Fossil Creek?

[HoofsandWings]

Where is it? I see that wherever it is, the permits cost $375.

[bobcat]

South side of the Willapa Hills GMU.

[BowBender87]

That permit went up over a 100 bucks from last year 

[HoofsandWings]

That permit went up over a 100 bucks from last year 

I think they are still trying to hone the price. Once the permits don't sell out in one day or one week, due to cost of the permit, you will see that cost in future years.
So if, for $375 the permits sell out in one day, next year the cost will be $475.

[jeffro]

Hunted it last year, and it is a good area. We were in the elk every day and I pasted on a three point hoping for bigger.
That being said, I think the loggers do extremely well in there and thin the herd in the earlier seasons.
The only thing that made it worth the money was the firewood, you're allowed a load per day and I got my monies worth and then some.
Never did get a chance to fish the river, it looked very tempting though.

[blackveltbowhunter]

@ Jeffro.... what season were you hunting?

[jeffro]

General modern

[blackveltbowhunter]

Gotcha. Thank you  Was contemplating getting the permit, but didnt know if they shut it down during early archery.

[jeffro]

It shouldn't ever be closed. If you go for it let me know and I'll give you a few pointers.

[tman24]

I've gotten that permit the last 2 years for archery and loved it.  I had access during early season. I'm disappointed that they raised the price so much.  With the price now and fuel,  camp supplies etc... .  I can buy an out of state licence and tags and be ahead.

[shadowless_nite]

I've gotten that permit the last 2 years for archery and loved it.  I had access during early season. I'm disappointed that they raised the price so much.  With the price now and fuel,  camp supplies etc... .  I can buy an out of state licence and tags and be ahead.

Same here, bought it last year and was in elk everyday in the early archery season and late archery season just never got a good opportunity for a shot. I was already disappointed in the fact that the area I use to hunt for free is now limited to access permit holders and every year it gets worse. Now its $375 and only from mid august to end of late elk season. You cant even be out there for the bear opener. I wish they would go back to shutting the gate and letting you bike in for free. Great area none the less just sad to see it turn to this situation

[blackveltbowhunter]

It shouldn't ever be closed. If you go for it let me know and I'll give you a few pointers.

Thank you for th info, I will let you know if I go for it. Havent been in there the past two years, but it was a go to prior to that. Killed several bulls in that area prior to the closure really sucked when they went to the pass.

I've gotten that permit the last 2 years for archery and loved it.  I had access during early season. I'm disappointed that they raised the price so much.  With the price now and fuel,  camp supplies etc... .  I can buy an out of state licence and tags and be ahead.

Same here, bought it last year and was in elk everyday in the early archery season and late archery season just never got a good opportunity for a shot. I was already disappointed in the fact that the area I use to hunt for free is now limited to access permit holders and every year it gets worse. Now its $375 and only from mid august to end of late elk season. You cant even be out there for the bear opener. I wish they would go back to shutting the gate and letting you bike in for free. Great area none the less just sad to see it turn to this situation

   Agreed. I have been going outta state since the pass, Its not even the money for me....... Its the darn principle of it.  I was reconsidering with the recent weyco passes closing up more areas, and their possible shutdowns during early archery. It looked more appealing.... But I think I would rather plan another outta state hunt instead. 

[tjsr61]

We have bought the permit every year. It is a nice area but the 375 price tag is way too high. There are good animals in the area but you have to hunt them. I hope people realize that they are raising it just to see how much we are willing to pay! Please let Rayonier know that this price increase is out of line. I or our group will not be purchasing for that price. Its sad to see this is what everyone is doing but we can control price by sticking together!!!

[shadowless_nite]

We have bought the permit every year. It is a nice area but the 375 price tag is way too high. There are good animals in the area but you have to hunt them. I hope people realize that they are raising it just to see how much we are willing to pay! Please let Rayonier know that this price increase is out of line. I or our group will not be purchasing for that price. Its sad to see this is what everyone is doing but we can control price by sticking together!!!

Already sent a email to them about it to let them know its bs especially with shortening of the access dates. I too will not be purchasing this permit and neither will anyone else from my hunting party

[HoofsandWings]

This year is August 24th. What was it before??

[tjsr61]

It was Aug 15 to Dec 31. I have also sent multiple emails with no response!

[HoofsandWings]

My information is as soon as you buy the permit, you can have walk-in access.

BTW, how are you addressing the e-mails? Are you editorializing?
You should treat these as corporate communications where you are writing your boss.
I wrote and received a same day response.

[tjsr61]

If you read the contract or lease agreement you'll see there is some grey area on the walk-in portion and dates, but after talking with rayonier they are saying the aug and dec dates are the only time you are allowed on their property. Emails are sent appropriate

[tman24]

I sent an email and got a response next day. They basically said sorry, but we feel we have a prestine hunting area and they are in line (price wise) with the Kapowsin tree farm.  They also pointed out of all the permits on Kapowson only 5 elk permits are given out.  Also they pointed out that with the increase I can save fuel money by camping on their land.

[tjsr61]

I sent an email and got a response next day. They basically said sorry, but we feel we have a prestine hunting area and they are in line (price wise) with the Kapowsin tree farm.  They also pointed out of all the permits on Kapowson only 5 elk permits are given out.  Also they pointed out that with the increase I can save fuel money by camping on their land.

Oh how nice save money by camping(like I do every year) when I paid less. lol I'm sorry I just cant see spending that much on an area that I don't consider pristine, don't get me wrong it is a good area especially for bow hunters. Oh well If we play we pay wright? It would be great if no one bought till the dropped price!

[shadowless_nite]

I sent an email and got a response next day. They basically said sorry, but we feel we have a prestine hunting area and they are in line (price wise) with the Kapowsin tree farm.  They also pointed out of all the permits on Kapowson only 5 elk permits are given out.  Also they pointed out that with the increase I can save fuel money by camping on their land.

Oh how nice save money by camping(like I do every year) when I paid less. lol I'm sorry I just cant see spending that much on an area that I don't consider pristine, don't get me wrong it is a good area especially for bow hunters. Oh well If we play we pay wright? It would be great if no one bought till the dropped price!

agreed, I paid nothing to camp outside the permit area and ride my bike in from the gate. A few miles in the morning on bike in the dark is a lot cheaper than $375.

[Chukarhead]

I sent an email and got a response next day. They basically said sorry, but we feel we have a prestine hunting area and they are in line (price wise) with the Kapowsin tree farm.  They also pointed out of all the permits on Kapowson only 5 elk permits are given out.  Also they pointed out that with the increase I can save fuel money by camping on their land.

Oh how nice save money by camping(like I do every year) when I paid less. lol I'm sorry I just cant see spending that much on an area that I don't consider pristine, don't get me wrong it is a good area especially for bow hunters. Oh well If we play we pay wright? It would be great if no one bought till the dropped price!

agreed, I paid nothing to camp outside the permit area and ride my bike in from the gate. A few miles in the morning on bike in the dark is a lot cheaper than $375.

Yup, that's a cheaper option alright.  Did you know that you can get free bows from sporting goods stores by just picking them up and walking out the door with them?   

And we wonder why timber companies are closing lands to all access...

[shadowless_nite]

I sent an email and got a response next day. They basically said sorry, but we feel we have a prestine hunting area and they are in line (price wise) with the Kapowsin tree farm.  They also pointed out of all the permits on Kapowson only 5 elk permits are given out.  Also they pointed out that with the increase I can save fuel money by camping on their land.

Oh how nice save money by camping(like I do every year) when I paid less. lol I'm sorry I just cant see spending that much on an area that I don't consider pristine, don't get me wrong it is a good area especially for bow hunters. Oh well If we play we pay wright? It would be great if no one bought till the dropped price!

agreed, I paid nothing to camp outside the permit area and ride my bike in from the gate. A few miles in the morning on bike in the dark is a lot cheaper than $375.

Yup, that's a cheaper option alright.  Did you know that you can get free bows from sporting goods stores by just picking them up and walking out the door with them?   

And we wonder why timber companies are closing lands to all access...

if your referring to my comment, I was referring to when it was open to hunting before this permit was needed. I guess I didnt make that clear. I was hunting this area before permit was needed this way and did buy a permit for the area last year. I was trying to make a point that it was better the way it was before any sort of permit crap. Hunting in early archery you left in the dark from what is now the access gate and rode in and camped elsewhere.

[Clearcut]

The price increase is retarded.. I've known the area since before I could hunt .. It's nice but not 375$ nice... An as far as not being allowed to be on the land till then tell that to everyone who drives in there all summer long while the gate hangs open an unlocked ... An if you read the terms your not allowed to even cut wood till October 15th . So there taking more from the permit holder an asking for more $ that kills me... I talked to the guy who is suppost to be in charge of this and told him if we're gonna be paying we should have access August 1st when bear opens.. An he agreed.. Well I see how well that worked.. Just shows me how much control he really has.. It's outta just getting out of control.

[Chukarhead]

agreed, I paid nothing to camp outside the permit area and ride my bike in from the gate. A few miles in the morning on bike in the dark is a lot cheaper than $375.

Yup, that's a cheaper option alright.  Did you know that you can get free bows from sporting goods stores by just picking them up and walking out the door with them?   

And we wonder why timber companies are closing lands to all access...

if your referring to my comment, I was referring to when it was open to hunting before this permit was needed. I guess I didnt make that clear. I was hunting this area before permit was needed this way and did buy a permit for the area last year. I was trying to make a point that it was better the way it was before any sort of permit crap. Hunting in early archery you left in the dark from what is now the access gate and rode in and camped elsewhere.
[/quote]

Aha.  That's better, sorry for insinuating that you were trespassing. 

As someone who owns a little patch of land and hunts on others' (with permission), I get a little sensitive about folks that feel entitled to hunt on private land.  I've heard through the grapevine that compliance is actually really high on those hunts--but I'm with others here, at $375, I'm out!

[shadowless_nite]

agreed, I paid nothing to camp outside the permit area and ride my bike in from the gate. A few miles in the morning on bike in the dark is a lot cheaper than $375.

Yup, that's a cheaper option alright.  Did you know that you can get free bows from sporting goods stores by just picking them up and walking out the door with them?   

And we wonder why timber companies are closing lands to all access...

if your referring to my comment, I was referring to when it was open to hunting before this permit was needed. I guess I didnt make that clear. I was hunting this area before permit was needed this way and did buy a permit for the area last year. I was trying to make a point that it was better the way it was before any sort of permit crap. Hunting in early archery you left in the dark from what is now the access gate and rode in and camped elsewhere.

Aha.  That's better, sorry for insinuating that you were trespassing. 

As someone who owns a little patch of land and hunts on others' (with permission), I get a little sensitive about folks that feel entitled to hunt on private land.  I've heard through the grapevine that compliance is actually really high on those hunts--but I'm with others here, at $375, I'm out!
[/quote]

yeah no worries, I would believe the compliance with it considering there is only one entrance to the area and definitely a lot of people and eyes. Now I never saw a lick of Rayonier security or was ever stopped and checked by any of their officials. However on the last day of archery elk late season the game warden was running a check point out of the access gate checked for my access permit and if I had all my tags. What he told me was 75% of the tags last year went to rifle hunters, from what he checked himself he said about 30 or so bulls were harvested in modern season alone. Pretty good success numbers for the area. But still outrageous price, it would only be worth it to me if it was $375 for the whole year. now that would be great!

[bowman31]

You will never get everybody to stick together and not buy permits the whole thing sucks I don't care if it is 375 or a 1.00 they started it there and look now Werehauser is following suit just keep paying for the permits and before long we will all be paying to hunt every where enjoy your drive in fire cutting camping prestene hunting area I refuse to buy into the bull&$@8

[Huntnfolk]

Not only is the price ridiculous, but now minors can't hunt in the permit area either.

This was part of an email Rayonier sent out a few days ago:
3.   If you have already created an account, click “Sign in”.  (Please note: Each individual MUST create an account to purchase a permit in their name. Permit holders must be 18 years of age.)
At $375 a pop, I wasn't planning on getting permits anyway.  But I have two teenage boys that love to hunt, and for us hunting is a big family activity.  So I sent Rayonier an email asking if they weren't going to allow minors to hunt the property or if there was another method of getting a permit so minors could hunt.  They sent the following reply:

In the state of Washington, a minor cannot enter into a legal contract, thus the language in the terms and conditions.  At this point in time we do not have anything in place whereby an adult can co-sign for a person under 18.  I am trying to get some legal advice on this, but I am not sure that we will have anything in place in time for this year's Fossil Creek auction. Sorry.

I know there were minors hunting in the permit area the last 2 years and this didn't seem to be an issue.  If it was an issue you would think they could have found a solution during the past 2 years.  Doesn't seem like Rayonier has a concern for the hunter at all.  They just keep raising the price and shortening the access time!