collapse

Advertisement


Author Topic: How crowded will the state land be this year?  (Read 2419 times)

Offline huntingbaldguy

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Longhunter
  • *****
  • Join Date: Apr 2014
  • Posts: 532
  • Location: Kitsap
How crowded will the state land be this year?
« on: September 04, 2015, 12:27:51 AM »
Taking best guesses.  This is my first archery season, and the spot i scouted from early spring and found elk in is not looking like it's going to open.  So i'm going to have to turn to state land or forgo early elk season.  I'm talking southwest Washington.  My wife wants to give it a shot regardless and head to state land.  I am fine with this and we have scouted a few areas.  Not great sign but some sign.  I have this funny feeling that state land will be completely overrun though.  Maybe people will chase elk to us, maybe people will bust our hunts up.  Guaranteed there will be lots of bugling.  If you were in my position (and i'm sure a good amount of you are), would you head to state land knowing there's probably double the amount of people there typically is on opening weekend?  If we do it we will be in the deepest ugliest holes we can find, and i'm probably going to have to give up a blacktail day this weekend to go do some more scouting.

Opinions?

Offline 4fletch

  • Older than old
  • Political & Covid-19 Topics
  • Trade Count: (+3)
  • Sourdough
  • *****
  • Join Date: Jan 2014
  • Posts: 1421
  • Location: North bend wa
Re: How crowded will the state land be this year?
« Reply #1 on: September 04, 2015, 12:47:10 AM »
I hunt east but it's going to be crazy out this year  the more area you learn the better the chance you have find the ugly bull pen or poop hole where they had been using before would be a good place if your going to wait for some animals to get pushed I to or a trail leading into the P hole get in there soon after daybreak and wait would be a option. Good hunting good luck
« Last Edit: September 04, 2015, 12:59:40 AM by 4fletch »

Offline bobcat

  • Global Moderator
  • Trade Count: (+14)
  • Legend
  • *****
  • Join Date: Mar 2007
  • Posts: 39203
  • Location: Rochester
    • robert68
How crowded will the state land be this year?
« Reply #2 on: September 04, 2015, 07:46:05 AM »
I'm not sure it will be much worse than normal on state land. What is still closed on the west side? I know all of Weyerhaeuser's land is open. I have a Weyerhaeuser permit so that's all I've really been paying attention to. What about Port Blakely? Rayonier? Hancock? With all this rain I can't imagine why they'd still have their lands closed.

I'm thinking the deer seasons are likely to be more crowded. Lots of people go east for mule deer or whitetail and much of the best areas are burned, burning, or closed to access. So I could see a lot more people hunting blacktails this year who normally wouldn't.

But elk? The main elk hunting areas on the east side are open and weren't affected by fires. And besides, people who already bought an east side tag and applied for permits, cannot trade for a west side tag.

Offline stryker

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Hunter
  • ***
  • Join Date: Oct 2012
  • Posts: 184
  • Location: Woodinville
Re: How crowded will the state land be this year?
« Reply #3 on: September 04, 2015, 07:47:57 AM »
Hancock is open.

Offline huntingbaldguy

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Longhunter
  • *****
  • Join Date: Apr 2014
  • Posts: 532
  • Location: Kitsap
Re: How crowded will the state land be this year?
« Reply #4 on: September 04, 2015, 07:51:55 AM »
Sierra Pacific is closed. I've talked to them and they have no plans to open before the elk season.

Offline Boss .300 winmag

  • FLY NAVAL AVIATION
  • Washington For Wildlife
  • Trade Count: (+22)
  • Explorer
  • ******
  • Join Date: Oct 2010
  • Posts: 18874
  • Location: Skagit Valley
  • How do you measure trying, you do, or you don’t.
Re: How crowded will the state land be this year?
« Reply #5 on: September 04, 2015, 07:54:31 AM »
I think Bobcat is right about deer season, and it will be really true for the modern season. Lots of east side deer areas burnt, so there will be lots of displaced hunters looking for a new area to hunt Muleys, or stay home and hunt blacktails.
"Just because I like granola, and I have stretched my arms around a few trees, doesn't mean I'm a tree hugger!
Hi I'm 8156, our leader is Bearpaw.
YOU CANNOT REASON WITH A TIGER WHEN YOUR HEAD IS IN ITS MOUTH! Winston Churchill

Keep Calm And Duc/Ski Doo On!

Offline JimmyHoffa

  • Non-Hunting Topics
  • Trade Count: (+2)
  • Explorer
  • ******
  • Join Date: Sep 2010
  • Posts: 14547
  • Location: 150 Years Too Late
Re: How crowded will the state land be this year?
« Reply #6 on: September 04, 2015, 10:22:26 AM »
If you think state land will be too crowded, could look at different tree farms.  Here's a link for Rayonier, still have permits.
http://property.rayonierhunting.com/Permits/PermitsHome.aspx

 


* Advertisement

* Recent Topics

Son drawn - Silver Dollar Youth Any Elk - Help? by VickGar
[Today at 04:54:03 PM]


Nevada bull hunt 2025 by Karl Blanchard
[Today at 03:20:09 PM]


Accura MR-X 45 load development by Karl Blanchard
[Today at 01:32:20 PM]


I'm Going To Need Karl To Come up With That 290 Muley Sunscreen Bug Spray Combo by highside74
[Today at 01:27:51 PM]


Toutle Quality Bull - Rifle by lonedave
[Today at 12:58:20 PM]


49 Degrees North Early Bull Moose by washingtonmuley
[Today at 12:00:55 PM]


MA 6 EAST fishing report? by washingtonmuley
[Today at 11:56:01 AM]


Kings by Gentrys
[Today at 11:05:40 AM]


2025 Crab! by ghosthunter
[Today at 09:43:49 AM]


AUCTION: SE Idaho DIY Deer or Deer/Elk Hunt by Dan-o
[Today at 09:26:43 AM]


Survey in ? by hdshot
[Today at 09:20:27 AM]


Bear behavior by brew
[Today at 08:40:20 AM]


Bearpaw Outfitters Annual July 4th Hunt Sale by bearpaw
[Today at 07:57:12 AM]


A lonely Job... by Loup Loup
[Today at 07:47:41 AM]


2025 Montana alternate list by bear
[Today at 06:06:48 AM]

SimplePortal 2.3.7 © 2008-2025, SimplePortal