Will the drought and heat cause a modification of hunting seasons and limits?

[jstaylor62]

Is anyone else hearing that if the drought and heat continue that it will cause a modification of the hunting seasons and limits? I know Does will abandon their Fawns if they can not support them. Quail hatchlings need bugs the first 4 week of their life to survive and there has not been enough moisture to support the bugs.

I'm hearing this from old ranchers in the Ada area...

 

[264Magnum]

Old ranchers probably have very little input on how the wildlife department sets the hunting seasons.

 

[Lone Wolf '49]

Several years ago, if memory hasn't failed yet, ODW considered cancelling muzzle loader deer season due to the dry conditions. I don't think it was nearly as dry then as it is right now, so maybe we will have rain to solve all the problems.

 

[Pstmstr]

not for dove, the first day of the season, we'll have a cold rainy front come thru and Texas will have great dove hunting as they all fly south.

 

[Lone Wolf '49]

I will take the cold rainy front. I can hunt five days a week for dove or anything else.

 

[Deer Slayer]

The heck with the doves, we need the rain.

 

[Lone Wolf '49]

The heck with the doves, we need the rain.

That is why I said I will take it, but you know that anyway. Last day I hunted dove last year a cold rainy front came through. Nicest thing that could have happened. Got rained out but sure felt good that evening and it rained on us all the way back from SW OK.

 

[big-triple-d]

I do not think we will see fewer deer this year than last year, but next year is when the drought will be noticed. This article was on field and streams web site yesterday.

http://www.fieldandstream.com/blogs/field-notes/2011/07/texas-drought-causing-deer-abandon-fawns

 

[RidgeHunter]

Several years ago, if memory hasn't failed yet, ODW considered cancelling muzzle loader deer season due to the dry conditions. I don't think it was nearly as dry then as it is right now, so maybe we will have rain to solve all the problems.

I remember that too.

It's gonna be an interesting season; I'm really hoping for hurricanes in August and September. The area I hunt in eastern OK was flooding this spring, and now we might not have a drop of water on the place unless something changes. I really have no idea what to expect. Hopefully October first will dawn cool and misty, and the creeks will be flowing.

This summer has been the worst weather I've ever seen in my life. I may punch anyone I hear complaining about cold, snow or ice this winter. Powers out? Put on a damn coat and light a fire.

 

[Tampabucs]

A few years back Oklahoma had the best deer harvest ever during a bad drought. We still may get more rain as the season gets closer. I don't see them adjusting any seasons. Luckily, I hunt the S.E. part of the state and they have gotten a lot more rain than anywhere else.