Nooksack Over 65 special permit

[soccerguy]

I'm one of these 65+ guys and have a few points for that elk pool.  I've noticed that the regs have an "Any Elk" hunt there for us old guys to apply for.  I know a little about the area, but noticed that this hunt is limited to only part of the area as follows:

That portion of GMU 437 beginning at the intersection of State
Route 9 and State Route 20; east on State Route 20 to Concrete-
Sauk Valley Road; south on Concrete-Sauk Valley Road over The
Dalles Bridge (Skagit River) to the intersection with the South
Skagit Highway; west on South Skagit Highway to State Route
9; north on State Route 9 and the point of beginning.

Can anyone simply tell me that this area still includes some of the best area in the unit and/or private timber co land?

[Tbar]

This area is almost 100% private. There are lots of elk there but more and more prime land is being taken over by anti hunters. I think there will be quite a few disappointed tag holders come season.  There are a couple parcels of public land that they frequent but behaviors change come season.  Good luck if you do draw.

[ghosthunter]

Waste of time. All private property for the most part.
I doubt unless you know someone you will find no access.

[Practical Approach]

I don't think it is a waste of time.  There is a lot of private property and some of those landowners do not like elk on their property all the time.  I would recommend contacting WDFW office out of LaConner and talk to their elk damage specialists.  That hunt is there to address elk damage issues and I bet the specialist can connect you with landowners that would let you hunt their property if you drew the tag.

[BOWHUNTER45]

Unless you have permission before hand there is no sense in applying ..All private ...same for the youth tag .

[ghosthunter]

I don't think it is a waste of time.  There is a lot of private property and some of those landowners do not like elk on their property all the time.  I would recommend contacting WDFW office out of LaConner and talk to their elk damage specialists.  That hunt is there to address elk damage issues and I bet the specialist can connect you with landowners that would let you hunt their property if you drew the tag.

I live in Mount Vernon. I lived in Birdsveiw for 4 years. Was in the fire dep.t there.

You might find one person to give you permission.

Damage hunts are handled through the Master Hunters as of late. And most property owners only let Master Hunters on because the state insists on it or the property owner may not get damage tags themselves.
Many property owners complain just to get the damage tags, money or free labor for fences.

They might let someone they know hunt if they were drawn.
But the chance that some outsider is going to knock on a door and get permission is so remote that it is a waste of time and points. 

The area described is loaded with homes and small farms. The river runs through the middle of it. You can drive it in two hours and see the whole area.

If you want to hunt this area get a Master Hunter card. otherwise there are far better options for 65 and over and a better use of hunting time. 

[CP]

There are some nice elk to be had if you can get permission:

[Bob33]

If you have time to do some scouting, and knock on doors it could be a very good opportunity.

[Tbar]

I don't think it is a waste of time.  There is a lot of private property and some of those landowners do not like elk on their property all the time.  I would recommend contacting WDFW office out of LaConner and talk to their elk damage specialists.  That hunt is there to address elk damage issues and I bet the specialist can connect you with landowners that would let you hunt their property if you drew the tag.

I don't think it's a waste of time either. I do think it should be a buyer beware situation.  Those elk do a ton of damage throughout the year and spend the season (all three weapon) on the Trask property where they are untouchable.  It is extremely frustrating and will undoubtedly lead to disappointment.  I also realize that those aren't the only elk in the unit.  With the extreme allocation and subsequent extreme reduction in LOPs there are more than a few upset landowners that aren't going to welcome you with open arms come season. I also wouldn't say it's all gloom and doom either. There will be some harvest for sure, but with a limited season and altered behavior it's not a slam dunk.  The master hunters had to put in quite a bit of time this year and many didn't harvest. 

[BOWHUNTER45]

They have tried many things to solve their problem ..It is pretty straight forward ..Have a hunting season that will minimize the elk crossing over on Hwy 20 ..the elk they are trying to harvest were most likely born along the river and are never leaving ..The master hunter thing is not all that great either ..I have heard of many horror stories from landowner about the master hunter program ..we have more elk getting hit by cars these days than what gets killed hunting ..very surprised no one has been killed yet ! And I think it is very unfair for them to pick out certain user groups since now they are allowing a rifle to be used ..How about 3 or 4 permits for each user group ..then it would level the playing field and anyone wanting to draw this tag can put in ..I sit dead center of the herd .. I can take a leak north east south or west and see them  You guys need to think about one thing ..This whole Nooksack thing is not a slam dunk ..on either side of the road ..I seen some go home happy but most go home with nothing ..if you know someone that is willing to help you then your chances are better ..But as most know the people up here are not all that friendly when it comes to hunting grounds 

[soccerguy]

Thanks everyone for the responses.  With a Wyoming limited entry bull tag for next fall already in my pocket in one of the best areas in the state...not sure what I'll do about this hunt.  Sounds like could be disappointing.

[kodiak 907]

You could somehow sign the tag over to me!  I have been putting in for a while to kill one of those Bulls just up the road...

[ghosthunter]

The boundary of this hunt the way I read is south of Hwy 20 and north of south skagit Hwy. And there are heavy restrictions on big bulls or bulls at all. Master hunters could shoot cows only.

Dont mis-understand I am not touting Master Hunters. But being one gives you a better chance at access in this area.

Everyone's idea of a Quality Hunt is different. This area even though I live 15 minutes away offers nothing that I want from hunting. I have hunted it as a Master Hunter and taken a cow. Only because in January it was the only option.

During other seasons or options I would not even  consider it even it, it were 100% success.

Both Bowhunter 45 and Tbar have vast knowlege of this area. 

All I am saying to the OP is this.....If you have no other options to hunt any where else than, hey go for it.  But if it were me and I had other viable options I would not waste my time.

[spin05]

What happened to hunting the hancock or whatever it is and them giving you keys to the gates like in the past? Is the 65+ area not the same???

[3nails]

 Waste of time, no one will give permission, drought will kill off all the elk, bigfoot the others,.....      says all Skagit Co. residents.....