VALDOSTA — The wildfire that tore through the Okefenokee Swamp earlier this year shouldn’t have much of an impact on this year’s hunting season, according to a wildlife ranger.

The West Mims Fire, first reported on April 6, burned more than 150,000 acres before it was finally brought under control in late June.

The blaze forced the closure of portions of the Okfenokee National Wildlife Refuge and the Stephen C. Foster State Park. More than 1,000 firefighters and a small fleet of air vehicles fought the blaze.

However, the fire had little impact on animal populations, said Susan Heisey, chief ranger at the refuge.

“There’s always going to be some minor mortality among swamp species,” she said. “But in an emergency, those animals that can fly, fly away; those that can walk, run; and those that burrow, dig down and wait.”

Haisey said the fire didn’t affect plans for the various hunts at the reserve which were announced Tuesday:

• Quail, rabbit and squirrel: Aug.15-Oct. 3; Oct. 23-27, Nov. 1-8, Nov. 12-17, Nov. 19-21, Nov. 27-Dec. 8 and Dec. 10- Feb. 28. On Cowhouse Island. Firearms hunt.

• Turkey: March 24-May 15. Cowhouse Island. Shotgun hunt.

• Deer and feral hog lottery quota hunt. Near Folkston, 5 a.m.- 12 p.m. Oct. 27-28. A total of 40 permits will be awarded by lottery, with 10 permits reserved for hunters in wheelchairs and/or hunters under 16 years old. Lottery applications available at http://www.fws.gov/forms/3-2354.pdf. Shotgun hunt; deer taken do not count against state limit.

• Deer and feral hog archery hunt. Near Folkston. Sept. 9-Oct. 13. 

• Deer and feral hog hunts at Cowhouse Island: Archery (either sex), Sept. 9- Oct. 3, Oct. 8-11, Oct. 15-20; primitive weapons (either sex), Oct. 4-7, Oct. 12-14; firearms (buck only), Oct. 21-22, Oct. 28-29; firearms (either sex), Nov. 10-12, Nov. 23-27.

All hunters must have the appropriate licenses. More information is available at www.fws.gov/refuge/okefenokee.

Terry Richards is senior reporter at The Valdosta Daily Times.