Wildfires - Effect on Hunting

[KimberKid]

Firstly I understand that there are many people on this forum who are going to be greatly effected by these wildfires. I sincerely hope everyone is ok and that the damage can be somewhat restored to your homes and personal belongings.

Now, onto my question. My understanding is that these wildfires are all over BC and although some are burning through grassland, I am more interested in the ones that are burning through forests. How does this effect the hunting in these 'fire' clear cuts 1. Immediately 2. 5 Years from now 3. 20 Years from now. Basically, I know animals will be running from these fires however down the line will these new clear cuts be productive to hunt? I remember reading that Native Americans used to 'control burn' clear cuts and then hunt the animals that would feed there. Is it safe to say that these fires will create new, productive hunting areas? Secondly, those who have hunted areas that have been burned through, what is it like? If you had any idea how long ago the fire was where you hunted I would love to know that information too.

Thank you, have a nice day and stay safe.
KK

[swampthing]

There is going to be some good deer hunting!

[rocksteady]

Increase the smoke has cleared and a bit of rain occurrs vegetation will sprout up and Mother Nature will heal the wound

[BCbuckhunter]

Its all going to be new habitat. There is a reason it all went up so quick. We've been putting out fires instead of letting them burn a bit. in populated area they need to be put out but when its away from towns it should burn a bit and git rid of all the undergrowth. Its natures say of thinning the forest. In a couple years there will be some good hunting in these areas.

[Big Lew]

I'm curious why we haven't heard what or who started the Ashcroft fire and some other
large fires. Lightning is responsible for many, but many of the earlier fires were by humans.

[Moose63]

Burns are the gourmet locations of the ungulate population.....

[WWBC]

I think that many of these recent fires might have been too hot. It's my understanding that the best fires are the ones that clear out the 'duff' layer and thin out the forest not incinerate everything. Hopefully it's more of a patchy burn leaving some living trees standing. But only time will tell, those fires are going to be burning for some time yet.

[Ohwildwon]

I think that many of these recent fires might have been too hot. It's my understanding that the best fires are the ones that clear out the 'duff' layer and thin out the forest not incinerate everything. Hopefully it's more of a patchy burn leaving some living trees standing. But only time will tell, those fires are going to be burning for some time yet.

Excellent observation!

They may or may not have, we shall see...

Each fire has its own story...

What may happen, may or may not happen, for some time, or....

Take for example the Tatoosh fire...

http://www.pressreader.com/canada/vancouver-sun/20060912/282033322677131

http://www.osoyoostimes.com/tatoosh-fire-complicates-fight-against-tripod-fire/

Burnt everything except the trunk of the trees.

Years later, all blown over, hence impenetrable, unless your 9ft tall and your legs are 8ft!

[Ourea]

Burns will enhance resident/immediate populations.
It also becomes a "magnet" bringing in non res animals.
Seen deer feeding with smoldering ash in the background.

Most of the bigger bucks we kill r a bit, well.......smoky

I've said this numerous times on HBC.....understand habitat....look for that habitat....game becomes easy to find

[va7bkl]

I've said this numerous times on HBC.....understand habitat....look for that habitat....game becomes easy to find

I have head this said a few times, but even after the research I have done, I still don't "understand habitat", specifically how to recognize good habitat from bad. How do you learn this? Let me clarify...I can pick out decent habitat for any given ungulate, but once I start walking the area, I can't seem to use my current knowledge to find a honey hole. If I find one, it is purely by accident. And if the animals move out of that honey hole, I can't tell where they might have gone to. I just haven't been able to find much on the subject although I have done a lot of reading. I am aware of the "general" comments you always hear about good habitat for "X". Sometimes I find game where I wouldn't expect it, and don't where I would. I've tried to make connections between different plants, trees, and topography in association to where I have found a lot of game, but nothing stands out...I am still missing something... Time and experience learning an area (and trail cams) is all I've got right now to determine if an area is good or not. I wish knew the key habitat features to look for to narrow down a potential area. Cause when I find a honey hole while scouting (lets say in the fall), then find (a week or two later) the animals are gone when I go back to hunt there, I just don't know how to tell where they might have gone to...and don't tell me lower cause some areas I go to just don't have much of a lower option, and sometimes this happens before their usual transition from summer to winter range anyway, so I know they are still close by, just not sure where to start lol