So ive got a public land hunt comin up in a week and was scouting an area a few days ago that had just been controlled burned very recently. Still smoking, no green shoots growing yet. Its an area of 20 yr old pines that is surrounded by thick swamp. Would this burned area be a good spot to climb up and watch despite it being such a fresh burn? Any experience with burns?

It MIGHT be...But I sorta doubt it...If there is decent brows nearby then I'd say no. Now when those shoots start popping up, them deer will be all over those fresh youngins. But if it's as you say, still smoking, then probably not.

Still smoking - I doubt it ??


The start of the new green "shoots", everything will be there eating !!!

When I was working in Colorado there was an area hit by a fire. We hiked into it about a week after it was over and there was a very nice 5X5 bull elk walking across one of the hillsides. Looking around trying to figure out what happened to his bedroom I suppose. This close, I would guess it probably wouldn't be any good. Once the regrowth starts though they'll be feeding there.
-Jake

At the very least, be thinking about it for next year. Ought to be all kinds of goodies for deer next season.


I would keep an eye on it. It will be springing to life very quickly and there might be forbs or something that come in as part of the first wave of growth.

After a burn, regrowth usually comes quickly. There will be a lot of good browse and grazable vegetation. Next year the hunting should be pretty good.

never know. even if they are not feeding there , they may be crossing it. game returns after a fire very quickly sometimes.

Another thought I had is that it might affect game travel by altering food sources. If it does, you might be able to utilize that information to get yourself in the right place for a shot.

Yea i may slip in there and hunt it. I know one thing bout burns... good luck trying to find blood on burnt ground. Gotta aim real careful

I would check it out! I hunted several military bases that did control burns often and we'd hunt those areas with success. You never when ones gonna come by good luck