Toutle Quality

[bobcat]

Regardless of the location of the gate, Weyerhaeuser has the option of closing their lands to all access. That could include the road that goes through Weyerhaeuser property to the state land. They own the road and there is no easement for public use of that road. Therefore they have the right to close it whenever they wish.

[swwaoutdoorsman]

They also moved other gates to allow state access since the access fees for Weyco have been in affect. Yes they could keep people out. Highly doubt they will especially with gate situated where it is. They have lots of money and have gates littered everywhere now to block access and portion off units for walk in or to keep active logging sights from being accessed. Take for what it is but they would not move that gate unless to leave access. I

[Soady]

This DNR site will explain how they manage during fire closures. http://www.dnr.wa.gov/RecreationEducation/Topics/FireBurningRegulations/Pages/rp_fire_ifpl.aspx.aspx
Read it through to understand your part when the bans go into effect. 

[engelwood]

Does Weyerhaeuser shut it down to all access (walking as well?) or is it only to motor vehicles when they close gates and land for fire danger generally? Thanks!

[MADMAX]

Usually the timber company closes it to all public access walking or not when fire danger

[duggyphresh]

Still haven't gotten our Weyerhauser info yet... Does it normally take them this long?

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[RallyDawg]

Has anyone been out there lately?  I would like to go scouting this weekend and I just wanted to double check if there are any road closures.  Weyco hasn't updated their hotline lately and but I see, as of today, that the area is currently at a Level 3.  I would like to scout in the state land and if anyone has an update that would be great.  Thanks. 

[duggyphresh]

Haven't been recently... Planned on going after August first when we get our access.

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[msg]

Used to be awesome , now its not. Lots of tag soup the last few years. Check the very upper end of the 3000 line where you get crossovers from the Loowit side. Read the boundaries. The North Toutle side where the Toutle unit meets the Mudflow unit has some nice cuts and big timber mix. I saw quite a few elk in there when I had a Mudflow tag about five years ago. Spend lots of time looking and covering ground. You can spend a lot of money on gas in that unit. I agree with the post before me. No longer a Quality unit.

[Jayfire83]

Drew the archery tag two years back, seen plenty of Elk. Everyone talks about how the quality had gone down hill but it was a hell of a hunt for me and my partner. Bugled several Bulls many of were rag horns and smaller bulls. We were both tagged out by 10am opening morning of the hunt . The bull I harvested was the biggest I had seen so far throughout my scouting and the hunt. He did have hoof rot deformities on on leg.

[Jayfire83]

Will the gates be open to vehicles durring this hunt?

[duggyphresh]

Yes.  Dependant on fire danger... And permit purchase.  Dnr gates should be open...  Not 100% on the DNR.

[Jayfire83]

I accessed the Weyerhaeuser land by taking the DNR roads to a gate further east than the main gate that most use. I gave me a few mile jump on most hunters, but then again i was archery and all gates were closed at the time.

[Clownbuster]

I bow hunt Whitetails on the eastside on private land and backpack in the backcountry of Idaho for Elk, but this year my 15 year old daughter drew a youth antlerless Elk tag for Nov.23rd - 30th. Really excited for her, she's deadly with her 7mm-08 out to 300 yds and she's more crazy about hunting than most hunters I know. The goal is to head up every 3rd weekend from here to October to learn the unit. But I have a few questions that someone that hunts/hunted the unit may be able to kindly answer and point in a direction:

-I'll buy the passes soon but does Weyco close the roads during hunting season (specifically the times mentioned above) so we can actually hunt without running into rigs and 4-wheelers around every turn? Not that we would hunt the roads but there seems to be no country in there without a logging road in every quadrant.
-North middle or south Unit? Topo shows great country around Butler Butte and directly to the west and towards Georges Peak. The north facing slopes serving into the the Coweeman River by Washboard Falls looks good. BUT is there access to it? I know, I know its just a cow tag with a rifle but I wanted her to hunt hard in a decent place holding decent amounts of Elk. ANY help would be appreciated.

[Bullkllr]

I bow hunt Whitetails on the eastside on private land and backpack in the backcountry of Idaho for Elk, but this year my 15 year old daughter drew a youth antlerless Elk tag for Nov.23rd - 30th. Really excited for her, she's deadly with her 7mm-08 out to 300 yds and she's more crazy about hunting than most hunters I know. The goal is to head up every 3rd weekend from here to October to learn the unit. But I have a few questions that someone that hunts/hunted the unit may be able to kindly answer and point in a direction:

-I'll buy the passes soon but does Weyco close the roads during hunting season (specifically the times mentioned above) so we can actually hunt without running into rigs and 4-wheelers around every turn? Not that we would hunt the roads but there seems to be no country in there without a logging road in every quadrant.
-North middle or south Unit? Topo shows great country around Butler Butte and directly to the west and towards Georges Peak. The north facing slopes serving into the the Coweeman River by Washboard Falls looks good. BUT is there access to it? I know, I know its just a cow tag with a rifle but I wanted her to hunt hard in a decent place holding decent amounts of Elk. ANY help would be appreciated.

Well, I can start by saying that the roads will for sure be open during your daughter's hunt timeframe.

There's good country and elk all over the unit. Being a tree farm, much, as you will see, depends on the timber harvest cycle and whether you want to hunt clear cuts or timber as far as where you end up hunting. Some that may look great on a topo or couple year old aerial may simply be too grown-up to hunt.