Margaret--should it go general or stay permit

[fireweed]

Game Dept survey asks whether Margaret should go general season.  Says landowners (aka Weyerhaeuser) want this...  Sounds like Big W wants to sell more access permits for more cash. 

Here's the link.
http://wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/regulations/seasonsetting/2015-2017/comments.php

[Hunter Dug]

I think both Toutle and Margret should go general.

[Tbar]

I would rather not see either go general.  There is too few "quality" or "bull" hunts as it is on the West side.  Many of the units have already turned to an oil tag and these going general would make long shot tags turn to slim to no chance of drawing. I would rather see the entire state go permit only(severely limiting access permit sales) than more units go general. Winston could be lights out awesome (IMO) if the elk were given a break from the relentless pressure they get during hunting season.

[sirmissalot]

Of course weyco wants it general. Why would we want it to go general? We only have a handful of special permits we can put in for on the west side especially for archery and especially in the bull category. Having drawn the tag before I really enjoy having the opportunity to hunt an area with a high concentration of elk and low hunting pressure.

[Big6bull]

I would rather not see either go general.  There is too few "quality" or "bull" hunts as it is on the West side.  Many of the units have already turned to an oil tag and these going general would make long shot tags turn to slim to no chance of drawing. I would rather see the entire state go permit only(severely limiting access permit sales) than more units go general. Winston could be lights out awesome (IMO) if the elk were given a break from the relentless pressure they get during hunting season.

I agree. And If they made those two units general season I would probly hunt out of state. Only two units I put in for.... 

[sirmissalot]

They need to make more units special permit not less. I would be all for a statewide draw for everything but predators.

[bowhunterty]

They also had the option of having part of unit and keeping the Margaret Backcountry special permit.

[bowhunterty]

Sorry part of unit general than other part in Margaret Backcountry permit.

[bradslam]

With what has been transpiring with pay for access by the timber companies, my attitude is who cares what they want?  To heck with them.  I've also had the Margaret tag and there is not enough decent permit hunts on the Westside as it is.

[sneakyjake]

If those go general, what are the odds they will turn some of the surrounding units into permits?  That would pretty much $&@& up my hunt if they permitted my unit.  If it did go general, wouldn't the private owners be able to sell high dollar elk hunts in areas that were formally accessed by tax paying Washington residents?

[bobcat]

We need more permit only units, not less, like others have said. (In my opinion)

I don't like the idea of giving Weyerhaeuser all control over wildlife management in SW Washington.

Let's make Ryderwood, Winston, Fall River, Lincoln, Minot Peak, and Coweeman permit only as well.

[bullcanyon]

Keep it permit only.  Not enough permit options as it is.  Wdfw will lose money on permit sales.  If they agree to this then weyeco is lining their pockets.

[Meat Truck]

I think leaving it alone is best.  I'd hate to see it go general and have it be like the Winston, with five million people there.  As it is, it's a rare opportunity to get after them on the west side without a hunter every 100 yds.  I know the elk aren't what they used to be, but whatever.  I have the bull tag this year, and can't wait to have that many elk, with so few people hunting them.  I'd be very happy with a 5 point w/ my bow.

[TMortensen]

I think the best option would be to make the private lands part of Margret into the toutle and then combine the upper smith creek, Margret back country and mt whittier into one Quality unit. 

[huntingfool7]

We need more permit only units, not less, like others have said. (In my opinion)

I don't like the idea of giving Weyerhaeuser all control over wildlife management in SW Washington.

Let's make Ryderwood, Winston, Fall River, Lincoln, Minot Peak, and Coweeman permit only as well.

    I commented - status quo but wouldn't be opposed to making all fee access areas permit only.  Let the Big W, Hancock and Rayonier wrap their special access permits around a WDFW tag drawing.