Wildfire closures could affect deer hunting seasons

FLAMES THREATEN MORE THAN FOREST

WILDFIRE CLOSURES COULD AFFECT DEER SEASONS THIS MONTH

By Chris Cocoles

Another year, another unwelcome flurry of devastating wildfires throughout California, particularly in the northern half of the state.

And in late August, when the U.S. Forest Service announced the closures of nine national forests throughout the Sierra and the northeast corner of California, the ramifications could affect deer hunters who purchased licenses and tags.

Many of the state’s deer seasons begin this month around the affected areas and closures, prompting the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to warn deer tag holders about the consequences.

THE CLOSURES

On Aug. 19, the Forest Service’s Pacific Southwest Region’s closures affected the following national forests: • Klamath National Forest • Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit • Lassen National Forest • Mendocino National Forest • Modoc National Forest • Plumas National Forest • Shasta-Trinity National Forest • Six Rivers National Forest • Tahoe National Forest

And as the devastating Caldor Fire in the Sierra burned on and forced mandatory evacuation orders for South Lake Tahoe, on Aug. 30 the Forest Service announced all national forest land in the state – 17 in total

Crews battle the Haypress Fire in the Klamath and Shasta-Trinity National Forests, which are among nine national forests in California closed until Sept. 6. The wildfires burning throughout Northern California and the Sierra could shut down deer hunting

Of the possibility of closing early archery deer seasons hunts, California Department of Fish and Wildlife director Charlton H. Bonham says, “Our hope, certainly, is that deer hunters will have the opportunity to hunt at some point and participate in part

or all of their favorite seasons.” (ARTURO ZEPEDA/SEQUOIA NATIONAL FOREST CREW)

– would close from Aug. 31 to Sept. 17. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife added the same timeline for closing 34 state-run properties that border the national forest land in the state.

“Fires are running very quickly due to the drought conditions, dry fuels, and winds. This makes initial attack and containment very difficult and is even more challenging with strained resources who are battling more than 100 large fires across the country,” said Jennifer Eberlien, a USFS regional forester regarding the national forests shutdowns.

“We do not take this decision lightly and understand how this impacts people who enjoy recreating on the National Forests. These temporary closures are necessary to ensure public and firefighter safety, as well as reduce the potential for new fire starts.”

HUNTERS WILL BE AFFECTED

California’s C and D Zones are in the northern and northeast regions and in the Sierra, with several archery deer hunts set to begin in those zones on Sept. 4, many of which are adjacent to or within the still-closed national forest lands. General C and D Zone hunts begin on Sept. 18 and Sept. 25, which for now would be clear when the closure window is scheduled to end.

“We understand these closures – even temporary – will significantly impact our hunters, especially with archery deer seasons opening in many parts of Northern California,” CDFW director Charlton H. Bonham said in a press release. “We have a public safety emergency and an environmental crisis on our hands with these wildfires. We thank hunters, anglers and others who cherish these public lands for respecting these closures and allowing firefighters and public safety personnel to secure these areas and help protect our wild places and our rural communities.”

Hunters who purchase resident deer tags normally aren’t eligible for refunds “regardless of land closures due to fire, weather or other natural disasters per the California Code of Regulations,” according to CDFW.

Bonham added that his organization would consider petitioning the California Fish and Game Commission to offer refunds for deer or other big game tags in wildfire-affected areas.

“Premium deer tags awarded using a first choice in California’s Big Game Drawing, elk tags, pronghorn antelope tags, and bighorn sheep tags may be returned to CDFW with a request to have preference points reinstated and one preference point awarded for the species for the current hunt year,” the press release stated.

And while fire crews continue to battle the most serious blazes as drought impacts have created dangerously dry conditions throughout the state, CDFW hopes upcoming hunting seasons this month and next can be salvaged.

“Our hope, certainly, is that deer hunters will have the opportunity to hunt at some point and participate in part or all of their favorite seasons,” Bonham said. “But we also are prepared to support our deer, elk, pronghorn and sheep hunters who have done so much for conservation over the years.”CS

Editor’s note: For updated information on fire closure information, go to fire.ca.gov/ incidents or fs.usda.gov/r5.