rockymtnhunter
Active Member
- Messages
- 198
First, thanks to all who offered kind words and thoughts. My visit to the Kaibab was good, but just not the same without Mari's companionship, smiles and laughter. I missed the joy of sharing my daily scouting adventures with her. But memories are sweet and carry me through each day.
Conditions were dry, as expected, but there is still a fair green-up despite the lack of moisture. Aspen was still leafing out - appears that green-up is delayed a bit this year. Did see good lupine growth below 7500 ft. I checked about 20 water sources - but most had10% or less of what is usually in them at this time of year. I was surprised that cattle had already been turned out- it looked like range condition wasn't anywhere close to being ready for livestock grazing, esp. given the lack of water. I would guess that by the end of June most water sources (except the few natural "lakes" and springs) will be dry. If the monsoon season is weak again this year, it could be dire for deer. The best hope if for a better-than-average monsoon starting in early July.
Looking at this year's Kaibab tag numbers compared to 35-40 years ago makes me concerned about the future - esp. given extended drought conditions, and invasion of elk & bison. Big bucks are still there, but getting fewer and fewer. During my scouting last weekend I covered a lot of high country where I used to routinely see 100-150 or more deer/day - but now I see few or none. I did recon the Castle Fire (2019) & Mangum Fire (2020) areas - still pretty charred, not much green-up and both fires burned a mosaic pattern, although last year's Mangum fire did severely scorch a large area, but generally at lower elevations - nothing like the Warm Fire in 2006.
Anyway, good luck in the draw.
Conditions were dry, as expected, but there is still a fair green-up despite the lack of moisture. Aspen was still leafing out - appears that green-up is delayed a bit this year. Did see good lupine growth below 7500 ft. I checked about 20 water sources - but most had10% or less of what is usually in them at this time of year. I was surprised that cattle had already been turned out- it looked like range condition wasn't anywhere close to being ready for livestock grazing, esp. given the lack of water. I would guess that by the end of June most water sources (except the few natural "lakes" and springs) will be dry. If the monsoon season is weak again this year, it could be dire for deer. The best hope if for a better-than-average monsoon starting in early July.
Looking at this year's Kaibab tag numbers compared to 35-40 years ago makes me concerned about the future - esp. given extended drought conditions, and invasion of elk & bison. Big bucks are still there, but getting fewer and fewer. During my scouting last weekend I covered a lot of high country where I used to routinely see 100-150 or more deer/day - but now I see few or none. I did recon the Castle Fire (2019) & Mangum Fire (2020) areas - still pretty charred, not much green-up and both fires burned a mosaic pattern, although last year's Mangum fire did severely scorch a large area, but generally at lower elevations - nothing like the Warm Fire in 2006.
Anyway, good luck in the draw.
