Hunting Pamphlet incorrect about USFS Margaret Closure.

[fireweed]

Have followed up with USFS about hunting pamphlet stating that Monument land is closed to hunting in Margaret Unit.
Here's from the USFS.

"The hunters’ pamphlet is incorrect.  The only area of the Margaret unit inside the Monument where hunting is not allowed is the south-facing slope along the north side of Coldwater Lake, where no off-trail hiking is permitted.  This is the same restriction that has been in place for years, so there is no change in hunting restrictions from previous years."

 Mitch Wainwright
South Zone Wildlife Biologist
Mt. Adams R.D.
Mt. St. Helens R.D.
42218 NE Yale Bridge Rd.
Amboy, WA  98601

[bigtex]

Until WDFW changes it (typically in their pamphlet errata) it will still be illegal to hunt in that area, even if the USFS says it's ok to do so because state regulations (WAC) are currently written to prohibit hunting in that area.

[bobcat]

Bigtex, I don't see why the WDFW have to make a correction for hunting to be legal in that area.

Here is what the note says in the pamphlet: 

"Currently the USFS does not allow hunting on the portion of GMU 524 that is within Mt. St. Helens National Volcanic Monument per USFS rules."

So if the current USFS rules say it's okay, then it should be.

[Blacktail Sniper]

You really willing to gamble on that??

[fireweed]

The USFS also said they will follow-up with the state on a correction.

[bobcat]

You really willing to gamble on that??

Sure, I would. But I didn't apply for Margaret so I don't have to worry. And if I did, I would pay the $150 and hunt Weyerhaeuser.

The note looks to be simply information the WDFW is providing. It doesn't prohibit hunting that area. It only says the USFS does. Well, they don't, so who's going to be enforcing a rule that doesn't exist?

Having said all that, I'm sure the WDFW will put a correction online (where most people won't see it anyway) 

[bowhunterty]

Ther has always been a portion closed in the Margaret as stated previously. If the monument was closed to hunting portions of other units would be closed as well. Along with the Upper Smith Creek, Mt Whittier hunts.

[furbearer365]

Im glad to hear this.  I put in for the archery tag and have a solid chance to get it.  Im not sure yet whether which area I will hunt if I draw, but it is an archery tag and I cant remember the last time the woods were not shut down at least a bit during September.  At least there is still an option to hunt barring hot weather and an inevitable fire closure by Weyco.  Thanks Fireweed for taking the time to look into this.

[bowhunterty]

Hunted the Margaret the last tw years. Get the Weyerhauser permit if you get drawn. Some dandy areas on Weyerhauser property.

[kentrek]

Thank you for checking into this 

That area is the only reason i apply for that unit and with the amount of people getting discouraged from hoof rot or private land issues I feel like this is the year   

[Big6bull]

Thank you for checking into this 

That area is the only reason i apply for that unit and with the amount of people getting discouraged from hoof rot or private land issues I feel like this is the year   

There's just as much of a hoof rot issue up high as there is down lower 

[bobcat]

Thank you for checking into this 

That area is the only reason i apply for that unit and with the amount of people getting discouraged from hoof rot or private land issues I feel like this is the year   

There's just as much of a hoof rot issue up high as there is down lower 

I think what he's saying is that with hoof rot being prevalent in the St. Helens area, that less people may have applied for the Margaret permit this year, so his odds of drawing are better this year than in the past.

[Big6bull]

Thank you for checking into this 

That area is the only reason i apply for that unit and with the amount of people getting discouraged from hoof rot or private land issues I feel like this is the year   

There's just as much of a hoof rot issue up high as there is down lower 

I think what he's saying is that with hoof rot being prevalent in the St. Helens area, that less people may have applied for the Margaret permit this year, so his odds of drawing are better this year than in the past.

Thanks I read that differently lol.  I'm in the same boat, and would be ecstatic to draw any bull tag in the area!

[Bullkllr]

Thank you for checking into this 

That area is the only reason i apply for that unit and with the amount of people getting discouraged from hoof rot or private land issues I feel like this is the year   

There's just as much of a hoof rot issue up high as there is down lower 

I think what he's saying is that with hoof rot being prevalent in the St. Helens area, that less people may have applied for the Margaret permit this year, so his odds of drawing are better this year than in the past.

Looking at last year's reported success rates, I'm thinking the draw odds should be getting better anyway:

  Bull Hunts
Mod. Rut- 100%
Modern- 58%
Archery-50%
Muzz- 23.5%
Total overall = 52%

Antlerless Hunts
Modern- 62%
Archery- 13.5%
Muzz- 18.5%
Dis.- 20%
Total Overall = 38%

I know the unit is unique in some ways, but those  success rates are topped by many other units.
Ain't what it used to be by a long shot.

[kentrek]

Thank you for checking into this 

That area is the only reason i apply for that unit and with the amount of people getting discouraged from hoof rot or private land issues I feel like this is the year   

There's just as much of a hoof rot issue up high as there is down lower 

I think what he's saying is that with hoof rot being prevalent in the St. Helens area, that less people may have applied for the Margaret permit this year, so his odds of drawing are better this year than in the past.

Bingo  you might run into a random infected elk but for the most part the elk in the area up there are pretty healthy

[bobcat]

The access fee will probably reduce application numbers more than the hoof disease. For me it was the two things put together. I considered paying the $150 for access, but then thought I really don't want to pay and especially don't want to pay to kill a sick elk.

[bowhunterty]

Last year in the late season never saw any sick elk in the Margaret. Saw some nice bulls also.

[sirmissalot]

The bull I killed up high had hoof rot. I haven't seen many limping elk up there but I watched him for a long time and he never limped so who knows.

I think the low success rates are mostly due to people thinking it's gonna be easy. The Margaret is so grown up now it's not drive around and shoot a big bull like it used to be. There are still a ton of elk and some good bulls in there.

[DIYARCHERYJUNKIE]

Did you eat all the meat?  I'm glad to hear all this after being so discouraged about the hoof rot and access.

[sirmissalot]

Absolutely I did. There was nothing wrong with the meat. I've been a part of killing several elk with hoof rot and none of them had tainted meat.

[DIYARCHERYJUNKIE]

Good to know.  I have never hunted the Helens herd.  I will if drawn.  I will buy the access pass too.  I have a spot I hunt that has a lot of elk I don't really see the need to change areas.  But if the hoof rot and permits displace the crowds I could see my area being very crowded.  So I hope I draw but will probably start out of state next year for elk.  I'll buy a tag for the eastside and put in for archery permits but if not selected I'll hunt out of state.

[fireweed]

FYI
The Forest Service is putting together another Land and Water Conservation Fund grant to purchase the Margaret "high Lakes" area.  It has the backing of the Trust for Public Lands.  If any group would like to offer a letter of support to be enclosed with the grant, please PM me.  I think if you sent one in two years ago (like WFW did Thanks!) it is still good.

[bobcat]

Will Agnew be willing to sell? I assumed he had that for his own private hunting area.  Great news if they can make it happen!

[kentrek]

Will Agnew be willing to sell? I assumed he had that for his own private hunting area.  Great news if they can make it happen!

   its not just Agnes tho...theres a few different land owners up there

[bigtex]

FYI
The Forest Service is putting together another Land and Water Conservation Fund grant to purchase the Margaret "high Lakes" area.  It has the backing of the Trust for Public Lands.  If any group would like to offer a letter of support to be enclosed with the grant, please PM me.  I think if you sent one in two years ago (like WFW did Thanks!) it is still good.

We need to get as much land in the public domain in this state as we can.

[snowpack]

We need to get as much land in the public domain in this state as we can.

Communism hasn't been shown to be a success anywhere else it has been tried, not sure why Washington would be different.   

[fireweed]

Will Agnew be willing to sell? I assumed he had that for his own private hunting area.  Great news if they can make it happen!

It's not Agnew, but to the east of him, bordering the Monument, with the lakes and access that could reconnect the old Mt. Margaret Trail system.