Wenaha E/W keep or not?

[coldsteel3d]

As most of you might know I have a Wenaha West archery bull tag and have the opportunity to turn my permit in and get my points reimbursed or keep my permit and gamble on if they open the wilderness or not. If I knew that I would have even 5-7 days in the unit I would keep it no question about it. As of right now I know that they have no intention on it being open in September but rain can change that. I had 8 points when I drew this year, a couple less and I would keep it no problem, a couple more and I would turn it in no doubt. But being kind of right in the middle I am torn. What would you guys do?

[buglebuster]

I'd keep it 

[Mxracer532]

Im in the same boat only East Wenaha, same points as you. If I had the West, I would be far more willing to keep my permit and hold out with the West permit. Its not burned nearly as much and the odds they open that section is far better imo then the East.

[coldsteel3d]

Yeah I feel bad for you East tag holders cause the fire really hit it hard. 

[gaddy]

Have you looked at the access ? Can you even get into the area, and when do you expect the area to open up ? From what i see on the maps, that is what i would be concerned about. Not all of it is burned, but can you get to it?

[fishngamereaper]

Keep it. If it opens all you need is a day or two. Turn it in and who knows, it may be 5-10 years...

[splitshot]

  when is the deadline?  have you scouted it yet?    mike w

[High Climber]

I would turn it in and live to fight another day

[growler]

I would turn it in, I am hoping for that option on my Dayton tag at this point. Access is terrible

[coldsteel3d]

I would turn it in, I am hoping for that option on my Dayton tag at this point. Access is terrible

I'll trade you one West Wenaha tag for one Dayton tag then you can return the West Wenaha tag! I have talked with Paul and the NF will more than likely be open in the Dayton for your hunt. From what I got talking to him all the roads and NF should be open and just the wilderness will remain closed.  Even as it is right now I know where I could go in the Dayton and kill a bull with everything that is currently closed but I still think that it will all open up soon.

[coldsteel3d]

Have you looked at the access ? Can you even get into the area, and when do you expect the area to open up ? From what i see on the maps, that is what i would be concerned about. Not all of it is burned, but can you get to it?

Right now my unit which is entirely wilderness is closed and will remain closed until they recieve enough rain to open it.

  when is the deadline?  have you scouted it yet?    mike w

We have until the 4th to have our permits postmarked and in the mail back to wdfw which brings up another issue for me as I never recieved my permit in the mail and had to get a new license printed with my permit on it.

[fishngamereaper]

Honestly IMO you should not have to make the choice. WDFW should be stepping up and giving you the chance to see if your area opens. This goes for all permit tags. They are giving a permit on the bases that there is and associated area to hunt. If the area your permit is in gets closed for access and remains that way through the entire season WDFW should take your tag and give you your points back. Seems simple to me. The permit systems is selling the ability to hunt a specific area, if no area to hunt then permit is null and void.

[andrew_in_idaho]

I voted for keeping your permits, and I say go whether they "reopen" it or not. Those are our public lands they are trying to lock us the public out of. Go out there, be responsible, don't smoke and don't build a campfire. I'm really fed up with hearing about public lands being closed to foot traffic due to fire danger. Ive spent a good amount of time walking out in the woods and as of yet my feet have never started a fire

[BLUEBULLS]

I voted for keeping your permits, and I say go whether they "reopen" it or not. Those are our public lands they are trying to lock us the public out of. Go out there, be responsible, don't smoke and don't build a campfire. I'm really fed up with hearing about public lands being closed to foot traffic due to fire danger. Ive spent a good amount of time walking out in the woods and as of yet my feet have never started a fire

It's not closed to keep people from starting fires. It's closed to protect people from existing fires and to keep it safe for firefighters and equipment. I'm with you on the fact that it's our land but I'm not about to get in the way of firefighting efforts. There's basically one road bordering the unit and its being used heavily.

[coldsteel3d]

Honestly IMO you should not have to make the choice. WDFW should be stepping up and giving you the chance to see if your area opens. This goes for all permit tags. They are giving a permit on the bases that there is and associated area to hunt. If the area your permit is in gets closed for access and remains that way through the entire season WDFW should take your tag and give you your points back. Seems simple to me. The permit systems is selling the ability to hunt a specific area, if no area to hunt then permit is null and void.

I agree 100%. This making us choose before the hunt starts is B.S.....

I voted for keeping your permits, and I say go whether they "reopen" it or not. Those are our public lands they are trying to lock us the public out of. Go out there, be responsible, don't smoke and don't build a campfire. I'm really fed up with hearing about public lands being closed to foot traffic due to fire danger. Ive spent a good amount of time walking out in the woods and as of yet my feet have never started a fire

It's not closed to keep people from starting fires. It's closed to protect people from existing fires and to keep it safe for firefighters and equipment. I'm with you on the fact that it's our land but I'm not about to get in the way of firefighting efforts. There's basically one road bordering the unit and its being used heavily.

This isn't what I was told by the bio, he said the exact opposite in fact. He said that the Wenaha West is not closed because of danger of the current fires but it is closed because the extremely dry conditions and the possibility of the hunters starting new fires.