Timber Passes? Anyone else planning for next season?

[Jamieb]

Because of the access permits I'm planning a Idaho deer hunt. I've completely given up on western WA elk and will spend a week during our modern elk season over in Idaho deer hunting.

[Tom Tamer]

With the gas savings and the wood permit, it pays for itself for me. I can be in the woods inside a half hour and is limited entry so don't run into a lot of folks. Unless you stay on the roads. I will. we use it all the time. just some days for a joy ride to just be out in the woods if nothing else.

[Sneekee23]

Will be hunting Idaho for elk and deer... I have hunted Washington my entire life and this season is was my last for elk.  I bought 2 more trail cameras to replace the ones that were stolen this year while in search for a decent blacktail.

[wence5]

Because of the access permits I'm planning a Idaho deer hunt. I've completely given up on western WA elk and will spend a week during our modern elk season over in Idaho deer hunting.

I'm with you on that one. Weyco and any other timber companies can eat their %$#@*+? pass as far as I'm concerned.

[Netminder01]

I'll be renewing my Snoqualmie pass and probably one more Hancock pass. I hunted deer in Eastern WA and probably will do the same next year. If you don't normally have access to wood, it's nearly worth the pass by itself. This year was my first year but I typically would go in for firewood and use the rest of the time scouting. 

I saw a decent number of bucks in the back of trucks and good intel from those hunting when I was ripping wood.

[headshot5]

A few years into the pass system, and I bet their will be a trend towards bigger animals.  Due to less pressure in hunting season (less hunters having access), and high rate of animal escapement.  It'll be interesting to see if it helps the blacktail population in some of these areas.  So far, I have not bought a permit and really don't see myself doing so anytime soon.     

[Taco280AI]

I saw lots of groaning about them charging fees, but since people will pay it and buy multiple permits they're going to keep charging. Soon after everyone will charge everywhere because people keep paying.

[swisski]

I saw a decent number of bucks in the back of trucks and good intel from those hunting when I was ripping wood.

You see those bucks in Snoqualmie unit? I haven't seen a decent buck up there, and I spent quite a bit of time in their last season. Granted there are definitely a lot of animals around, and some great habitat. I know they are there, but they completely slipped by me this year, and I saw a ton of animals!

[bigtex]

I saw a decent number of bucks in the back of trucks and good intel from those hunting when I was ripping wood.

You see those bucks in Snoqualmie unit? I haven't seen a decent buck up there, and I spent quite a bit of time in their last season. Granted there are definitely a lot of animals around, and some great habitat. I know they are there, but they completely slipped by me this year, and I saw a ton of animals!

There's some big boys up there...

[trophyhunt]

If I wasn't so busy in the fall I would get a pass and try to get myself a blacktail, never taken a blackie.

If you want a big blacktail, my advise, don't try!  It will only drive you to madness!!!  Some guys cheat, some just get damn lucky and very few are good at killing big blacktail every year.  I've been trying my azz off to get a 130+ blackie for many years now, my best is 117.  Now I have passed some deer that many would not, but I just haven't seen my ghost yet.  I was much happier when I hunted mule deer and whitetail!! 

[BigGoonTuna]

with the weather we've been having it seems like buying a pass will be a very risky venture this year.  odds are everything will be locked up tight for "fire danger" as soon as summer comes.

[JimmyHoffa]

with the weather we've been having it seems like buying a pass will be a very risky venture this year.  odds are everything will be locked up tight for "fire danger" as soon as summer comes.

I was thinking about that recently.  Even with the new great dates and additional units opening, the dry forecast would likely have archery/early muzz on fire closure.  Could be good for modern.  But, still a whole lot of weather left to come before Sept and Oct.

[fireweed]

Because of the access permits I'm planning a Idaho deer hunt. I've completely given up on western WA elk and will spend a week during our modern elk season over in Idaho deer hunting.

I'm with you on that one. Weyco and any other timber companies can eat their %$#@*+? pass as far as I'm concerned.

just say no;  Public land all the way.