Post by: boneaddict on January 28, 2010, 06:44:18 PM
Post by: chrisb on January 28, 2010, 06:52:14 PM
Post by: boneaddict on January 28, 2010, 07:04:31 PM
Post by: GUscottie on January 28, 2010, 07:08:25 PM
Post by: Red Dawg on January 28, 2010, 07:09:06 PM
Post by: boneaddict on January 28, 2010, 07:10:33 PM
Post by: Buckshot Bill on January 28, 2010, 07:10:53 PM
Well Chrisb, it might make for an easier winter, but foliage and summer forbs and water or the acute lack of could cause even bigger problems. May even shut the season down.........
I would have to agree with what bone is saying. It will have some serious ramifications for the lack of snow pack on many things. One thing for sure you will see some serious water restrictions happen all over the state. I hope we do get a lot of snow soon and frequently to build some sort of pack to last for part of the summer. If the reseviours don't get replenished during the summer months it will be brutal.
Post by: GUscottie on January 28, 2010, 07:11:55 PM
Post by: washelkhntr on January 28, 2010, 07:15:16 PM
Post by: Special T on January 28, 2010, 07:20:36 PM
Post by: alecvg on January 28, 2010, 07:26:26 PM
Post by: boneaddict on January 28, 2010, 07:29:55 PM
Post by: Special T on January 28, 2010, 07:32:49 PM
Post by: bobcat on January 28, 2010, 07:35:40 PM
I can drive to places right now that i could never drive to until May usually. I've never seen a winter like this.
Were you not living here in 2005? We didn't have any snow in the mountains that winter. I drove over Colockum Pass in late December without even needing 4 wheel drive. Later in the winter, I think late February, my wife and I drove up to about 5000 feet in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest south of Randle and went on a hike. There was a couple inches of snow but in a normal winter there would probably have been 10 feet.
I don't know about having a bad fire season. Seems there are so many times they have predicted a bad fire season because of a relatively dry winter, or a hotter than average summer, and it doesn't happen. Just like last year, one of the hottest summers ever and barely any fires.
I actually hope we do have a lot of big fires. Nothing is better at creating good deer and elk habitat. We've got lots of areas that haven't seen a fire in a long time and are way overdue.
Post by: MooseStock on January 28, 2010, 07:44:39 PM
Post by: Cougeyes on January 28, 2010, 09:37:51 PM
I actually hope we do have a lot of big fires. Nothing is better at creating good deer and elk habitat. We've got lots of areas that haven't seen a fire in a long time and are way overdue.I agree, I know several areas around here that are way overdue, the trees are basically all dying or already dead from bark beetle or other causes, so dense there is no understory, not great habitat.
I'm glad there is little snow this year, the deer around here need it, the population is going downhill. Hopefully there will be enough rain and late winter snow to offset any drought that may happen. Although if we're basing whether there may be a drought from the current conditions it isn't looking to well.
Post by: bobcat on January 28, 2010, 09:42:47 PM
Also, I think it's a little early to think there won't be much snow this winter. We're only 1/3 of the way through winter. Plenty of time left for some major snowstorms.
Post by: halflife65 on January 28, 2010, 09:46:36 PM
Post by: CMG on January 29, 2010, 10:17:46 AM
Quote
Were you not living here in 2005? We didn't have any snow in the mountains that winter.
Interesting subject, and one I am learning more on every year. I have a small piece of property out of riverside towards Concunully with a lake that is reliant solely on rain/snow melt each year. the lake was at it's lowest from 1993 thru 1995. it arose almost 8'-0" in 95' thru 96' I remember getting 3-4 Ft. of snow those years which is a lot in that area. the lake kept full thru 2005. It has been on a steady decline since then and is back down to -8'-0", the lowest I have seen it since 95'? I was hoping for the cycle to return so the lake would rise back up, guess I'll have to wait another couple of years. It is real apparent when the lake is full there is a lot more wildlife around! Let's hope for a late winterblast 10'!!!
Post by: rosscrazyelk on January 29, 2010, 10:26:25 AM
Post by: Pathfinder101 on January 29, 2010, 10:44:28 AM
Great. Bad snow pack = dry plants and not as much water for the animals = bad antler growth= I will probably finally get drawn for my big bull tag= shooting a dink :dunno:
Funny you mentioned that. Last "easy" winter was 2005/2006 and we had the Columbia Complex Fire in the Blues. Buddy of mine drew a tag...And wound up eating it.... :'( :bash:
Post by: Alchase on January 30, 2010, 01:09:46 PM
Here is a list of snow pack by the "least" amount.
http://www.nwac.us/media/uploads/pdfs/Ranking_Northwest_Snowpacks.pdf (http://www.nwac.us/media/uploads/pdfs/Ranking_Northwest_Snowpacks.pdf)
Post by: boneaddict on January 30, 2010, 01:44:33 PM
I figure if Bush gets blamed for hurricanes I might as well blame droughts on the democrats. :chuckle:
Post by: Alchase on January 30, 2010, 01:51:56 PM
Post by: Pathfinder101 on January 30, 2010, 03:17:40 PM
I was thinking 79 was a horrible year. No snow at new YEars in Twisp. Maybe it was earlier than that. I know Carter was in office......
I thought it was '79 too. I know it was only a couple of years before my dad died. I was a little kid (about 7), but I remember driving waaaaaayyyy up Mount Abercrombie in December. Dad kept going on and on about there being no snow. If it were 76 I don't think I would have remembered.
Post by: Huntbear on January 30, 2010, 03:25:45 PM
http://www3.wcc.nrcs.usda.gov/nwcc/sntlsites.jsp?state=WA (http://www3.wcc.nrcs.usda.gov/nwcc/sntlsites.jsp?state=WA)
Take for example. Spencer Meadow. Normally this time of year, between 5-7 ft. of snow. Only 3 ft of snow right now.
Temps are actually rising above freezing during the day. Elevation is about 3400 ft.
Post by: Idabooner on January 31, 2010, 10:38:39 AM
How is the Methow doing this year?
In the mid valley below 3000 ft. we haven't had any rain, just foggy wet air, a few snow showers. It's been the warmest January I've seen in 74 years, with freezing most nights and up to 35-40* in the day. The ground is frozen with 6"-12" of snow. There was a crust you could walk on for a couple days, now it's mostly soft, coyotes sinking 2" deer clear to the ground. The deer are not hanging in the normal wintering areas, they are scattered and feeding on new ground mostly. The ones I've seen look to be in good shape. The ravens and eagles seem to be working above 3000 ft. so I'm guessing that's where the predator action is. That's the best I can describe from the Carlton area.
The coyotes are scattered to and hard to find, :chuckle: mostly mousing. I've about got my hundred hours in on the river so must be about ready for another fish. :chuckle:
Post by: boneaddict on January 31, 2010, 10:58:09 AM
Post by: hirshey on January 31, 2010, 12:27:18 PM
Post by: ICEMAN on January 31, 2010, 05:49:47 PM
Post by: Red Dawg on January 31, 2010, 05:52:26 PM
Post by: hirshey on January 31, 2010, 07:29:56 PM
No kidding, with things this warm, how early will they start prescribed burns?
It'll still be late March/April at the earliest... depending on funding and when they can get enough early hires to do the groundwork.
Post by: ICEMAN on February 01, 2010, 04:43:57 AM
Post by: swanny on February 01, 2010, 06:02:26 AM
Was riding at Baker on Saturday and there were creeks that I have never not seen covered in snow. You had to make sure to pay attention good to where you were going or you were stuck and hiking out a ways.
Post by: Pathfinder101 on February 01, 2010, 10:36:53 AM
Post by: Shootmoore on February 01, 2010, 10:47:37 AM
No kidding, with things this warm, how early will they start prescribed burns?
It'll still be late March/April at the earliest... depending on funding and when they can get enough early hires to do the groundwork.
I used to love the Green Weenies prescribed burn season, always meant some early overtime on dry springs when they got away from them. Was also a good time to stock up on the nice leather work gloves. Made sure I had a good trading stock in the spring.
Shootmoore
P.S. So to even out my term of endearment for the FS I'll tell one on myself. Whats Red and sleeps 3 comfortably?.........A DNR engine.....DNR vs. Forest Circus was always in good fun, the peons always got along it was more up the food chain where friction occurred. Not sure how it is now days as I have been out for 16 years.
Post by: Alchase on February 01, 2010, 11:04:57 AM
Post by: hirshey on February 01, 2010, 11:30:00 AM
Shootmoore
P.S. So to even out my term of endearment for the FS I'll tell one on myself. Whats Red and sleeps 3 comfortably?.........A DNR engine.....DNR vs. Forest Circus was always in good fun, the peons always got along it was more up the food chain where friction occurred. Not sure how it is now days as I have been out for 16 years.
[/quote]
Ha! Good one! We are generally all on good terms still. There's always the few and the proud that take it far too serious.. but really we all do the same job. (except you (the DNR) doesn't get hazard pay for it). ;) There's always plenty of work for all.. and we much appriciate you holding the lines while we burn off of them. :) hehe.
In all seriousness, its always fun to meet new people who also enjoy the same job I do.. definitely looking forward to those spring burns this season.. it'll be much-needed browse soon afterwards.
Post by: hirshey on February 01, 2010, 11:30:35 AM
Thanks hirshey.
Anytime. :)
Post by: Skyvalhunter on February 01, 2010, 12:07:42 PM
Post by: hirshey on February 01, 2010, 07:04:29 PM
(I jest... sort of) :)
The rappel crew in Wenatchee has plenty of old DNR folks on it... solid guys. :)
Post by: Lowedog on February 01, 2010, 07:20:14 PM
Post by: MichaelJ on February 01, 2010, 08:44:48 PM
Michael
Post by: washelkhntr on February 01, 2010, 08:51:03 PM
Post by: bobcat on February 01, 2010, 09:06:07 PM
I just have a feeling that this year, the snow is gonna hit us hard in March and April. :twocents:
Or February...
Post by: kramman on February 02, 2010, 09:15:04 AM
Post by: Magnum_Willys on February 03, 2010, 06:28:06 PM