Margaret changes

[HntnFsh]

So how much is Weyerhaeuser going to charge? $400,500,800?

That's quite a jump. I don't think they'll sell very many at four hundred million a pop.

 

The four hundred million probably isn't a deal breaker. But that dang $500,800 is just over the top. A mans gotta draw the line somewhere!

[Bullkllr]

Well, last year the St Helens access permit was $150, and they were offering 15,000 but only sold 4,000. So I would think that the price would stay the same or possibly go down. It will be very interesting to see how many more they sell this year, due to Margaret being open for early archery, early muzzleloader, and modern firearm seasons. Not only that, but Coweeman and Winston will be open for early muzzleloader, and they never have  been before. So that will be another reason people will be buying the Weyerhaeuser access pass.

pretty convenient for Weyerhaeuser

A little too convenient if you ask me.

While I see some good things from having the unit go general, I can't say the timing of this doesn't bother me. Sounds like a great way for Weyerhaueser to sell more permits. Why were Coweeman and Winston not open for general early muzzle-loader when the populations were high? My guess is they would have sold plenty of permits last year if the elk numbers were near 10 year ago levels.

Sounds like a great way for landowners near the monument to charge more for their access. Many people saw this coming when the sales were made. Just took awhile to convince the WDFW?...I'd love to know how that went down.

This seriously puts a crimp on options for western tag holders to put in for.

I don't like it. At all.

[elk247]

So how much is Weyerhaeuser going to charge? $400,500,800??! Or is mr Agnew that owns the other land? Or at helens noble tree farm? Wonder who got money put there pockets to get this through. How is this going to help the average hunter?

Kentrek and they guys that hunt this unit; does this fall in line with the lodge that was being built to cater towards out of state elk hunters, or is that in the quality part? Now they can buy OTC tags? It helps the average elk hunter by being able to buy an otc tag if you have a way or means to access the unit. If you dont then it wont help you much,  but then why would you choose this unit anyway? This might have to do with the hoof rot or political influence. Time will tell. Private tree farm access permits are here to stay. Its just a sad reality. Its also a sad reality that this amazing elk unit is getting sicker every year.

[Bullkllr]

So how much is Weyerhaeuser going to charge? $400,500,800??! Or is mr Agnew that owns the other land? Or at helens noble tree farm? Wonder who got money put there pockets to get this through. How is this going to help the average hunter?

Kentrek and they guys that hunt this unit; does this fall in line with the lodge that was being built to cater towards out of state elk hunters, or is that in the quality part? Now they can buy OTC tags? It helps the average elk hunter by being able to buy an otc tag if you have a way or means to access the unit. If you dont then it wont help you much,  but then why would you choose this unit anyway? This might have to do with the hoof rot or political influence. Time will tell. Private tree farm access permits are here to stay. Its just a sad reality. Its also a sad reality that this amazing elk unit is getting sicker every year.

Everything west of the monument is proposed as OTC. Yes, that includes the private land  you mentioned above (aka "where the healthy elk in the unit live").

[skidynastar33]

$500,$800,$1000 haha
I bet margeret gets its own area from weyerhouser. The whole thing smells fishy

[bobcat]

$500,$800,$1000 haha
I bet margeret gets its own area from weyerhouser. The whole thing smells fishy

It could. They might make it a lease area instead of a permit. (or multiple lease areas)

[Big6bull]

More opertunities? For what and for who? Just Put another notch on washington a list of great elk gmu's. Going down the drain. 

[HntnFsh]

I think it sucks. But Margaret has been going down the drain for years. A lot of people are going to be in for a rude awakening when they go up there to kill their bull. That's the pick of the litter. And come home wondering where they all went. I know a lot of people the last few years that came out of there empty handed, or with spikes!

[Bullkllr]

Why not do the same with Toutle?

Oh, that's right...there's all that state land so no Weyco permit is absolutely required and no deep pockets private landowners wanting to sell high-priced access on the best part.

[skidynastar33]

Why not do the same with Toutle?

Oh, that's right...there's all that state land so no Weyco permit is absolutely required and no deep pockets private landowners wanting to sell high-priced access on the best part.

Yep but they could split the unit if they got enough motivation $$$$$$$$$

[SI Eagle]

So 17 points for a bull tag and more units taken away? Doesn't make sense. Why not just issue more permits. My dad is 75 and no way he could hunt the east end of the unit.

[fireweed]

$500,$800,$1000 haha
I bet margeret gets its own area from weyerhouser. The whole thing smells fishy

EXACTLY--Margaret gets divided off for I bet $400 to $500, but Weyco has already sold the best parts of that unit (Agnew/Noble farms and Erickson). 

The USFS is still trying to purchase the part in Skamania county (High Lakes) but has not been able to get rated highly enough on the grant process.  They are not giving up yet, but the process is long and needs support.   

[fireweed]

Why not do the same with Toutle?

Oh, that's right...there's all that state land so no Weyco permit is absolutely required and no deep pockets private landowners wanting to sell high-priced access on the best part.

Yep but they could split the unit if they got enough motivation $$$$$$$$$

The public has absolutely no legal access to that DNR land by vehicle.  There is nothing stopping Weyco from charging hunters to go through their land to that landlocked DNR land.  As they continue to ratchet up the restrictions, the permits become more "accepted", and the WDFW, state legislature doesn't fight back, paying just to get to public land will be next.    Weyco  will say that they can't afford to have unknown vehicles on their haul road, that it is a safely issue, liability issue, garbage dumping, metal thieves, people stealing ferns and moss, rock collectors, you name the justification...and we will all be paying Weyco to go to state land. 
MARK MY WORDS!  If the state doesn't get serious about securing access its the next logical step for Weyerhaeuser to make a buck.

[Torrent50]

Why not do the same with Toutle?

Oh, that's right...there's all that state land so no Weyco permit is absolutely required and no deep pockets private landowners wanting to sell high-priced access on the best part.

Yep but they could split the unit if they got enough motivation $$$$$$$$$

The public has absolutely no legal access to that DNR land by vehicle.  There is nothing stopping Weyco from charging hunters to go through their land to that landlocked DNR land.  As they continue to ratchet up the restrictions, the permits become more "accepted", and the WDFW, state legislature doesn't fight back, paying just to get to public land will be next.    Weyco  will say that they can't afford to have unknown vehicles on their haul road, that it is a safely issue, liability issue, garbage dumping, metal thieves, people stealing ferns and moss, rock collectors, you name the justification...and we will all be paying Weyco to go to state land. 
MARK MY WORDS!  If the state doesn't get serious about securing access its the next logical step for Weyerhaeuser to make a buck.

There are currently other areas of State land that would have access blocked by Weyco permit areas, but they put their gates to their permit areas further up the road and left access to the State land completely open.  I realize that the general consensus is that Weyco is an evil empire, but just thought I would mention they didn't block access to public land when they could have in some areas at least.

[fireweed]

STUPID STUPID STUPID
The WDFW proposal actually takes land from the Margaret and adds land to the Loowit Unit which is CLOSED TO HUNTING (except for ths elk tag). And they call this a  "new elk opportunity"? 
What they are proposing closes deer, bear, cougar, coyote, grouse etc. on Public land that has been open to  hunting for years.   
Better to change nothing with the elk tags if they are closing hunting on vast areas of USFS land.