Hunting in the Smoke

hartcreek · August 26, 2015, 02:04 AM

The West is burning and hunting season starts next week. The Fire Precaution is 4 which means no fires other then pressurized fuels. And vehicles can only be used on roads or motorized trails. If it hits 5 then the woods will be closed.

I was sighting in my rifle Sunday and I sure was glad that I was not hunting as the smoke was so thick I can only do things at half speed. Any of you old timers have any suggestions about how we are going to be able to hunt other than about half time with the rest of the time spent trying to recover from all the smoke?

I have seven game cameras set out in the area I hunt. One camera I have set up behind the cabin and I have two years worth of photos and two other cameras a couple months. The game is staying put as there is no fire in the area just all the smoke. The deer and elk must be suffering just like I am. Seeing the game to shoot it aint the problem it is diminished physical stamina from breathing smoke for a couple months now.

FITASC · August 26, 2015, 08:14 PM

Had the same situation a few decades ago when Winnemucca area burned. Pics at Noon looked like a great sunset.........end result we waited........If you can't see, don't shoot; if the smoke/flames/heat drive them, they will be running away anyway.

Good luck....hope you get some rain.

mardanlin · August 27, 2015, 08:39 AM

May sound really silly, but is there not a type of mask you could wear that would serve as an air filter or respirator type thing? Doesn't sound healthy to be breathing in wildfire smoke.

On the bright side, maybe the game will taste a little smoky.

Vt.birdhunter · September 12, 2015, 02:03 PM

Shooting through fog with a scope seems to amplify the obscuring effects. Smoke might do the same.
Be prepared for shooter shots.
Targets may be obscured beyond a safe level of identification. Greater odds of misidentify a buck for doe, hunting partners/hikers, etc.

Keep a close eye on the weather. Change in wind direction or intensity could close off your safe exits.

August 26, 2015, 02:04 AM	#1
hartcreek Junior member Join Date: April 22, 2014 Location: Washington Posts: 1,549	Hunting in the Smoke The West is burning and hunting season starts next week. The Fire Precaution is 4 which means no fires other then pressurized fuels. And vehicles can only be used on roads or motorized trails. If it hits 5 then the woods will be closed. I was sighting in my rifle Sunday and I sure was glad that I was not hunting as the smoke was so thick I can only do things at half speed. Any of you old timers have any suggestions about how we are going to be able to hunt other than about half time with the rest of the time spent trying to recover from all the smoke? I have seven game cameras set out in the area I hunt. One camera I have set up behind the cabin and I have two years worth of photos and two other cameras a couple months. The game is staying put as there is no fire in the area just all the smoke. The deer and elk must be suffering just like I am. Seeing the game to shoot it aint the problem it is diminished physical stamina from breathing smoke for a couple months now. Last edited by hartcreek; August 27, 2015 at 07:24 AM.

August 26, 2015, 08:14 PM	#2
FITASC Senior Member Join Date: December 6, 2014 Posts: 6,654	Had the same situation a few decades ago when Winnemucca area burned. Pics at Noon looked like a great sunset.........end result we waited........If you can't see, don't shoot; if the smoke/flames/heat drive them, they will be running away anyway. Good luck....hope you get some rain. __________________ "I believe that people have a right to decide their own destinies; people own themselves. I also believe that, in a democracy, government exists because (and only so long as) individual citizens give it a 'temporary license to exist'—in exchange for a promise that it will behave itself. In a democracy, you own the government—it doesn't own you."- Frank Zappa

August 27, 2015, 08:39 AM	#3
mardanlin Senior Member Join Date: December 28, 2013 Posts: 208	May sound really silly, but is there not a type of mask you could wear that would serve as an air filter or respirator type thing? Doesn't sound healthy to be breathing in wildfire smoke. On the bright side, maybe the game will taste a little smoky.

September 12, 2015, 02:03 PM	#4
Vt.birdhunter Senior Member Join Date: March 18, 2009 Posts: 637	Shooting through fog with a scope seems to amplify the obscuring effects. Smoke might do the same. Be prepared for shooter shots. Targets may be obscured beyond a safe level of identification. Greater odds of misidentify a buck for doe, hunting partners/hikers, etc. Keep a close eye on the weather. Change in wind direction or intensity could close off your safe exits.