green diamond land, unit 651 warning

[bankwalker]

Just a heads up to anyone planning on hunting unit 651 around Matlock. Green Diamond is putting up all new signs permit access only. There are 5 gates so far including Fire warden rd, pj5, pj13 are changed as of the last 3 days.

[Halo]

So many gates in that country now its depressing, I remember hunting that area when there were more deer than gates. Those were the days.

[raydog]

Everyone i have talked to said they arent buying it. GD is off their rocker. The price is high and gameis low.

[bmccalister]

I wounder if any of the other timber companies are not selling the number of permits they expected or hopped. My guess is they don't want people on their land and this is the leagal way to get around the law and keep people off their land.

[bankwalker]

My and my parents deer season is pretty well over now we hunt 651 90% of the season. Gate changes 1 week before opening day of archery. I can't even afford my tags let alone a access pass. Now I have to completely change my hunting plans and hopefully gather up the funds to get access by the time modern firearm season.
Was looking forward to archery deer.

[Alan K]

The price is high and gameis low.

Not only that, but they give the Indians keys and let them in before us to pilage before our seasons start.

[tkropelnicki]

The price is high and gameis low.

Not only that, but they give the Indians keys and let them in before us to pilage before our seasons start.

that is such crap and they wonder why the deer and elk population is down 

[Halo]

Just more reasons why I feel dumber every year buying a Washington deer & elk tag. If I didn't have 11 deer points, 17 elk points and 19 points for sheep & moose I wouldn't even consider buying another Washington hunting license. When you do the math it's a better deal to go out of state. I'm sure at some point soon I will just walk away from the fairly worthless points anyway.

[cdriver]

I drove out there today after reading this post, new signage on most of the roads with access to Goose Prairie, very sorry to lose easy access to an area I have really enjoyed hunting in. Pulling out the paperwork from Green Diamond now, trying to decide whether to get a permit or not.

[sirmissalot]

This has been the plan for a while now. Not sure how it's a surprise being that you're a local.

Also I've never heard of them giving keys to Indians. Ever. Do you have a source for that Alan? I used to hunt back there every archery season while the gates were all locked up. Never once did I ever see or even hear of Indians driving around back there. Many quads and kids in jeeps and Toyotas who weren't supposed to be though.

It's an unfortunate situation I agree. But I really don't blame them. Turning a profit in the timber industry is hard enough as it is, giving free access to people who believe it's their right has obviously worn them out and I'd probably feel the same.

I used to enjoy going to the potlatch state park and throwing the ball for my dog too. Gotta pay to play...

[bobcat]

This has been the plan for a while now. Not sure how it's a surprise being that you're a local.

   Look on page 8 of the 2014 hunting reg's.

[bankwalker]

This has been the plan for a while now. Not sure how it's a surprise being that you're a local.

Also I've never heard of them giving keys to Indians. Ever. Do you have a source for that Alan? I used to hunt back there every archery season while the gates were all locked up. Never once did I ever see or even hear of Indians driving around back there. Many quads and kids in jeeps and Toyotas who weren't supposed to be though.

It's an unfortunate situation I agree. But I really don't blame them. Turning a profit in the timber industry is hard enough as it is, giving free access to people who believe it's their right has obviously worn them out and I'd probably feel the same.

I used to enjoy going to the potlatch state park and throwing the ball for my dog too. Gotta pay to play...

It was not supposed to take affect until next year in these areas. And this quick change in land closures took affect less than 2 weeks after my boss called Green Diamond when heard her a rumor this could happen and confirmed with green diamond that they WERE NOT making these few general areas pay access this season and had no plan to do so

To make a change like this 1 week before hunting season opens is wrong on many levels.  There are tag holders no who gave to pony up money or waste their points. There are a lot of very pissed off locals now who already spent money on tags to find out they can't hunt they local, sometimes only accessible spots.

Unless you were in the "circle" of people who knew...This came as a very big shock.

[sirmissalot]

I found out through hearsay. Rumors were flying around and several people called green diamond who confirmed the rumors. It was supposed to take effect September 1. With all the recent fires I am not surprised they posted everything earlier than planned.

[cdriver]

Not sure if you were addressing me but no, I wasn't surprised by this, just interested in confirming it. I got the paperwork from Green Diamond a year ago when word came out about the new regs. I do some deer hunting out there but liked it best for the mostly locked gates for coyote hunting. Just about always had the area to myself, except during modern firearms deer season. What does surprise/confuse me is that the maps I got from Green Diamond in December seem to show the land west of Highland Rd  to not be part of the permit area, but they sure are signed that way when you go out there. 5120 and 4600 among others.

[hornhunter1987]

I heard rumors but wasn't expecting it this year....... guess they weren't rumors    I don't hunt those areas of green diamond but I'm sure the areas I do will be next. Sucks for sure! I see the east side in my near future as I refuse to pay.

[bankwalker]

I found out through hearsay. Rumors were flying around and several people called green diamond who confirmed the rumors. It was supposed to take effect September 1. With all the recent fires I am not surprised they posted everything earlier than planned.

It's not hearsay on my part. I was right there when my boss called green diamond,  he had the guy on speaker phone. And he confirmed it was just a rumor.

Circumstances have obviously changed since that phone call was made.

I also emailed green diamond myself Saturday night. Just got an email response today that said.
 "Please be patient,  we will be making announcement in the next few days"

[sirmissalot]

Do you know the name of the person your boss talked to?

[haus]

So this is all separate from the permit program for their Cloquallum and Goldsborough rec areas that started January 1st?

[cdriver]

It sure seems like an "expansion" of that plan, doesn't it?

[bankwalker]

Yes this is expansion.
I drove the loop yesterday from Highland road, down cloquallum, matlock/Brady rd, and most gates are marked now. Looks like a few spur roads that lead only a few hundred yards haven't been marked yet.

I'm very curious what the real reason for the sudden change is. I've heard a rumor from someone who is in the circle of people who knows.

Sirmissalot,  no I do not. I wasn't paying that close of attention until the big question was asked.

[haus]

So the permit areas being expanded, additional permits are being offered in conjunction with the expansion. Didnt ask what brought on the change.

Im rather skeptical of the companies ability to control access in that whole area.

[raydog]

So the permit areas being expanded, additional permits are being offered in conjunction with the expansion. Didnt ask what brought on the change.

Im rather skeptical of the companies ability to control access in that whole area.

They cant keep people out of areas that they don't open up. Like anywhere around Mason lake.

[haus]

Went and checked the updated map, section I'd scouted and planned to hunt for early archery elk season is included in the expanded permit area  Talk about a last minute...

If anyone would be willing to provide some suggestion where to find elk in 651 I'd appreciate it, plz send pm. Scouted a spots outside of the permit zone the last couple days but nothing looked promising.

[bmccalister]

Went and checked the updated map, section I'd scouted and planned to hunt for early archery elk season is included in the expanded permit area  Talk about a last minute...

If anyone would be willing to provide some suggestion where to find elk in 651 I'd appreciate it, plz send pm. Scouted a spots outside of the permit zone the last couple days but nothing looked promising.

I'm in the same boat as you. Good luck.

[barracuda163]

Easy solution.... Don't give your money to wdfw or green diamond. Luckily for me, I have port blakely as a neighbor if I must indulge in a hunting outing.  BTW, I did buy a weyco general access pass just to have one, however I'll be on my way to the dry side of the mountains for muzzle deer.

[cdriver]

I am going to go in person, buy a non-motorized permit tomorrow. Have a few questions for them, saw on their website they have extended the length of time for the permit but they sure have not up dated the maps to jibe with their new signs. It's not the only area I hunt but I like it well enough I will try it, see what I think 6 months from now.

[bankwalker]

I've been getting the run around by green diamond the last few days trying to find out what's going on. One lady told me permits aren't available for the new extended permit area. One guy said they would be available last friday. 2 differential replies saying they would have everything updated on their website last week.

Green diamond is a damn joke. I hate that I moved 3 hours away from my "home" hunting grounds to have this happen 3 years into making somewhere new my home.
I have no problem paying...been paying the last 15 years to hunt tree farm lands Weyerhaeuser and Hancock Snoqualmie farm...but green diamond is really screwing the pooch on this one. The season is under way and I have had to completely screw myself buying all my tags separately now waiting patiently for their updates...

[sirmissalot]

That doesn't make much sense that the new permit area passes aren't available. It's the same permit, they just added 30,000 acres. Same key. Same permit.

[bobcat]

That doesn't make much sense that the new permit area passes aren't available. It's the same permit, they just added 30,000 acres. Same key. Same permit.

 

It's all on their website. Says passes are available.

[sirmissalot]

And they are. I know a handful of people who just bought theirs within the last week. I've had mine and just got the letter about the added area a week or so ago.