Private Timberlands Charging for Access. What's next? What can we do?

[bowbuild]

I have repeatedly said this....Weyerhauser leaves a lot of their gates open all year. Although it is the "publics" fault for the dumping, vandlism and general disrespect for the property.....If they would shut the damn gates in the off season (not hunting season) they would end the MAJORITY of their problems in my opinion. We as hunters are taking the brunt of all the bad, and they are having "us" pay for when the forest is empty of eyes.

Bowbuild

[jay.sharkbait]

15,000 St Helens permits at $150 each. Isn't that over 2 million dollars?

Had no idea they were putting out 15,000 permits 

Where are you guys getting this 15,000 number?

[washelkhunter]

I have repeatedly said this....Weyerhauser leaves a lot of their gates open all year. Although it is the "publics" fault for the dumping, vandlism and general disrespect for the property.....If they would shut the damn gates in the off season (not hunting season) they would end the MAJORITY of their problems in my opinion. We as hunters are taking the brunt of all the bad, and they are having "us" pay for when the forest is empty of eyes.

Bowbuild

Probably true.

[Humptulips]

My opinion, If you want things to change back more like they were probably the only way is the Initiative process. Probably never get back drive in access but maybe walk in.
Looks to me like Legislators aren't going to touch it.
WDFW won't do anything. Mostly their hands are tied but they could do something with damage permits  but likely worried about a lawsuit.
Talking to the companies involved is a waste of time. They have one motive only and that is money. Why should they take a step back from this and lose some money.

I do think Big Tex is right. They aren't making much money now. They are looking to the future though. Once they get you used to paying the price will start climbing.

A carefully worded Initiative attacking their favored tax status for land being used for recreational pay for access would stand a good chance of passage but it would cost money. I know when we fought and lost I-713 we were told we needed at least a half million $ to stand a chance. That figure has likely gone up.

[t6]

Bowbuild,

Weyco only leaves gates open because of the access to DNR or other State lands.  Not because they want to. 

If Weyco sells out all their permits, they stand to make 2.5 mil.  Its just a matter of time before the cost to hunt causes a reduction in hunters in WA.  In time there will be a loss of sales in hunting licenses, permits, and even rented campsites or motels.   Do you think that Weyco is going to share their profit with WDFW or those businesses that rely on hunters during the usual off season of camper? 

NO.... Everyone in WA has something to loose.  Loss in revenue to WDFW will result in higher licensing fees.  Loss in revenue to the camps or motels will result in higher costs during their other seasons.  How many of us take our families on vacation in the summer?   

Even the State will loose money in time.  Loss in sales.....loss in sales taxes. 

[longwalker]

We could stage a massive protest up headquarters road. Close the gate and chain ourselves to it. Big media show. If you are'nt aware of it Weyerhauser is a publicly traded REIT. I say screw em. A thousand rigs should pour into the St. Helens farm on opening day. What are they going to do?

cracks me up the issue people take with how people manage there PRIVATE property. if a bunch of guys wanted unlimited access to your living room you think they should chain themselves to your toilet to get it? what a joke. be careful of the slippery slopes you guy are so eager to step out on 

[CAMPMEAT]

Private is private is private. It's too bad people get hooked on 1 hunting spot or camping. Always have a backup......

[skidynastar33]

My opinion, If you want things to change back more like they were probably the only way is the Initiative process. Probably never get back drive in access but maybe walk in.
Looks to me like Legislators aren't going to touch it.
WDFW won't do anything. Mostly their hands are tied but they could do something with damage permits  but likely worried about a lawsuit.
Talking to the companies involved is a waste of time. They have one motive only and that is money. Why should they take a step back from this and lose some money.

I do think Big Tex is right. They aren't making much money now. They are looking to the future though. Once they get you used to paying the price will start climbing.

A carefully worded Initiative attacking their favored tax status for land being used for recreational pay for access would stand a good chance of passage but it would cost money. I know when we fought and lost I-713 we were told we needed at least a half million $ to stand a chance. That figure has likely gone up.

Thank you finally a comment about something we can do. We got to get past the bickering stage and do something. Just wish I knew the right actions to take. That's why I'm asking it on here.

As far as contacting certain people in Weyco or Wdfw as being a waste of time I would disagree. If so and so rolled up some Monday morning and had hundreds of angry we'll written email in there box and got new ones everyday it would do something.

And for those who think that this doesn't affect them is wrong. One if u hunt on the eastside, you going to have thousands more this year. Just look at the forum a lot are saying there switching to eastside. Or if your backup spots are on the westside you are going to have a lot more new company. Also if you hunt any other timber lands in the state if this works for Weyco it will work for any of them! It does matter

[skidynastar33]

Bowbuild,

Weyco only leaves gates open because of the access to DNR or other State lands.  Not because they want to. 

If Weyco sells out all their permits, they stand to make 2.5 mil.  Its just a matter of time before the cost to hunt causes a reduction in hunters in WA.  In time there will be a loss of sales in hunting licenses, permits, and even rented campsites or motels.   Do you think that Weyco is going to share their profit with WDFW or those businesses that rely on hunters during the usual off season of camper? 

NO.... Everyone in WA has something to loose.  Loss in revenue to WDFW will result in higher licensing fees.  Loss in revenue to the camps or motels will result in higher costs during their other seasons.  How many of us take our families on vacation in the summer?   

Even the State will loose money in time.  Loss in sales.....loss in sales taxes.

Your right on with this ! Everyone loses

[bobcat]

In most cases there is no requirement for Weyerhaeuser to leave gates open for the public to access state land. If they do that, it's entirely voluntary.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[KFhunter]

Private is private is private. It's too bad people get hooked on 1 hunting spot or camping. Always have a backup......

The water gets muddied up a little when it's cooperate, no single person owns it but rather stake holders who come and go with the push of a computer button as they sell or buy stock in the company. 

The water gets thick and murky when you keep in mind that many of these stake holders are foreign, and many coorperations are wholly foreign...keeping US Citizens off US soil owned by Chinese/other.

 "Private is private is private" reaffirms cooperate "personhood".  The water gets further muddied up when said cooperation gets tax benefits, subsidies and deferrals.

[jay.sharkbait]

These threads are always interesting......

[bobcat]

Corporation/corporate, not cooperation/cooperate.

[BULLBLASTER]

IEP is in the Spokane area.

Oh, and Weyerhaeuser is allowing a couple cords of firewood with the Pe Ell permit this year.

But either way, if the fee is too high, that should be obvious if permits don't sell out.

good on weyco for allowing firewood collection! That is a perk that will help peoe see value in the access permit. And put some waste to use. As of now weyco wont see my money to hunt therethis year future years I cant say . But you are correct in that the market will set the value at the end of the day. I have bought iep permits the last 15 years and agree the landowner can set the rules but 150 is more than its worth to me right now...
btw iep is inland empire paper company.

[CAMPMEAT]

I'm going to bed................