winston unit rifle hunt

[georgia redneck]

New to the site, but am already hooked. A lot of good info and great picks looks like it is already shaping up to be a good elk season from the pics I have seen. One question though. I have been hunting Indian Heaven for a number of years now and near the town of Trout Lake have managed to get one animal a decent 5x6 Elk which i have mounted. Decided to branch out a little bit this year and hunt the winston. I have been scouting for the last month or so found a decent area seen some good animals. The gate was locked on all roads had to hike in which I prefer but the last time I was up there ran into some guys that said Weyehauser opens the gates during Modern firearm which changes a lot of my initial plans any info on the subject would be appreciated. The area is roughly near town of Toutle and Green Mt mill ROUGHLY:}

[PST]

I used to live in the area, in Longview.  When I did hunt the Winston for Elk with modern firearm the gates were open.  Usually pretty crowded too since it's boardering the Toutle unit, although everywhere I've been for modern firearm elk is pretty crowded.  But there is animals in there.  Good Luck!

[SunniCutt]

I quit hunting the Winston unit because of all the hunters.  Thought I would try the Coweeman, man not much difference.  I had too many close calls,  don't like bullets going by my body parts.  It really doesn't matter what method of hunting you chose, the hunter numbers are high in both units.  Chose to go archery this year, I was amased who many people were in the woods, I have not tried to go muzzel stuffer yet, but from what I hear, its no different.

[Huntbear]

Last year, the gates were open to hunters only during the weekends, however, if you got an animal down during the week, you could get permission from Weyerhauser to drive in during the week and get your animal out.  During the week, the gates may be open, however, that is for the timber workers,  but it was walk in only for the hunters.

We normally hike in about 6 miles one way, every day, and we get our elk too.  Man, that is a long hike out after hunting all day. 

I have seen some guys in there on Mtn. Bikes. 

[HoofsandWings]

You should contact SW WDFW. They will have the info on which gates will be open. If you come off the highway, through some gates, they wil probably still be closed. Usually only the main gates that get you way back into the unit are open. I think you are safe unless you are walking through 1900. I found that the hunters moved game around. If the weather is wet, hunters will spread out more.
During the week, most gates are closed due to logging activities. Listen to the hot line during muzzleloader season. The gates open then will probably be the same for modern rifle.

[heavy hauler]

i might be wrong , but if you are by the green mt mill, arent you in the toutle unit?

[rasbo]

winters mt,between the lake and the mt ruff but will produce.When we would get one we would take it to the lake and pick it up in a boat. That was a while back no gates then.

[sportsman002001]

Call this number 1-866-636-6531 and then press 2 and 2 again and then 4 and that will get you to the infromatin you need for the gate infromation on the St. Helens Tree farm.  They normally update on Thursday sometime.  Good luck.