Hunters Warned To Prepare For Snow In Back-Country

Hunters and other outdoor enthusiasts are advised to prepare for snow if heading into the back-country, U.S. Forest Service districts advised Friday.

Hoodoo Pass in the St. Joe Ranger District has 5 feet of snow, while Priest Lake has 4 to 6 inches of snow at the ranger station and 8 to 12 inches on Granite Creek Road, said Bob Kasun, Panhandle forests hydrologist.

The Priest Lake airstrip also has too much snow to allow planes to land, according to Forest Service reports.

So far, Kasun knows of no hunters stranded on drifted-in forest roads, but warned that anyone traveling on back-country roads should be prepared with four-wheel drive vehicles, chains and emergency clothing, food and equipment.

Kasun, who records weekly avalanche bulletins in the winter, warned that because of the heavy wet snow conditions, avalanches are a possibility. He said if the snow continues, he might start the weekly bulletins early this season.

The Clearwater National Forest also issued a warning to hunters that 4 feet of snow is accumulating on high elevation roads.

, DataTimes