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Wildfires in Arizona — Hunting Impacts

June 13, 2011.

I just got back from a spring bear hunt in Alaska (more on that later), where I was very out of touch with the news for a solid week. One of the biggest developments I heard about upon my return was the Arizona wildfire situation.

As a resident of the mountain West, wildfire strikes a deep chord with me, both in terms of empathy for impacted families and appreciation for the firefighters who work to control these fires at great personal risk.

For now, though, I just want to share some info from Arizona Game and Fish on the potential impacts to hunting, especially with the deer and sheep application deadline looming tomorrow.

Wildfire Situation

Arizona is currently experiencing one of its worst wildfire seasons on record. As of June 10, 2011, the Wallow Fire in eastern Arizona, which began on May 29, has burned about 400,000 acres, making it the second-worst wildfire in the state’s history thus far.

Two other major wildfires are also burning in the state: the Horseshoe Two Fire, which began May 8 and has consumed more than 125,000 acres in the southeast part of the state (40 percent contained as of June 10), and the Murphy Fire, which began May 30 and has burned more than 65,000 acres in the southern part of the state (75 percent contained as of June 10). The state is extremely dry and is at high risk of other wildfires until summer monsoon rains arrive.

Hunting Impacts

The Game Management Units affected by the Wallow Fire on the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests are Units 1 and 27. Popular hunts in these units include elk, antelope, deer, turkey and bear.

The Game Management Units affected by the Horseshoe Two Fire on the Coronado National Forest are primarily Unit 29 and portions of Unit 30A. Popular hunts in these areas include mule deer, white-tailed deer, javelina, and small game.

The Game Management Units affected by the Murphy Fire on the Coronado National Forest are Units 36A, 36B and 36C. Popular hunts in these areas include mule deer, white-tailed deer, javelina and small game.

Historical Perspective

Many hunters might immediately come to the conclusion that their hunts in the fire areas are now ruined due to the fires, out of the perceptions that there will be reduced numbers of game, limited or no access, that the forest is completely burned, or that the overall hunting experience is compromised. Although some hunts will undoubtedly be affected, they might not necessarily be as severe as perceived. Here is what Arizona Game and Fish found in Game Management Unit 3C in the aftermath of the Rodeo-Chediski Fire in 2002:

• Of the Unit 3C habitat on the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests impacted by the fire, 28 percent was determined to be severely burned, 19 percent moderately burned, 26 percent low impact, and 27 percent was unburned.
• There was no significant reduction in the availability of big game animals in the fall hunts.
  
  
• After the Rodeo-Chediski Fire, Game and Fish personnel conducted two aerial surveys and several ground surveys in the unit. There was no evidence of any large migration of elk or deer out of the burn area. With the onset of the monsoon, it is anticipated that a significant portion of Units 1 and 27 will have adequate forage, and that elk will be well distributed prior to the hunts.

Elk and Antelope Considerations

The elk/antelope draw was held in the spring and permits have been issued. The department has received some questions about whether there is a contingency for refunds on a hunt permit or for a hunter to turn down the permit to retain his or her bonus points. There is currently no provision in state law or commission rule for refunds on a permit, or for a hunter to turn down the permit to retain his or her bonus points. As is stated on page 16 of the 2011-12 Arizona Hunting Regulations booklet:

The issuance of any big game permit has no express or implied guarantee or warranty of hunter success. Any person holding a valid permit assumes the risk that circumstances beyond the control of Arizona Game and Fish may prevent the permit holder from using the permit. In such situations, Arizona Game and Fish disclaims any responsibility to reissue or replace a permit, to reinstate bonus points or to refund any fees

The department and commission may analyze this situation further once the fires are under control and it is possible to truly assess the fire’s actual impacts.

Deer and Sheep Considerations

Hunters who have not yet applied for the fall hunts for deer, turkey, javelina, bighorn sheep, buffalo and pheasant will want to consider the different variables if applying for hunts in the affected fire areas. Until the fires are put out, there is no certainty what the conditions will be, but they could range from area closures to near-normal hunting conditions come hunting season.

I already put in my deer and sheep applications before I left for Alaska. I'm comfortable letting them ride, and I suspect my chances of drawing may improve slightly if other hunters are scared off by the wildfire situation.

Arizona Game and Fish has created a special web page to help outdoorsmen and women monitor potential impacts: http://www.azgfd.gov/w_c/fire_impacts_on_wildlife.shtml

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