but maybe.
Title: Re: Idaho Units 39, 43 and 44 Fires
Post by: jjhunter on August 23, 2013, 03:32:26 PM
Have you spoken with Idaho Fish and Game?  According the folks that I have been talking to, it is a likely possibilty:

hunters affected by fire closures have options


Hunters affected by national forest lands closed because of wildfires in the Magic Valley Region have the option to exchange their Smoky Mountain Zone elk A-tag.

As the fire slows, more of the Smoky Mountain Zone - game management units 43, 44 and 48 - is being opened. Only a small percentage of units 43 and 48 were affected; much of the fire is in Unit 44, which is not open for the archery portion of the A-tag elk hunt.

The archery A-tag season for elk in the Smoky Mountain Zone begins August 30. Hunters may exchange Smoky Mountain Zone elk tags for another zone at any Idaho Fish and Game office before August 30.

Other hunts affected by the closure area include a controlled deer hunt in Unit 44 that opens on September 15, and controlled bull elk hunts that open September 25. Several additional hunts open in October. Fish and Game will continue to monitor access restrictions and fire boundaries in those areas as those hunts draw nearer.

Fish and Game has a number of options for hunters whose hunting access is severely restricted by wildfires or closures, including exchanging controlled hunt tags for general season tags, rain checks for the following year, and in some cases refunds.

As fire and closure boundaries change, Fish and Game will determine which of these options are appropriate to different hunts and will publicize those options at least 10 days before the hunts' opening date.

For more information about upcoming hunts, contact the Fish and Game Magic Valley office at 208-324-4359.

Hunters, anglers and other backcountry travelers are advised to check with U.S. Forest Service ranger district offices or county sheriffs' offices before heading out. For fire updates go to: http://www.inciweb.org/state/13/. (http://www.inciweb.org/state/13/.)

For additional fire information check the Hunt Planner Map Center at http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/ifwis/huntplanner/mapcenter/, (http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/ifwis/huntplanner/mapcenter/,) and at http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/ifwis/maps/realtime/fire/. (http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/ifwis/maps/realtime/fire/.)

Title: Re: Idaho Units 39, 43 and 44 Fires
Post by: huntindork on August 23, 2013, 04:30:39 PM
Hmm- If offered, do you give it back or hunt with half the hunters?? It still might be good depending on road closures and access.
Title: Re: Idaho Units 39, 43 and 44 Fires
Post by: mkcj on August 23, 2013, 04:47:18 PM
The good news is I was just told over on the Methow board that all these fires in Idaho will have no impact on the winter survival of the deer and elk and they won't have to move to more populated residential area's to find food or become easier prey for wolves :bash: Otherwise good luck to the guys hunting Idaho this year :tup:
Title: Re: Idaho Units 39, 43 and 44 Fires
Post by: Taco280AI on August 23, 2013, 04:51:30 PM
I hunted 39 and hope to get back again sometime (soon). Can only hope the fires burn up the woofs and leave the deer and elk alone  :chuckle:
Title: Re: Idaho Units 39, 43 and 44 Fires
Post by: huntnphool on August 25, 2013, 11:18:44 PM
Lots more started today :bash:
Title: Re: Idaho Units 39, 43 and 44 Fires
Post by: 75johndeere on August 25, 2013, 11:44:02 PM
I don't know how bad the fires are in Idaho. but they must be getting pretty bad from my house is western Montana we can't see the mountains. I went scouting last weekend in the bitterroot range and you can't use a spotting scope from one side of a drainage to the other

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Title: Re: Idaho Units 39, 43 and 44 Fires
Post by: huntnphool on August 30, 2013, 08:27:02 PM
Here is a link for anyone that is looking for fire info. http://www.inciweb.org/state/13/ (http://www.inciweb.org/state/13/)

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