Area 3C Arizona

[Wheelchair Hunter]

Like most years I put in for the hunts in Area 3C.  Then along came a small challenge called the Rodeo fire.  In yesterdays paper ther was a couple of articles saying that not only will Game and Fish be issuing the drawn tags for that area there is a good chance that a special hunt will be needed to reduce the numbers to something the remaining habitate will be able to handle.  This sounds good for those of us who hold our breaths every year to see if we get drawn.  BUT, what is it going to mean for the next couple of years?   Given the amount of habitat damage I can't imagine the elk populations will be anything like they have been for some time.  Those of you that get drawn for this great area congrants and I hope you get one of those huge bulls that are there.  It may be a while before we get to go back in there again.

Guerry

 

[Coues]

In 5-7 years that area will be the most coveted tag in the state. Want proof? Drive the roads around the old Dude fire in the Tonto Creek area. That was 10 years ago and was only a fraction of the size of the Rodeo fire. The short term is not good because of vegatation losses. Elk were originally a plains animal, thriving in open grasslands. When people started pushing westward the Elk, unlike the Pronghorn and Buffalo, were able retreat into the Mountains.
This fire will will open up a large amount of the forest and allow grasses to grow where they once could not. If this fire is like most, it did not kill every tree within sight. There will be pockets of trees within the burn area that were not harmed. Mostly in canyon bottoms. Perfect for Elk! It will take time, but the I think the long term future is good.

The game and fish website says that elk are already moving back into the burned area.

(Edited by Coues at 4:12 am on July 6, 2002)

 

[yurmomma]

Rodeo Fire and Elk