Late Season 520 (Winston)

[Bullets_n_Octane]

I've never hunted here in the late seasons, and was wondering. Are the gates closed to 520 during late archery season Deer/Elk? Nov. 27th till end of each respective season?

[MADMAX]

seems for late they are open on weekends, except the opener thanksgiving timeframe which I think they give you a couple of weekdays
good luck
it gets crowded

[Screaminreelz]

last couple years they've been open from day one of modern through the end of Jan. Just have to avoid the active logging sites/areas.

[washelkhunter]

Anyone recall the member who is offering camping on his property near this unit?

[bobcat]

Anyone recall the member who is offering camping on his property near this unit?

wrong way

[Blacktail Sniper]

Anyone recall the member who is offering camping on his property near this unit?

wrong way

 

Here is a link to that thread:

http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,103657.msg1391716.html#msg1391716

[washelkhunter]

Getting a bit of a late start but I am heading up to check out the 520 unit today.

[buglebuster]

Good luck, we killed a couple cows in there last year.

[washelkhunter]

This unit is locked down. All the mainline roads where closed to MV access. You can bike or hike in however. Guess we'll have to see if WY will open it up for late Ar. Saw 3 bt's, one a young buck.

[BowForElk]

The unit is open for all access for late archery elk. 

[washelkhunter]

Boy I hope so. I like what little i did see of it.

[hillbilli]

there are no elk in there late season, by then they've all been scared out.. sorry! 
( but I'll probably be down there some.. you know, for blacktails or whatever..)

[washelkhunter]

Dang! Guess I'll just stay home then. 

[BowForElk]

there are no elk in there late season, by then they've all been scared out.. sorry! 
( but I'll probably be down there some.. you know, for blacktails or whatever..)

LOL oh theres elk in there! The funny thing is I have only seen 1 deer in the last like 5 years of hunting that place. I dont know what it is but to me it seems the area is deer less.  Kind of weird.

[Blacktail Sniper]

there are no elk in there late season, by then they've all been scared out.. sorry! 
( but I'll probably be down there some.. you know, for blacktails or whatever..)

LOL oh theres elk in there! The funny thing is I have only seen 1 deer in the last like 5 years of hunting that place. I dont know what it is but to me it seems the area is deer less.  Kind of weird.

That is no joke!  I have hunted that general area (around Toutle, 1900, 1800, etc.), since 1976 and the last few years there just wasn't any deer hardly to be found.  Had a game camera set up on a trail that has been used for years by all kinds of critters, and in 3 weeks, only 1 doe and 1 coyote filmed! 

Spent some time down there during last elk season and seen some encouraging signs, but nothing like it used to be.  But while the deer may be few and far between that last few years, hunters were in ample supply.

Not a bad area overall still if you spend some time there and put some effort in in, but very busy.

Good luck.

[Bullets_n_Octane]

Disheartening to hear fellas. I usually am down that way for Modern Elk, which is a damn zoo, full of two kinds of people. Stand up respectable hunters who have good morals and abide by the laws. The flip side is all the guys who litter, speed on narrow roads, park next to you and pretty much follow you in. Trucks ful of Mexicans hangin out of the back of the bed with AR's lookin like cartel... etc. etc. LOTS of Elk last Year. After thinkin about it, I do not recall seein any deer either. Lots of sign though. My bet is that they are all hangin out in those overgrown tree farm lookin patches on the North side.

Would like to hit up 520 for Late Deer/Elk Archery season, but if it's that sparse... maybe I should re think my plans.

[BowForElk]

yea I hunt off the 1900 it can get very busy but id venture to say 90% of em dont get outta their rigs. Which is fine. Ive done it. shoot some days Ive seen 20-30 elk road hunting and not seen a damn thing after hiking 10 miles through every draw.  so you can work around it but there is elk all over that mountain. I think the road hunters that let out bugles from the cab of their trucks really get the elk moving 


I wonder for other areas that hold good numbers of elk there is a decreasing number of deer?

[Yelm hunter]

I've had a few nice bucks jump out and cross the road and run down the road in front of me... 1 a nice 5x5 and last year a nice 4x5 just before dusk. Walked out in front of us we all got out and stocked him but couldn't get a shot. A lot of deer on the spur roads!

[madmack76]