It definately has changed since Weyerhauser owned the area, used to be pretty crowded during the first week on state land while WH was closed for fire danger, then thin out when the gates opened.
Now with most gates closed all season by Hancock, allowing walk in, more vehicles parked at gates, but most only hunt a few (one-two) miles in, and drive all over state land.
Every clearcut has a truck parked at landing, but the elk take to the trees...
not hard to find a place to be alone, park the vehicle and explore...
Use other hunters to your advantage, the elk can hide in a pocket and stay there unless someone bumps them, then travel to another "hidey hole"
Find travel routes in open road areas, sit and wait..
If you like calling for them (like I do) get at least a mile from gate before daylight and hunt all day.
I average 4-5+ miles to get into vocal animals, but you need wheels (or really good friends) to get an animal out.
I dream of a big bull, but as I get further in, I pray for a calf
The locker in town closed last year, so meat care is important, the closest cold storage is near South Bend, so sticking an arrow in an animal late in the day, far back from the gate will require extra effort.
Good news is, closed gates restrict "Native Harvest" but most animals that do get harvested are on private property, by friends and family of landowners.
It is nice to see a herd of elk that is hanging near town, but "No Tresspassing" signs are the norm.
Most other guys access roads that take them behind private property, but they seldom actually go further.
Apple piles will get lots of bear activity, so baiting is not really an option.
It is near the coast, so salt by itself is not a draw, but mineral (selenium) does seem to attract them during the spring...
The main thing I have learned is any major drainage will hold a herd, you just have to find them.
Success rates are reflective of private property harvest, and late season, so consider that although harvest reports might show a 10%-15% success rate, a lot of those are shot from someones kitchen window (locals dont "hunt") Plus I have heard that they do open the gates for modern, they have been closed every time I have been in area.
I have thoroughly enjoyed the last 6 seasons down there, and had several close encounters, but only one dead animal, the brush is thick, visibility is limited, and when you are within feet of a herd, you sometimes cannot pick out the legal animal (lots of small bulls)
Still a great time, if you plan on scouting this summer PM me and we might figure out a "ride share"
P.S. Do you have a Mtn. Bike ?
