Ijust got a call from one of the guys on our lease. He is at camp turkey hunting and said there is a huge fire on the WMA. In his words, "the whole mountain is glowing"

I have searched the web but cannot find anything about it. Hope it rains tomorrow.

I have not heard anything yet, good news, 80% chance of thunderstorms tomorrow. (good news for Franklin County, bad news for my day off)

Heard on the local news that the base of Turkey Cock Mountain on the Henry County border was on fire, probably from a lightening strike. They had to call off fighting the fire last night due to the helicopter not being able to fly in there at night and the terrain for the groundstompers. They are back at fighting the fire this morning. News said about 50 acres burned thus far.

That fire is over on the Franklin Co. side of the mountain. It's still burning and they said that it will be at least tomorrow before they can get under control.Boy it's a bad time for that , it will probably burn a lot of turkey nest. Maybe they will have time to relay and hatch . They said lightening probaby set it but it could have been white lightening . Franklin County boast of being the moonshine captial of the world. By the way Dale the peak of the mountain is the Henry/Franklin County line.

Our lease backs up to the WMA. From what i understand it is near the old firetower.

Dang, I hate to hear that for you guys that have a lease out there. Maybe it won't burn up to much. May all the displaced Turkeys come to roost on your lease

If I lived near there, that is where I would be hunting. The turkeys will be moving into the burned area to feed on roasted acorns and toasted insects that are easy pickings now that the leaves and branches are burned away. The turkeys will be moving in while the snags are still burning.

http://www.roanoke.com/news/roanoke/22368.html

I am actually pretty excited now. Some of that area where it burned was very thick.

Heading up midweek to hunt. We will see

I have hunted it many times, I think this is natures way of opening up the forest again. It will be prime area this fall and next spring. I accually park sometimes at the area right next to the old fire tower amd go over the ridge about a half mile of so to a sweet little spot maybe this was burned over and it will be more open it was kinda grown up. I will try to get in there if they will let me and check it out. I will keep you posted.

Jon

Our lease is directly below the firetower.