Will the drought threaten bow season?

[mrdux]

Back in the mid 80s, maybe 86, we had an extended drought during the late summer and early fall, much like this year is shaping up. The bow season traditionally opened around October 1. That year the KY F&W made the decision to postpone bow hunting until we received a considerable amount of rain. As I remember, we lost almost a week of season. At the time I was pretty upset since I would drive around and see old folks with huge piles of leaves burning and I would had been forced to rub two arrows together to start a fire since I don't smoke. What would be your reaction to such a closure this year? I'm hoping it doesn't happen but with season just a few weeks away we had better get some rain or the powers-that-be may be forced to consider it again.

[quackrstackr]

It's a distinct possibility.

There was a huge farm fire here just about a week ago. Whenever something catches right now, it's gone.

Wouldn't hurt my feelings too much because I'm not real keen on shooting a deer when it's 100* outside anyway.

It has been looking like it could open up at any minute here now for over an hour. I hope it does but something tells me this is just mother nature teasing us.

[JDMiller]

It's a distinct possibility.

There was a huge farm fire here just about a week ago. Whenever something catches right now, it's gone.

Quack ..if thats the fire they had around Kirksey... they lost a bunch of hay in it. Around here.... hay is a valuable commodity. I'm hearing 6-7 bucks a bale is the going rate. We need rain in a bad way.

[killinmammals]

Kinda looked like a dark cloud might come over BG earlier but never did. The weather channel says rain tonight...but Ill believe it when I see it.

[quackrstackr]

Quack ..if thats the fire they had around Kirksey... they lost a bunch of hay in it. Around here.... hay is a valuable commodity. I'm hearing 6-7 bucks a bale is the going rate. We need rain in a bad way.

That's the one I'm talking about. Quite a bit of acreage burned as I understand.

[JDMiller]

That's the one I'm talking about. Quite a bit of acreage burned as I understand.

My understanding a bearing smoked on the round bailer and ignited the field. A few neighbors around that had hay forks on got a few bails out of the field but the rest ended up burning.

Guys at work with cattle and horses are traveling some distances now to get hay. Some are getting it in Illinois and a few are finding it in Tennessee. They opened up the crp ground but theres just not enough to cut. If they done it about a month sooner ...would have helped these guys out.


mrdux..... I remember them delaying bowseason as well... dont remember the year but I think your close. In my opinion its worse now than back then...at least around these parts. Thunder rumbled for about 30 minutes at the house last night but I dont think a single drop fell.

It would be a little dissapointing if they delayed season but I would get over it.

[buckfever]

It would be a little dissapointing if they delayed season but I would get over it.

Just curious, but why would they delay the season?

Is it the existing fire hazard? :confused:

[Valley Station]

A "few" years back ( 1980 ish) , the Governor declared a fire hazard emergency state wide and we couldn't bow hunt for a while.

[JDMiller]

Just curious, but why would they delay the season?

Is it the existing fire hazard? :confused:

Yep... at that time and I believe its worse now.... I was even afraid that you could ignite a field off hot exhaust pipes on a vehicle if you needed drive through the woods & fields to get to your hunting area.

[naturalelite]

I always thought it was because they believed many people to be camping out during season and camp fires would be left unattended or not properly handled. I don't think there are nearly as many people doing that now since there are deer all across the state plus people are too lazy to camp out now a days. I know I am for the most part. Roughing it means having to get up to get the remote at the hotel/cabin/lodge. I hope they don't postpone it I am ready to let the air out of something.

[12 pointer]

Yep... at that time and I believe its worse now.... I was even afraid that you could ignite a field off hot exhaust pipes on a vehicle if you needed drive through the woods & fields to get to your hunting area.

I have seen a field ignited like that.

[JDMiller]

I always thought it was because they believed many people to be camping out during season and camp fires would be left unattended or not properly handled. I don't think there are nearly as many people doing that now since there are deer all across the state plus people are too lazy to camp out now a days. I know I am for the most part. Roughing it means having to get up to get the remote at the hotel/cabin/lodge. I hope they don't postpone it I am ready to let the air out of something.

We still camp...sorta.

No water...no electricity.... no air. This time of the year its too dang hot to stay in but on around mid October ... it's nice. You can do some pretty good snoozing during a slow rain sounding off on the metal roof. No tv means reading a lot or on Friday nights picking up a highschool football game on the radio. It sits right at the edge of 200 plus acres of hardwoods and about a 30 acre field.

Anything can happen ....but to delay season because of the fire risk dont hurt my feelings too bad. I'd hate to see this go up in flames... lots of sweat & memories made.

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c101/JDMiller1967/100_0793.jpg

[naturalelite]

I would say so Jd looks like a lot of hard work in that cabin. I can do without the TV. Its the hot shower and comfy bed that I miss more than anything else when I am camping.

Good call on the high school football game. I always try to catch a game or two during season. I try to watch Henderson or one of the owensboro schools when I am over there hunting just to mix it up a little. I have watched the schools around here all my life its fun watching other teams.

[deerslayer61]

There is a story in the Meade county paper that talks about the hay shortage. The shortage is due to the late freeze and the dry summer. One farmer that was interviewed said that the rolls of hay are going for 25 to $30.
Most of the hay that they are harvesting is already sold before it even gets to the barn. The farmers are forced to buy thier hay from out of state or thin their livestock herd.