Tag or Refund

[recon6036]

I had a cow elk tag and made it to the unit only to get evacuated because of Fire, which continues to burn.
I know there are a ton of variables and unknowns right now, but I have to make a decision and submit paperwork for review for a refund on my tag or reserve a tag for next year; same unit/hunt. This needs to occur by the end of this year.
I’ve hunted this unit 4 times and have had good success and would really like to go back next year, but the Elk fire is consuming a lot of acres and is closing in on a few spots I’ve had success.
Some Questions are…again, I’m aware there are a ton of unknown's and variables.
1) Take a refund or reserve a tag for next year?
2) Could the burned areas be good by next year?
3) What is an elk’s response to the active fire/heavy smoke? I assume they bail out of the area or get caught in the fire/smoke
I am keeping track of the fire daily and it appears Mother Nature isn’t going to help in anyway, anytime soon, to put this fire out and spread is obviously going occur.
Bless all those fighting this fire and all those affected.
I’ve been in Law Enforcement for 31 years and I’m also a certified firefighter (17 years) and to see this fire consume the forest was surreal.

 

[thomas89]

I think I'm taking a refund and calling it good. I don't know that even a year later, this kind of fire the area is any good.

Tough spot to be in. Although you're fortunate to not have to watch from the front seats.

 

[cgasner1]

You guys shouldn’t be using unit numbers. Way to burn a spot

 

[recon6036]

You guys shouldn’t be using unit numbers. Way to burn a spot

It’s already burnt….literally!

 

[NorthDakota Elk Hunter]

Same dilemma with me. Probably going to wait to see how many acres are consumed before deciding refund or carry tag over.
If say 40,000 acres burn, but unit is 340,000 acres. Plenty of area to hunt outside fire scar.

 

[SAJ-99]

0% contained and today is going to be very windy. I would lean toward a refund. Regarding next year, I’m not sure anyone will know until this is done and they can get in and check the severity.

 

[Finnman]

I've got a tag in 120, south of the fire. Heading out Monday. Rifle opens Wednesday. Temps in the 80's and I'm sure it'll be smoky as hell. I thought it was fall!

 

[Gynaroo]

We had the same circumstances when the Mullen Fire hit the Snowy Range. The difference is our fire started a month earlier then yours and we were allowed back in to certain areas when our cow tag was still open. If the fire were just starting like the one in the bighorns I’d pick up another tag if possible and hunt this one next year. The forest service will keep lots of roads closed for safety reasons way past the fire crews leaving. The area around our cabin was not accessible until a week before Thanksgiving.

The elk were right back in their areas the next year. Their movement was different as bedding wasn’t everywhere like before. But they were still in there.