From the National Forest Websites: To better provide public and firefighter safety due to the ongoing California wildfire crisis, USDA Forest Service Pacific Southwest Region is announcing a temporary closure of all National Forests in California. This closure will be in effect from Aug. 31, 2021 at 11:59 p.m. through September 17, 2021 at 11:59 p.m. This order does not affect the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, which is not in the Pacific Southwest Region.
“We do not take this decision lightly but this is the best choice for public safety,” said Regional Forester Jennifer Eberlien. “It is especially hard with the approaching Labor Day weekend, when so many people enjoy our national forests.”
What does this mean for you, the bowhunter that has tags for opening day? Either find some BL M or private land or wait until the rifle season to hunt. So much for bowhunting! And people wonder why I hunt out of state more and more each year. And no, this is not the first time this has happened in California.
Here’s why I have such an issue with the closure as a bowhunter. There has been little to no planning of forest management in the 15 years I have lived here. That is a MAJOR problem that you should all b e concerned with. And while I understand the need to close it due to lack of personnel to fight fires down here (they are up fighting fires in Northern Cali), we hunters are the ones who get punished. We pay a lot of money for our tags, spend money on gasoline and wear and tear on or vehicles when scouting, and more. Then the state of California says the forests are closed. We have to eat the tag costs, do not get a refund and lose the points we used if we do not get the tag returned to Sacramento before the start of the season on that tag.
My issue with this is that campers, hikers, and recreational users are not charged to use the forest in many cases. Sure, the Adventure Pass is supposed to be purchased and displayed, but tell me the last time you saw a majority of the vehicles displaying an AP while parked on National Forest lands? I know I have seen very few over the years. Most people have no idea they need one! We hunters know we need to have a license and tags to hunt. Why can’t we hunters have a pass to display that comes with our license and the other recreational users have a separate tag? Then, if they don’t display, they get fined $50 each time instead of the $5 it is now, that they really don’t enforce?
While this is going on, I am already planning out of state hunts. I practice and hone my archery skills year-round to be able to go bowhunting. I absolutely love bowhunting and think many of you do, too. This is ongoing and truly needs to be addressed on a much higher level. What are your plans now due to these closures? Will you find other BLM land or some private land? Please email me your thoughts or leave a comment here. I’m not looking for “your spot” where you hunt, I simply want to hear your opinion on this issue.
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