National Forest closures

[Billy Goat]

Just wanted to pass along to those planning on heading out west to check the areas they intend on hunting. I saw today that an area I was planning on hunting that was outside of a burn area is still in the containment area. Area is closed until December 31 as of right now. The fire has been contained and I thought everything was reopened. Being an easterner and traveling to hunt it's a little more difficult to find information. I have been trying to use online resources but you might want to call and check.

This is probably old news to many. Some of us are just a little slower than others. I had been watching the updates and thought I was in the clear.

 

[BroodBuster]

PSA .....

National Interagency Fire Center

 

[johnhenry]

Yeah, keep an eye on the fires. Seems like there is a new one everyday here in western Colorado. I don't think its going to get anything but worse.

 

[ScottH]

Another choice.

https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/

 

[Tobe_B]

Definitely getting worse. Not sure what’s burning now but the smoke here at my house is as bad today as it was during the 416 at its worst.


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[Forestryguy]

I am new to the Western hunting game. What happens if a unit is completely shut down because of fire? I am guessing more than likely a whole unit would not get shut down though, and you just have to move around in the unit.


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[Billy Goat]

I am new to the Western hunting game. What happens if a unit is completely shut down because of fire? I am guessing more than likely a whole unit would not get shut down though, and you just have to move around in the unit.


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Drink your sorrows away at the local bar I reckon. Try to find a local with connections. If it's private land your hunting you could probably still hunt. But I have seen complete closure of a national Forest for a hunting season before.

 

[Tobe_B]

If a county in Colorado goes to stage three restrictions again it becomes illegal to discharge a firearm for any reason other than personal protection. Doesn’t matter for bow hunters as much for rifle hunters obviously. However, in stage three there is no access to national forest which leaves private land only. I doubt that we go to stage three here again this year. Although, even with the recent rains Archuleta county sits at stage 2 restrictions.


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[jb1842]

If a county in Colorado goes to stage three restrictions again it becomes illegal to discharge a firearm for any reason other than personal protection. Doesn’t matter for bow hunters as much for rifle hunters obviously. However, in stage three there is no access to national forest which leaves private land only. I doubt that we go to stage three here again this year. Although, even with the recent rains Archuleta county sits at stage 2 restrictions.


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Does the fire restriction include national forest land, or does the USFS make their own restrictions?

 

[Tobe_B]

Does the fire restriction include national forest land, or does the USFS make their own restrictions?

That I can’t answer with any confidence. When they closed the USFS lands earlier this summer everything went to stage three at the same time. When they reopened the Public lands everything dropped to stage two at the same time. I’m not really sure what to expect moving forward. Monsoons have been unpredictable and light at the lower elevations. But it seems as if the higher country around me is getting more consistent rainfalls. But I haven’t been up in the mountains yet to see for myself what it’s like. Last trip I took up there it was dry, worst I’ve ever seen in the mountains.


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[cnelk]

Check the forest land you will be visiting - US Forest Service

They will show all closures & fire restrictions

 

[George]

If a county in Colorado goes to stage three restrictions again it becomes illegal to discharge a firearm for any reason other than personal protection. Doesn’t matter for bow hunters as much for rifle hunters obviously. However, in stage three there is no access to national forest which leaves private land only. I doubt that we go to stage three here again this year. Although, even with the recent rains Archuleta county sits at stage 2 restrictions.


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Archuleta has been stage 0 for weeks now.

G

 

[WV Mountaineer]

Yes. Check it out for yourself. With all the love Colorado residents have for the nonresident hunter, plus the sporadic environmental conditions, you could be in a much better or worse boat then what you realize. Verify. Don’t take anyone’s word for it on the internet. Nothing would make a bunch of resident elk hunters happier then seeing you stay home. And, nothing would be worse then to get out there and have to find another area.

 

[Tobe_B]

Archuleta has been stage 0 for weeks now.

G

Every time I’ve driven by turn off for highway 84 their sign says stage two fire restrictions, I was just there Tuesday. Talk about giving people bad information. Moral of this is to call for accurate info I suppose. Thanks for the heads up.


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