Margaret Unit to be opened to everyone??????? Is this true?

[Huntbear]

I was just told that our esteemed people up in Olympia are talking about opening up the Margaret Unit to anyone for hunting within the next couple of years.

 

Is this true?  A rumor?  Am I the last person to hear this and a day late on the conversation??

Gawd help the poor souls that first day of opening elk season..

Duck and cover!!!!!!

[Red Leg]

I was able to google this, came up with a article on the
Daily News Online. I copied and pasted the link below.

http://www.tdn.com/articles/2008/09/08/this_day/doc48c0787cb7c16405024147.txt

[Jason]

I have been working off the the weyco 4100 and 5500 in the toutle unit and just today I seen 4 bulls and probably 30 cows and yesterday I seen 2 bulls and 16 cows,I'll be one to tell you theres no shortage of elk in that area.

[Crunchy]

I think that they should open it up for Master Hunters only.  Just kidding...

[actionshooter]

It was a question they asked during the last survey.

[Antlershed]

I heard this same thing yesterday. I hope its not true...

[bullchaser]

I know what ridge I would be stting on.

[X-Force]

I would love it. i know that areas i hunt would have a heck of a lot less people in them 

[billythekidrock]

I think that they should open it up for Master Hunters only.  Just kidding...

It used to be Master Hunters only at one time.

[Huntbear]

I just hate the thought of an opening day in there.  It would be a slaughter, and the herds demolished in a few short minutes.  To many hunters just blazing away into a herd cause they have a cow tag!

I Love the idea of it being a draw only trophy area.  Even if noone from my group can get drawn to save our soul.

The state needs to leave that unit alone!!!!!

[rougheye]

Forget opening day . The indians will get there long before that 

[X-Force]

Forget opening day . The indians will get there long before that 

Now now you cant blame them... the state gives them the right to do that crap. 

[Opportunist]

 This is off the survey.

ISSUE 71:
Changing the Season Structure for GMUs 524 (Margaret) & 556 (Toutle) from Permit Only to General Season

BACKGROUND:
Currently, GMUs 524 & 556 are managed as desirable quality elk hunts in southwest Washington. Both GMU bull hunts have a high number of applicants. Antlerless hunting opportunities currently exist in these two GMUs.

Changing these GMUs from permit only to general season would lose the quality elk hunt opportunity in southwest Washington. Changing these GMUs from permit only to a general season would need to be a gradual change; increasing permits slowly over a period of three years before reaching a general season entry.

Changing to general season would provide additional land for more general hunter access, potentially reducing hunting pressure in adjoining GMU's.

 
Which of the following alternatives do you prefer?

ALTERNATIVES:   Change both GMUs from permit only to general season.

Consider changing to general season in GMUs 524 and 556, while also changing one of the current public land dominated GMUs to permit only (e.g., the old Marble unit).

Change one of the GMUs to general season and retain the other as permit only.

No change; retain permit only in GMUs 524 and 556.No preference.

I'd like to see the Toutle unit south of the south fork of the Toutle opened up to general season after tag increases over 3 years and the land north of the south fork (signal peak/spud mountain state land) tied to the Margaret unit into one permit unit. That's what I put in my survey. I doubt it will happen.

[X-Force]

Why is the state trying to mess with these units in the first place? I dont really get what they are trying to do.

[Opportunist]

 Changing to general season would provide additional land for more general hunter access, potentially reducing hunting pressure in adjoining GMU's.