Entiat Hunts - GMU 244 and 246 (Closure)

[muleracks]

   Open the damn gate:
The Entiat Ranger District gate is still closed and could stay that way for 3 to 5 years according to news reports and District Ranger Flanagan.  The closure blocks access to the Entiat portion of the Glacier Peak Wilderness (GMU 244) a popular High Hunt and bear hunting location.  In addition to providing no access to the High Hunt the closure also affects those who were planning to hunt the Entiat side of the Slide Ridge unit (246).
Phone the Ranger District for detail (509) 784-4700 and sign the Access Entiat Petition:
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/access-entiat

The road is not damaged and the trail did not burn.  Warning of possible debris flows or flash floods is all they need to do to remove any responsibility.

[elkinrutdrivemenuts]

This closure is affecting a lot of different groups.  In a Woods riding page I am a member of they are pushing the same petition to open up some awesome single track trails that have been closed.  And the general consensus is that the closure is unnecessary.  Is the Ranger on a power trip or something?

[UBA]

would surprise me if she even could name three trails or creeks up there

[Transka]

I have been hearing a lot of bad things about her wanting to close trails and roads. when asked if she was having a trail clearing crew go up some of the trails she acted like WHY?

[NOCK NOCK]

As of Saturday, the 5901 road has had the gate removed....and a massive Kelly hump constructed, does not appear this one will ever be opened again. My guess is 5902 will be next.
Maybe if the OWNF wasn't spending time and money on schmoozing the mountain bikers, they could actually manage the forest for ALL users.

[UBA]

That's BS  that was a good road. One at a time til we don't have any left

[muleracks]

Nock Nock mentioned Upper Entiat Valley Road being destroyed.  Culverts are being riipped out of 5901 and 5902 and who knows where else.  They will not let anyone in to see.  I did photograph some of the 4 foot culvers (6 feet when smashed) and truck loads of culverts have been hauled down valley.  GMU 246 hunters are going to be pissed.

[bobcat]

Are they allowing access by hiking or horses?

[NOCK NOCK]

Are they allowing access by hiking or horses?

No access of any type in the closure area.   

I would bet that come deer hunting season, there will be at least one FS employee who will hunt in the closed area.  Like last year, the FS gated and closed roads in the Mills Canyon area right before late archery. The interesting thing is that it snowed small amounts several times and every time you passed one of these "closed" roads there were multiple sets of tire tracks behind the gates......hhhmmmmm

I have ZERO trust or respect for the FS, especially the OWNF.

[Skyvalhunter]

The only way this is going to change if you guys voice your concern!! Otherwise this is just another step in many more to come.
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/access-entiat

[bobcat]

Hmm...  I only planned on hunting the west side for blacktails this year, but if they're going to tell me I can't hunt there, I think I might!

Seriously, how is this even possible? It's National Forest- public land! According to the WDFW, it's open for hunting. The Forest Service closing it to ALL access is just unbelievable!

I really am tempted to hunt there this year, along with as many other people as I can drag over there with me.

[grundy53]

Hmm...  I only planned on hunting the west side for blacktails this year, but if they're going to tell me I can't hunt there, I think I might!

Seriously, how is this even possible? It's National Forest- public land! According to the WDFW, it's open for hunting. The Forest Service closing it to ALL access is just unbelievable!

I really am tempted to hunt there this year, along with as many other people as I can drag over there with me.

I'm in!

[UBA]

I'm in but need someone to pay that fine they threaten u with. 

[aorams]

Just out of curiosity... How much is said fine?

[AlpineMuley]

Nothing if you go in at night and stay away from the authorities.

[MtnMuley]

More power to those who do! This is about as bullchit  as it gets.

[huntnphool]

I'm in but need someone to pay that fine they threaten u with. 

 Fine? They slapped the hand of the idiot in the jeep for doing something far worse than walking into a closed area, go for it!

[PlateauNDN]

I'm in oh wait......nevermind

[UBA]

I'm in but need someone to pay that fine they threaten u with. 

 Fine? They slapped the hand of the idiot in the jeep for doing something far worse than walking into a closed area, go for it!

So your saying I need to get a new jeep and just smash thru the gate?   

[muleracks]

Closure order 917 says the fine for an individual is up to $5000 and $10,000 for an organization and up to 6 months in prison.  (link)
http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprd3814358.pdf

I bet someone at the Entiat Ranger District knows about trail cams.  and how to run auto license tabs.   The gate is 12 miles from the Wilderness Boundary.  Wilderness is open but there is almost no way to get there.  Even the trail out of Lucerne (Lake Chelan) is closed because of the Wolverine fire.

[westsidehntr]

Let's all go in and divvy up the 10 grand fine. Someone volunteer to serve the prison time.

[crabcreekhunter]

Leave the gate closed or open it the heck up, but atleast give us access... It's our property, I don't need someone protecting me!!  These last few years have been bs, low intensity fire on Duncan not a big deal, lady needs to figure it out, and I suppose that after five years Muleracks not a chance in h2:: that the FS will clear any trails! That closure is hurting the valley.

[muleracks]

Free health care and meals for 6 months; what a deal.

A Chelan County Commissioner wrote "The recent closures in the Entiat have gone beyond historical actions."  On required collaboration with the local goverment; "We do not feel that an after action open house meets the criteria of Collaboration."  (message to Forest Deputy Supervisor Kuiken).
Local residents, fishers, campers, hikers and hunters are not the only ones upset about Range Flanagan's handling of the burn.

[jeffitz]

Unfreakingbelievable,whose pocket is this crack in?

[muleracks]

The Access Entiat committee and Entiat Watershed Planning Unit plans to let the Wolverine fire settle down before pushing for the Duncan burn to be reopened.  The entire burn including the Entiat North Fork and the burn itself.  This deer season, it is likely that everything from Shady Pass (FS 5900) from Entiat to 25 mile Creek, will be closed at least through October.  Hopefully things will open up for the November permit holders in GMU 246 (Slide Ridge) and for the goat permit holder.