Unit 681 (Bear River)

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

I am attempting to get info on this area for next year. Anybody know if A-holes on ATV's ride into this area, or is it really all walk-in? Do the "Natives" hunt this unit with their own rules? I know it is steep in places and really thick, but looking on my maps I see that there are several mainline roads that run along ridges that would make great places to hike and call for elk during early season, but I dont want to spend the time and energy getting back there if some jerk on a quad or motorcycle is going to roar past me at first light. I also was wondering if the age class of the bulls is worth passing on an opportunitty to harvesting a cow. How many deer are in the unit? How many bear? where is a good gate to park w/o some knucklehead breaking into my rig? Any good places to camp? Any info would be appreciated.

[spin05]

I have yet to hunt there but know some guys that do.As far as i know everything is gated and no motorized vehicle .Atleast for archery.Couldnt tell ya about the age class or anywere to park.

[MagKarl]

I've hunted there a fair amount.  Like anywhere, there's always guys that cheat on quads.  For the most part it's gated.  Lots of low elevation development where previously good hunting spots have given way to posted land and new homes.  Sometimes the gates are open, during rifle season of course.  3 point min in the early season, cows ok in the late.  Not much logging going on in recent years, so it's getting pretty thick.  Just have to go check it out and see if it's your cup of tea or not. 

[lonedave]

I'm a little curious about this unit as I've been muzzleloading in the Longbeach unit next door the last couple of years.  What about using a bicycle on the gated roads?

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

bicycles are O.K., they are non-motorized and don't disturb the animals like ATV's.

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

  is that all?

[bowpredator]

Make sure you have a bear tag in your pocket, cuz there are more than just a few bears roaming them there hills.

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

I always have a bear tag, I have been applying for the spring permit season since it started and have yet to get drawn, Late season I have seen a few bears but not within recurve range . If I ever get within 35 yards of one I will be happy. Do you know when they open gates? or what Timber company owns most of it? I plan on hiking in for 2 5 day trips next Sept. If I can scout some roads it might give me an Idea of where to start, If the gates are open during season I need to find which ones so I can avoid them or use them depending......

[lonedave]

Check this link out for who owns what.  I just found this today.  I didn't realize that much of the unit was timber company property.  I'll be over that way hunting in Long Beach after Thanksgiving, so maybe I'll have to sacrifice some elk hunting time for some scouting time.

Dave

http://www.inforain.org/willapa/catalog/maps/owners.htm

[mrgoodwrench]

That link has a lot of old info, many of those landowners have changed in the last few years, but its all still industrial forest land other than some development stuff; but thats all to close to town to hunt anyway.  Good map

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

It must be a pretty good unit, nobody seems to want to talk about it much, I read the wdfw trends status report and saw 673 has almost double the animals, although it appears almost double in size. I am planning on doing some scouting down there this weekend and seeing how many gates are open and how many trucks are parked at closed gates. maybe do a little walking around looking for a deer.

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

only 2 hunter in this unit so far?

[Charlie]

Check out http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,8300.0.html in the Bow Hunting forum.

[fc2038]

Hey great link on the distrubution of land. Thanks

[kenzmad]

I quit hunting the long beach and bear river areas about 10 years ago. I had a serious issue with the locals there. I was camped at the beginning of a gated road off to the side in the brush with a tent. every afternoon when I would come back to camp, my tent had been pulled down. after 3 days of this, I was getting ready to go home. on the last day I come to camp and find that they had dumped my 5 gallons of chainsaw gas into my firepit. now this could be all due to the fact that while bowhunting a muzzleloader came up to me and told me he had accidently shot 2 cows and would I help him get the animals out to the road. I took him to where the elk were but the gamey was already there. he got popped for hunting with an illegal weapon(bear river is archery only) as well as wastage and a few other things. the locals 6-8 of them were there also and saw me with this guy. as one of the locals was pulling out, we noticed an elk on the trailer hitch rack. full elk, hide,hooves, guts but no head. I asked the warden if she thought that was unusual to bring a whole animal out of the woods but leave the head and she said it is legal as long as the sex organs are attached. I know she is right on that but we only were able to find one of the 2 cows this muzzleloader shot and he had already told her that one of them was a head shot. I go hunting for peace and solitude, not to set up camp 5 times in a week. not saying it is still going on but I will not partake.

kenzmad