I’m sure most of the local chukar hunters of eastern Oregon and western Idaho are well aware of the fires going on right now, but here is another bad update for those out of state guys planning a fall chukar hunt.
Oregon had over 1,000 lightening strikes yesterday and the day before with little or no rain accompanying them. The Powder river, Richland and south along the Snake river now have fires burning. Most not too big yet, but with the 105 degree temperatures along with some brisk breezes, it won’t take much to get big.
The Durkee fire along with the Cow creek fire have now consumed over 300,000 acres and not much containment. If it jumps the freeway and heads east towards the Brownlee reservoir, lookout chukar hunters. Things could really be bleak in Baker county for hunting this year.
I don’t like reporting negative news, but several out of state chukar hunters depend on getting some information before making their plans to come this way. When I find some dependable maps of the fires I’ll try and post them, so if any of your honey holes are gone, you’ll know before you head west.
Chukar hunters are blessed with the millions of available chukar hunting acres to hunt on so there still will be birds to chase, but we may have to do some adjusting.
The Reigning Chukar Champions 
Larry, Heidi and I have been getting our intel from the “Watch Duty” app. Great information resource on wildfires, landscape burned and evacuation levels.
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Thank you Erik. Ill see if I can get on it and pass on some information.
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I just checked that site you mentioned and once again thanks. The Coyote fire burning south of Richland has real potential of ruining chukar hunting along the Oregon side of Brownlee. Hopefully they can pinch it off to the reservoir.
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I’ve been in touch with a local , they are not able to get to them , they are growing exponentially
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Thanks for the report. Let us know if you find out anything else. There are many interested in this area.
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The big question is: How much effort has been made to actually stop the fires or is it another let it burn fiasco like the one several years ago on the Cecil Andrus WMA?
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the resources are completely overwhelmed at this time
dozens of new starts last night with 1200 lightning strikes in 15 minutes
but yes things get left to burn
it’s the government, they are not here to help
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1200 strikes yesterday
new fires in Juntura , both sides of lake Owhyhee, 3 forks area and the idaho Owhyhee range
it’s bad
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also Birch creek area of lake Owhyhee and Round mtn out of halfway
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The NIFC website is good source of fire information, with good maps
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Jake and Grady
Thanks for your efforts with this informative bog. I truly appreciate it.
We had some lightening started fires yesterday in Owyhee county.
Fingers crossed for Oregon, Idaho and Nevada and its not even the first of August.
Today I came accross recently hatched Hun chicks. July 24 seems pretty late to me.
Barry
Sent from my iPhone
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the coyote fire at Richland is worse than thought. Burned the whole hill and jumped Snake River rd and burned up the whole Daly Creek ranch
Thompson fire is up to Lookout Mtn and looks to push to the river
God help us and the creatures
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