Unit 20a wildfires

[Jlrineer1]

Out of all the places I could have chosen for my first elk hunt unit 20a in The Frank is engulfed with flames. The plan was to fly into cold meadows opening morning for the A tag in October. Doesn't seem like there's any real relief from the weather in sight. Cold meadows, Chamberlain, and Big Creek landing strips are all closed. Anyone have any suggestion on any other airstrips in 26 or 27? Or if it would be worth it to drive out to the crags campground and hike in to 27 from there for a week to hunt elk? Any information/suggestions would be greatly appreciated. If cold meadows doesn't re-open before the end of the month I am going to need a back up plan.

 

[meathunter]

Hopefully, the fires will be out by Oct. Just got back from a week hunt in Unit 12, smoke was really bad. Cooler temps and a good rain or two should reopen the areas. I spoke with a USFS person yesterday and there's talk of closing the National forests until the fire danger lessens. Usually the fires and smoke are out by Oct, just never know. No rain in forecast for at least a week.

 

[tim]

the highline fire will take a season ending event to get put out.
Have you talked to fish and game about a refund? I think I read somewhere they are doing that for middle fork elk tag holders.

 

[tim]

https://idfg.idaho.gov/press/sept-8-updates-fires-may-affect-early-season-hunts

 

[Jlrineer1]

Thanks Tim. That's kind of what I was thinking 80k acres is a lot to put out in 3 weeks with hardly any rain in sight. We may hunt from crags campground or take the stoddard trail in and stay east of the exclusion zone. I'd take the refund but this is my one trip for the year. I'd rather at least try than not go.

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[tim]

the highline is in wilderness, they are not fighting it, wilderness is a let it burn policy, mother nature will put it out.

 

[tim]

did the stoddard pack bridge get rebuilt? it was gone this july when i went past it.

 

[andrew12gauge]

There is no refund anyway. You can go in and exchange for another tag but a refund is not in the cards


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[tim]

the forest service has reopened all the closures. the last round of storms help a lot.