just lost my bear area

[justyhntr]

Recieved this notification from Hancock last night about White River Tree Farm .


 -------- NOTIFICATION OF CHANGES OCCURING TO 2015 WHITE RIVER RECREATIONAL
          ACCESS PROGRAM 
------------------------------------------------------

Dear Recreational User,

                As a 2014 Recreational Access Permit holder,
we wanted to notify you of changes that will be occurring to the White River
property in the 2015 season.  These changes will be implemented at the
beginning of the 2015 season beginning April 1st. Please note these changes
BEFORE you purchase a Recreational Access Permit for 2015.

The ownership of the White River property has recently changed, and while
Hancock Forest Management continues to manage the property, the property
owners have requested changes to the Recreational Access program for 2015.
Changes are noted on the attached map, which will indicate the new areas
allowed for motorized Recreational Access, updated wildlife escapement areas,
as well as the NEW restricted use area. In the new restricted use areas
Recreational Access users are permitted for hiking, bicycling, and horseback
riding; however, there will be no hunting, fishing, or collection of any kind
permitted. It is also important to note that property owners will adhere to a
different map that allows them drive in access, hunting, fishing, and
gathering rights throughout the entire property, including all wildlife
escapement and restricted use areas.

Firewood collection will still be allowed, however we would like to remind
you that firewood is on an as available basis. We would also like to note
that camping permits have been reduced in price to $100. Thank you for your
continued support and understanding.

The restricted ( no hunting area ) is were I have spent the last 4 years scouting and learning . By allowing walk-in the restricted area I suppose they are going to still get a tax break . Looks like the Kitsap/Mason hunters can add two more hunters to their ranks next year .

[Elkaholic daWg]

So now they own the wildlife, or are arranging with outfitters/leases?   May be a dumb question since it was probably already posted here somewhere but just who are the new owners?

[justyhntr]

Muckleshoot tribe .

[Magnum_Willys]

So this land is now part of the reservation. We are going to see lots more land moved to no access no hunting entities as timber companies lose tax advantages.   

[Halo]

Keep supporting those tribal businesses and casinos so they can afford more land and we can take in less dollars in taxes from them and consequently more from everyone else.

[Bullkllr]

Keep supporting those tribal businesses and casinos so they can afford more land and we can take in less dollars in taxes from them and consequently more from everyone else.

 

"In the new restricted use areas
Recreational Access users are permitted for hiking, bicycling, and horseback
riding; however, there will be no hunting, fishing, or collection of any kind
permitted. It is also important to note that property owners will adhere to a
different map that allows them drive in access, hunting, fishing, and
gathering rights throughout the entire property, including all wildlife
escapement and restricted use areas."

We're blind if we didn't see this coming. Only reason they still allow any non-tribal access is to squeeze out a few more $$.

[kramer]

So essentially there allowing the tribe to hunt areas were they won't have white man pressure. They will make escapement areas close it to general population for hunting and let tribe shoot fish in barrel. Makes sense.

[trophyhunt]

So essentially there allowing the tribe to hunt areas were they won't have white man pressure. They will make escapement areas close it to general population for hunting and let tribe shoot fish in barrel. Makes sense.

Yeah, and as I read it, you guys who buy that permit can't even pick up sheds in those areas.  What a bunch of BS, if they stayed off OUR lands to stay on their land I wouldn't have a problem with this. But now after buying hancock whiteriver, they can hunt almost any land they want and now, keep us off our traditional hunting land. What a joke. 

[Firedogg]

Other sections are also being lost to hunting access as the Nisqually Land Trust buys up land to "protect" the Nisqually River watershed. Most of those lands are now no access or no hunting. A big chunk of Hancock up on the Busy Wild Creek is goint through this transfer now.

Between the state parks land and the Nisqually Land Trust aquisitions a large portion of land around Eatonville, Ashford and Elbe have been lost for hunting.
 

[bobcat]

I've never hunted that area, but this is the kind of thing that makes me want to quit hunting in this state. It's unbelievable that a so called "sovereign nation" can buy up forest land in this state. It would be no different if China had purchased the White River tree farm and then closed it to hunting.       

[Sitka_Blacktail]

You should have seen this coming. Just like Obamacare they try to make it palatable to get the system in place, then once they think they are in the clear and people get used to the idea of paying to hunt, they start ratcheting it down with new restrictions and fees.

I have been warning you here for the last three years that wolves and predators aren't the biggest threat to hunting in this State, access issues are and by a large margin.

My personal protest is going to be cutting my hunting back here to a bare minimum Probably just deer hunting and spending more time hunting out of state in Idaho which, with the new access fees here, is starting to look like a push as far as money goes. I'm also not putting in for any drawings except for maybe a second deer tag or a moose tag. If the State is going to allow "pay to hunt", it's going to cost the state a bunch of my money. I will probably move out of State over this eventually and it will cost the State even more money.

[kramer]

I agree 100 percent. I quit hunting this state back in o7. I didn't quit completely but cut it to bare bones. I hunt out of state every year. Better hunting quality , less people. If nobody bought the permits it may make a statement. The problem is everyone won't band together . It's just the nature of the beast. I never bought the white river permit and really wouldn't now. I'd hang my rifle up if that was the only option.

[Sitka_Blacktail]

So essentially there allowing the tribe to hunt areas were they won't have white man pressure. They will make escapement areas close it to general population for hunting and let tribe shoot fish in barrel. Makes sense.

Way to cut right to the point. Your analysis is right on

[trophyhunt]

Why would anyone buy a hancock pass for the white river unit?  It's going to be the same BS when the mucks buy the kapowsin property.  I'd like to see the map of the area they are closing off to us non natives that have hunted that area for many, many years.

[Magnum_Willys]

Other sections are also being lost to hunting access as the Nisqually Land Trust buys up land to "protect" the Nisqually River watershed. Most of those lands are now no access or no hunting. A big chunk of Hancock up on the Busy Wild Creek is goint through this transfer now.

Between the state parks land and the Nisqually Land Trust aquisitions a large portion of land around Eatonville, Ashford and Elbe have been lost for hunting.

which is why I don't understand the movement against big timber to block access fees which only encourages them to sell additional land or conservation easements.  Paying an access fee is better than no access at all.