[HuntinHusker]

I know different folks on here have indicated that they may be headed to the Pine Ridge areas of western Nebraska-just wanted to update that much of that area has been burned by several serious prairie and timber fires over the weekend. Over 50,000 acres have burned in Harrison area and another 20,000 acres have burned in the Chadron area. Both areas are still pretty much out of control as of Sunday night. I also noted the other post on here about the Hartsville fire in SE Wyoming which isn't too far from Harrison. Sad thing is the fire season is really just beginning and it's tinder dry in this country. Rain would be appreciated.

Huntinhusker
Mike Thompson

 

[Josh Michaelis]

Man thanks for the updates, we bow hunt out there every year, and it is one of my favorite areas to visit, keep me updated and good luck.

 

[meanv2]

I am supposed to go hunting out there 9-10 miles north of Harrison and west right to the border of Wy. Anyone know how bad this area was or is burning?

 

[Guest]

Any one know where this is displacing all the goats to?

 

[walleye rev]

I know that exact area................My Dad and my Brothers and Myself hunted that area for 10 years in a row, in the late 70s and early 80s... That is a GREAT area for both Whitetail and Muleys.............Lot's of History in that area too.........

Walleye REv...............

 

[meanv2]

I got pictures last night from the ranch I am supposed to hunt. You can see the smoke in the distance. Fire is only 9 miles away. 2 or 3 days if the fire keeps spreading. Rain is forecast. So I am praying for rain for this area. These people are in need and my hunting trip (while I hope to get to go) is really secondary to the damage this fire is doing. Everyone join with me in prayer for these people in this fire stricken area.

 

[trs8804]

Did it hit any of the Ogolalla national grassland?

 

[meanv2]

From what I know and have heard. I would say it had to, but then I'm not out there.

 

[Josh Michaelis]

I cant find out about the grasslands, we are headed there again to bowhunt oct muleys, i hope for the ranchers and hunters sake they get some rain out that way. Keep it posted up if any of you guys get any new info

 

[HuntinHusker]

The last I knew it wasn't in the grasslands a great deal-they are a little farther north but that news is over 24 hours old so it could have changed since then. My understanding is, the fire has burned out most of the timbered areas from Harrison east towards Chadron. I don't know how far north the fire burned into the grasslands, I assume some. A good friend has a ranch leased up there and it is pretty much burned out as far as he could find out. He was going to try and get up there to see first hand what has taken place. I'll keep you posted as I get more information. (Meanv2, I think you are far enough west that at least for now you are ok. Sounds like you heard from the rancher and he is saying the same thing. Good news could be that alot of the animals will be displaced and may end up where you are hunting.) I 've heard that some of the firefighters saw hundreds of deer and some elk racing out ahead of the fire. they have to go somewhere.

Huntinhusker

 

[meanv2]

I cant find out about the grasslands, we are headed there again to bowhunt oct muleys, i hope for the ranchers and hunters sake they get some rain out that way. Keep it posted up if any of you guys get any new info

Hey Josh, I'm going to be in that area in Oct too. When in Oct are you going?

 

[PB in WI]

Rain

Heard from our kids in Kimball, NE today. Apparently, they got 1" of rain today. Has to help somewhat.

 

[HuntinHusker]

Here's the latest I've heard as of Wednesday morning, august 2. The Chadron area fire is about 60% contained and the Harrison area fire is probably 35% contained but overnight rains have helped a great deal and they hope to have a lot more containment as of the end of Wednesday. It looks like the Ogallala grasslands have escaped most of the fire but timbered areas from Harrison east are pretty much burned out. Areas west of Harrison to the Wyoming state line are safe for the time being.

Mike

 

[walleye rev]

Happened before

That area was burned out several years ago.................It was just starting to come back real good..........YUK...

Walleye REv..................

 

[wind in face]

Thats eye candy country for sure. The midwest drought is being felt here to.
I think the last year of any real rain was '93.
Good luck.

 

[jwoods]

Terribly sad to watch this area go up again like in '89. I have hunted out there a lot. We just pray for everyones safety and try to realize that this is natural. As far as deer go, I have hunted the burned area at the fort and the deer do benefit from the new vegetation. There are a ton of pictures at this site: http://www.chadrad.com/index.cfm It has regular updates to what's going on.

 

[Josh Michaelis]

Hey Josh, I'm going to be in that area in Oct too. When in Oct are you going?

Headed out on the 25th and staying 5-7 days. If its still there

 

[meanv2]

Headed out on the 25th and staying 5-7 days. If its still there

We'll be heading out the 23rd for a week or 10 days. Maybe we can catch up with sometime. Good Luck!!

 

[Josh Michaelis]

We'll be heading out the 23rd for a week or 10 days. Maybe we can catch up with sometime. Good Luck!!

We will be staying in Crawford at the Hilltop Hotel (or hilltop hilton as I like to call it) Maybe we can hook up and grab a bite to eat, and tell some yarns about what great hunters we are.:wink:

 

[Huskers05]

www.omaha.com is the website for the Omaha World Herald newspaper. You can check back to Sunday, when they had a ton of pictures (very interesting pictures to say the least) and latest updates on the fires.