Prescribed fire on the monroe

[muzzlemania]

Hey, fellow members don't make many comments on the site, but have asked for help on a few Colorado hunts an d advice was very helpful.That being said my son drew archery elk tag on the monroe no luck yet and found out there will three different burns on the mountain starting Sept.6th in the brindley flat area then there planning another burn the next week S.E. of manning meadows towards box creek 3,308 acres and the last one to take place will be the twin peaks on forshea mountain thought I would give heads up to those of you who may have tag's archery, rifle,and muzzy.
Good luck to all this season.
http://www.utahfireinfo.gov/
muzzlemania

 

[dleonard3]

"Prescribed" burns almost always get out of control and burn down the forest, so stay sharp. I'm a little miffed with the timing too. They should do this crap in the late spring when it's easier to control.

 

[HorseCreek]

I have absolutely NO respect for the forest service!


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[springbear]

>"Prescribed" burns almost always get out
>of control and burn down
>the forest, so stay sharp.
> I'm a little miffed
>with the timing too.
>They should do this crap
>in the late spring when
>it's easier to control.


Actually a small percentage of "prescribed burns" ever escape. Very small percentage. True, the ones that do can be spectacular if they are close to sturctures or infrastructure, but very rarely do they "burn the forest down"; more like a couple of ridges or several hundred additional acres. As far as burning in the spring when it is easier to control, that part is true. It is also true that the desired results are usually not met with spring burns. Often the only thing that is accomplished is a bunch of smoke is made unless it is in logging slash.

Did you know that the RMEF spends a LOT of money with the USFS for Prescribed Burns? Did you know that they will usually only spend money or support the burn if it is done during the summer or fall? Wonder why? I bet the RMEF has a part in the burn on the Monroe.

Utah has some big elk and pretty good numbers as well, one of the reasons why is they have at least adequate habitat. A large portion of that habitiat is on USFS ground. At the very least the Forest Service is doing OK for the elk.

As far as having NO respect, Man I don't have a dog in the fight, but I suspect your tune would change if a large wildfire was bearing down on your house or community.... I assume that if you were seriously injured or lost in the Forest, you would turn down the FS help that comes to find/rescue you?. I suppose you also go out and clear/maintain the trails and roads in the Forest as well, just to do your part....

I often shake my head a the decisions, or lack of decisions the USFS makes, but if you are going to blast them about burning, you should have some of your facts/alligations straight.

 

[dleonard3]

LAST EDITED ON Aug-31-11 AT 01:00PM (MST)[p]springbear, You sound like you know something about this burning thing. Do you support the RMEF & the USFS when they do "prescribed burns" right in the middle of someone's "once in a lifetime" elk hunt?

I was lucky and drew (w/ 15 points) a Muzzle loader hunt on the Monroe last year, and it was not a quality hunt for me. There were way too many ATV tourists, sight see-ers, deer hunters, and spike elk hunters in the area to be able to hunt a trophy bull effectively. I can only imagine how bad it would have been with three forest fires burning and all the personel that goes along with that, especially if it gets out of control and they have to call in the hot shots & aircraft to put out their little whoopsee.

If a wildfire were bearing down on my house or community, I would assume it was caused by lightning and I would be right there helping to get it under control. But if it was caused by a prescribed burn that got away, the governing bodies that prescribed it would be liable to put it out and pay for any damages caused.

Also, I never expect anyone to help me out of the forest. If I get lost and can't find my way, I expect to become fertilizer. And I have done a little trail building, clearing, and improving in my years. I've also hiked my way cross-country more often than using trails. I like solitude and the feeling of being alone in the wilderness.

 

[springbear]

You are correct in that I do know a little about this Burning thing.

Also make sure you keep the FS issues seperate formt he STATE issues. The feds have nothing to do with hunting seasons for deer or spikes.

I have to say that I absolutly do support them conducting a burn during "someones" once in a life time hunt. I also completly understand the frustration/anger that, that "somone" would have. I get it. However, if the USFS didn't do "it" or canceled a burn everythime it impacted or interfeared with "someone's" event, then when do they do it. Or do they do it at all?

Just remember that is the exact tactic that enviormentalist use to stop Timber Sales; anti hunters use to stop Wolf hunts etc... "My singular opinon or wants is more important than the rest of you" "you (forest service) MUST listen to ME!" They do not seem to care about local ecomomy, or much of anything else jsut as long as they are getting their way.

What do you think would happen if the USFS shut down that unit for ATV use? I am positive that would help the quality of bulls in the unit. Potentially, it would improve the "quality" of the hunt as well. I will tell you that the hate mail would roll into the Forest Supervisor's office by the truck load.

Take for instance that thread that is on the 14 day camping. It is active right now. I am sure there are mulitple reasons behind that rule. However, there is no doubt that rule was in direct responce to HUNTERS complaining about it. My local Newspaper is full of letters to the editor every fall from HUNTERS complaining about all the campers reserving spots. Now the only time the FS enforces that rule is during hunting season, because that is the only time it is ever an issue. I am sure the FS law dogs use it to keep tabs on unsavory dudes durign the summer as well. But very few complaints are generated.

I am kind of rammbing now, but if it is enough of a big deal, the FS WILL listen or act.

In the "South" very, very little burning happens during Turkey season. the number of arson fires also goes way down! Why? because turkey hunting IS a big deal, a very big deal. They burn like hell just prior to it, but the matches are snuffed out the day before season. That is an entire population, not just a "few LE tag holders".

 

[Hoot]

i dont support them burning at this time of year, even when it has been this wet of a year. the fuels are dry and the fires are harder to control.

 

[dleonard3]

My main complaint was the over crowding during my hunt and how adding a few fires with personel would only make it worse. The tag holders this year have their work cut out for them. Good luck finding the elk.

 

[Elkhunter96]

They could easily do them in October when a lot less people are on the Mtn. Just my .02 on the issue.

I do agree that burns help out the habitat and elk herds, but man it sucks dealing with in when you have a once in the lifetime tag.

 

[Cam@strawberry]

Not picking a fight with leonard this is just a general observation, just cause you draw the LE tag does not give you the right to the mountain......that is just absurd, go hunt them in a pen if thats the experience you are looking for.

the competition is part of the hunt, not just with other tag holders but all who are out to enjoy the same things you claim to have a 'right' too because of a slip of paper in your pocket. Fires, ATV's, Outdoor enthusiasts, yes even tree huggers all have a 'claim' too the experience tag holders seem to feel entitled too. they become a part of your experience, a portion of your story.

like i said before, if your so worried about the effect they have on your chances to KILL a mature bull then go hunt them in a pen or on a ranch where no one else can. if you are going to put in for a PUBLIC land hunt then expect it to be PUBLIC!!

The USFS has the right to burn whenever and whereever they deem necessary.....whether or not what they do is the right thing is a whole nother story. I'm sure they have the law suits to prove that statement........

 

[HorseCreek]

Me not liking the FS has nothing to do with prescribed burns. If done right they are great for future wildlife and habitat. As mentioned this is the best time of the year for the burns...it sucks for some LE hunters but the animals that are displaced will move tho where they aren't burning, meaning a higher concetration of animals.


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[HorseCreek]

leonard said:
"I was lucky and drew (w/ 15 points) a Muzzle loader hunt on the Monroe last year, and it was not a quality hunt for me. There were way too many ATV tourists, sight see-ers, deer hunters, and spike elk hunters in the area to be able to hunt a trophy bull effectively."

"I've also hiked
my way cross-country more often
than using trails. I
like solitude and the feeling
of being alone in the
wilderness."

Did you get off the roads on your hunt? Try hunting the archery elk hunt on Monroe! Archery deer/spike elk hunters, weekend campers, atv jamboree, labor day weekend, sight see-ers, you name it. Once you leave the trail or road you won't see a soul. A LE hunt is what you make of it. I you do your time and homework you will have the hunt of a lifetime whether you kill or not. If you did your homework you'd know where the elk went when pressured.



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[tailchasers]

Ya want a continued trophy LE elk unit then ya might wanna support the burn no matter what the time of year is. As this is the best time of year to burn.

"Courage is being scared to death but saddling
up anyway."