locked gate?

[jasnt]

Went out to do a little pre cam placement scouting this weekend and ran in to a locked gate. Sign closed during dec-march15th  but gate is still locked. We hiked in and tossed all the logs and rocks off the road for 3 miles then went about my business.  How can I find out info on this gate. When/why/if it will be opened?

Thanks

[Blacktail Sniper]

Was there any contact info or company name on the sign?

Private individual or company/timberland property?

Identify the owner of the property and start your inquiry there.

[jasnt]

this was the big game winter range off kings lake road in 113. think it's 5000 035rd

[jasnt]

If its wdfw, they could be keeping it closed to let it grow back. They did that to many old roads in the oak creek drainage- some of them still have gates up and its been a good 15-20 years.  Its a good thing imo. 

I dont mind if it stays locked, maybe won't be such a pumkin patch this year

[deerhunter_98520]

It might be a pumpkin patch if you post  big bull pics and this
 

this was the big game winter range off kings lake road in 113. think it's 5000 035rd

If this is the road u hunt u might want to delete the road name 

[jasnt]

It might be a pumpkin patch if you post  big bull pics and this
 

this was the big game winter range off kings lake road in 113. think it's 5000 035rd

If this is the road u hunt u might want to delete the road name 

Nope just my access route 

this will be my 3rd elk season so im not the guy you wanna fallow lol.  I can always find sign but still have no clue were they go when the masses show up 

[deerhunter_98520]

  just get on their trails and start walking ....find fresh sign and walk them down...that's worked well for me finding them....I found a bull before first light one day and followed him for probably a couple miles to end up jumping him maybe 500yds from my truck...he made a huge circle and bedded down...you just never known unless you beat the brush

[jasnt]

That's my plan,logged 19 miles on my boots this last weekend

[deerhunter_98520]

Your starting out doin it right....are you going archery,muzzle or modern

[jasnt]

Modern hunter here.  I figure ill find them and try to stay with them till season opens for me.  Ill be calling for cougar/ bobcat in there come September so ill be there most the summer and fall if I find what im looking for. 

[jasnt]

Im already finding TONS of cat sign!

[deerhunter_98520]

Hopefully there's some elk left then

[returnofsid]

this was the big game winter range off kings lake road in 113. think it's 5000 035rd

Im already finding TONS of cat sign!

You're likely to find a bit of wolf sign in that area also.

[jasnt]

Hopefully there's some elk left then

Im crossing my fingers
 
I been also finding some huge wild k9 poo. I've seen lots of coyote crap and none this large.

[deerhunter_98520]

Wolf maybe?

[jasnt]

this was the big game winter range off kings lake road in 113. think it's 5000 035rd

Im already finding TONS of cat sign!

You're likely to find a bit of wolf sign in that area also.

I believe so! I heard some wolf howls from this area during last years elk season. 3am and im out peeing and I hear them go off half mile up the valley.  I was told it will make the hair stand up on your neck. I didn't know it was literal. 

[deerhunter_98520]

You might call in more than cats then

[jasnt]

from what I've heard just big coyotes in this area 

[deerhunter_98520]

You got that right

[Bob33]

Identify the owner of the property and start your inquiry there.

That's the right course of action. You're trespassing if you don't know who owns the property and don' t have permission.

[jasnt]

Identify the owner of the property and start your inquiry there.

That's the right course of action. You're trespassing if you don't know who owns the property and don' t have permission.

Colville national forest. It is not private property, you must have misunderstood.

[Blacktail Sniper]

That wasn't indicated in your original post, so the ranger station that oversees that area would be the place to start asking your questions about gate openings, etc.

[returnofsid]

Went out to do a little pre cam placement scouting this weekend and ran in to a locked gate. Sign closed during dec-march15th  but gate is still locked. We hiked in and tossed all the logs and rocks off the road for 3 miles then went about my business.  How can I find out info on this gate. When/why/if it will be opened?

Thanks

Identify the owner of the property and start your inquiry there.

That's the right course of action. You're trespassing if you don't know who owns the property and don' t have permission.

Colville national forest. It is not private property, you must have misunderstood.

Given your original post never indicated a location, where's the misunderstanding?  Details matter.

[jasnt]

this was the big game winter range off kings lake road in 113. think it's 5000 035rd

My mistake, I assumed every one knew the 5000 roads were nfs.  Guess I should have edited my op

[bobcat]

On my map I'm seeing quite a few sections of private land mixed in with National Forest, so be careful as to what you're assuming is public land.

Of course it's very likely that the private land is owned by a timber company that allows public access.

[jasnt]

On my map I'm seeing quite a few sections of private land mixed in with National Forest, so be careful as to what you're assuming is public land.

Of course it's very likely that the private land is owned by a timber company that allows public access.

Your correct there is public access timber land mixed in and some private. I have the Washington hunting gps map on my gps. it shows all the land owners names, property lines, ECT.   I also have and read the PDF file on public access for these timber lands.

I dont know which ranger station would have info on this gate but ill assume its the one up by Sullivan lake area. Or is there one closer to me in 113

[returnofsid]

Probably the FS office right in Newport.

[jasnt]

Probably the FS office right in Newport.

Thank you