As many of us hunters know,
fire is used to enhance and rejuvenate the forest. The
Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and the Mule Deer
Foundation invest substantial funds in fire enhancement
and rejuvenation programs annually.
In 2003 we had a lightning caused
fire in our hunting area known as the Snow Talon Fire
Complex. The fire moved into the wilderness and was
allowed to burn as per the Forest Service policy for
wilderness fire management. The future benefits of this
policy certainly outweigh the negative of not being able
to access the area for hunts until late October 2003.
The fire burned approximately 6700
acres in the wilderness with the vast majority being a
slow burning ground fire, which is the best possible
type of fire for the habitat. Some areas in the fire did
get very hot because of the excessive amounts of heavy
deadfall which had made hunting very tough in past
seasons.
I know this is all going to be a
great plus for all our clients. It is documented that in
the next five to ten years hunting will be even better
then it was before the fire in an area such as ours. The
fresh forage and new habitat will attract even larger
numbers of game.
I do stress that the majority of our area was untouched.
In the past we have had some of the best wilderness
hunting for elk and deer. I am very excited about the
upcoming seasons, for I know they will be even better!
You don't want to miss out!
Update
If I was to sum up our season's since the fire with one word , FANTASTIC
would cover it all, lets just say our taxidermist has
been busy.
Even though the weather not always
being to our liking, we still had one of the best
seasons, we scored on lots of elk and mule deer and yes
these years after 2003 fire have been an added bonus,
talk about enhancing a wilderness area, just imagine how
the following years will be.
To see all the new wildflowers and
the abundance of all the feed with fescue grasses above
our waist was truly a site to see and my oh my the
wildlife like it a lot!
So don't be one to lose out on a
great hunting trip, join up for another fantastic season
to come!!
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Bill Plante -
Owner / Outfitter / Master Guide
Scapegoat Wilderness Outfitters
7268 Bailey Road
P.O. Box 824
Fort Benton, Montana 59442-0824
Phone: 406-622-3210
Fax: 406-622-3210
E:Mail:
swo@ttc-cmc.net |
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