Toutle access question

[BowBender87]

Well Fireweed you pretty much covered what I was going to say- the problem being that if Weyerhaeuser is shut down, there is no access to the large block of state land either. So it's not like you can just hunt the state land if Weyerhaeuser decides to lock their gates due to fire danger. You won't be able to get to the state land. There is some state land down in the very southern part of the Toutle unit that will still be accessible. But not much, if any, that I know of in the north end.

are you sure? I thought they cant block access to state land? 

[b0bbyg]

Thank you to everyone who responded. I appreciate the advice and insight.

Only 7 weekends left until the season opens! Better learn to bugle better since I have a bull tag 

[Curly]

Well Fireweed you pretty much covered what I was going to say- the problem being that if Weyerhaeuser is shut down, there is no access to the large block of state land either. So it's not like you can just hunt the state land if Weyerhaeuser decides to lock their gates due to fire danger. You won't be able to get to the state land. There is some state land down in the very southern part of the Toutle unit that will still be accessible. But not much, if any, that I know of in the north end.

are you sure? I thought they cant block access to state land? 

Yep.  They do almost every year.

[fireweed]

There is no easement to that DNR for "public access" through Weyco. 
This photo (if it comes through) shows the route to 35,000 acres of DNR closed to all entry by Weyco.  The WDFW is well aware of the issue, and has worked out a "monitoring" system in years past for tag holders.  The big middle orange sign is a WDFW sign.  They posted people at the gate, morning and evening and checked in hunters a few years ago.
I've talked to Weyco. and this is all about CONTROL.  They want control of not only their land, but public land too.  Given the number of county and state roads that criss-cross their timberland, the idea that folks driving through on a wide road creates an unacceptible fire hazard is silly.  They've got to shut that road every year to proove there is no grandfathered-type easement for public use.  ie. they are in complete control.

[lonedave]

I drew the rifle bull tag this year and am assuming based on past threads that the area roads are generally open during November.  Is that a correct assumption?  Living on the east side of the state and due to the permit only nature of the unit, (now don't start the flaming  ), I've ever been in the area.  I've just never closed the deal on a branched bull and was hoping before I get too old, that I could find one with my name on it.  With the success rate and talk on this forum about the unit, I figured it was a good bet!  If the area roads are open in November, can you camp on the DNR property or does the "no camping" extend to that too?  The DNR website seems to say that camping is OK, so I was hoping to drag my little tent trailer over for the season and give it my full attention.  The other thing I'm not really clear on is after listening to the Weyco access message, I can't tell if bikes are OK or not behind the gates?  I assume that if they are closed to all access, that means no bikes too, but there may be times the message would say no vehicles, but that bikes or walk-ins are OK.  Is that correct?  I've got a bike, trailer, boots, and a meat pack, all used, so I'm OK with any of them too.  I just need to know that some sort of access will be available to me.

I plan to swing by for a day on the way back from Westport next weekend, so hopefully I can look over some areas then.

Thanks for any info.

Dave

[Shawn Ryan]

You can camp on the DNR land.  Some of the best camping spots are on the north side of the ridge in the LooWit unit.  Don't rule those out.  Bring water.

The Weyco recorded line will tell you most of what you need to know about access. Bikes are OK unless their entire farm is closed for fire danger. Not usual during November.  Hike and bike beyond gates is OK then.

[fireweed]

That's right. Camping on DNR is ok (need discover pass  ).  Weyco usually keeps their "access corridor" to state land open UNLESS there is extreme fire danger.  They are aware of the anger closing PUBLIC land creates, and in Nov. I can't think of a time the access corridor out of the South Toutle Road has been closed.  They usually open their company gates for rifle season.  Sometimes volunteers will man the gates, esp. if there is any logging going on in the area.  Some other timbercompanies open key gates during rifle too, but not all, esp. the ones close to Mt. St. Helens.  (They want the elk reduced for tree damage).  No camping on Weyco. or other private timberland, and they close their gates at dark--so if you get one you could be locked in. 

[b0bbyg]

That's right. Camping on DNR is ok (need discover pass  ).  Weyco usually keeps their "access corridor" to state land open UNLESS there is extreme fire danger.  They are aware of the anger closing PUBLIC land creates, and in Nov. I can't think of a time the access corridor out of the South Toutle Road has been closed.  They usually open their company gates for rifle season.  Sometimes volunteers will man the gates, esp. if there is any logging going on in the area.  Some other timbercompanies open key gates during rifle too, but not all, esp. the ones close to Mt. St. Helens.  (They want the elk reduced for tree damage).  No camping on Weyco. or other private timberland, and they close their gates at dark--so if you get one you could be locked in.

Is the discover pass for camping on DNR land a new thing?  Used to be only for the improved campgrounds and trailheads I thought.

[Curly]

It should be only for campgrounds, but the DP is now needed for vehicular access to all DNR lands........

[MagKarl]

I drew the Toutle archery bull tag in 09.  Weyco was all closed due to fire danger, but the 4100/4250 access corridor to the state land block on the North end of the unit was open.  I had no access problems to the state land.  Good luck, I can't wait to draw again myself. 

[bobcat]

I drew a Toutle archery permit in 2001. Weyerhaeuser was closed and the road into the state land was closed as well. I never did get to hunt the Toutle that year. Luckily the WDFW was nice and restored the 9 points I used to draw that tag.

I believe the archery Toutle permits now have a season in September, and a season in November. So if you can't hunt in September, you've still got the November season as a back up.

[lonedave]

Thanks for the information on the camping.  I have a discover pass, so that's covered and the message still says the same three public access corridors are open.  I guess I'll throw my bike in when I come over next weekend as the message says non-motorized access is OK behind all gates too.  I just wish it was a little closer to home so I could scout a bit more.

[Bluesdude]

I too would hunt primarily the far east part of the unit, check out Trouble Creek and the basins above it.  There used to be a block of Green Crow Property that you could maybe get permission to camp on.