Last issue I talked about the serious effect drought conditions can have on elk- especially the big bulls that hunters are trying so hard to acquire. In a drought year, bull elk can lose up to 20 percent of their antler growth. This year we are not only dealing with a horrible drought, but wildfires have also plagued the West. Many states are experiencing the worst fires in history. What's worse is that the year is not over yet. Many are wondering how all of this is going to affect their hunt. For those who drew a hunt in a burned area, your hunt may not be as bad as you thought.

Colorado and Arizona have had a lot of publicity concerning their wildfires. Despite the large fires in Colorado, the Division of Wildlife claims the fires have had little impact on big game populations statewide and expects a successful fall hunt. The people mostly affected are the early season hunters. Some land closures and fire restrictions have resulted from extremely dry conditions. Very few of Colorado's big game units actually suffered fire damage, and even the two largest fires, the Hayman Fire and Missionary Ridge Fire, left large swathes or islands of habitat unburned. Game units 501 and 511 will be affected, but only partially. Most adult elk and deer were able to escape the fires unharmed, but there will be some newborn mortality, especially the fawns. Small ground-dwelling animals are most affected by a fire. However, a few herds of elk were caught in the fires and lost, but that should not affect the overall herd population.

Arizona has had similar circumstances to worry about with their own fires. For those who have finally drawn that coveted Arizona elk tag, it may be a little disheartening to hear about the drought, fires and lack of water. The area mostly affected by fire within Arizona is unit 3C, which I would consider to be one of the better trophy elk units in the state. The large fire that burned through unit 3C did a considerable amount of damage, but a lot of areas, small islands that the elk will refuge to, were skipped. I believe unit 3C will still be a good unit to hunt and wouldn't give up on it altogether. However, it will be a more difficult hunt. Units benefiting from the fire will be surrounding 3C. This includes units 3A, 4B and 23. Unit 3C is located just north of the White Mountain Apache Reservation, which is known for its huge trophy bulls. The fire actually started on the Reservation and spread north. This pushed a lot of elk off the reservation and into 3C and then onto surrounding units.

Though most areas will not be affected too much, there are still some areas that may be closed. If your hunting unit has been affected by fire or if you are worried about any closures, contact the Fish and Game and the Forest Service. Each state differs in how they go about reimbursement if the hunt is closed. Colorado has a liberal policy on refunding license fees and will issue any refunds as long as it is before the opening day of the hunt. Because of a fire in the Book Cliffs area in Utah which has burned nearly 60 percent of the unit, the trophy elk hunt has been cancelled this fall for 36 hunters who will be allowed to hunt when the unit reopens.