Drew North Skagit - now I get a letter about access?!?!?!!!!!!

[engelwood]

So I drew North Skagit Spring bear permit and I just received a letter in the mail saying that if I'm not at a meeting on April 9th I won't be able to get access to any of the private timberlands, get keys to the gates, etc. this totally pisses me off as I will be out of town on a family vacation (flights booked etc) and won't be able to get to the meeting. Does anyone know anything more about this? I'm going to be making some calls on Monday morning about this, but to waste all my points for a hunt I can't get on the private timberlands would totally piss me off when there is nothing about this meeting in the regs prior to applying. Complete disappointment. You should be better than this F&G.

[Eli346]

Sorry to say that most of the special apps have * in them about access permits and what not below them. It's hard to understand at times but they're there. What really sucks is that it seems they require you to be at a meeting on a certain day in order to get that permit. I hope you get the answer you want. I think if you explain your case there should be a way around it. Good luck and keep us posted!

[billythekidrock]

So I drew North Skagit Spring bear permit and I just received a letter in the mail saying that if I'm not at a meeting on April 9th I won't be able to get access to any of the private timberlands, get keys to the gates, etc. this totally pisses me off as I will be out of town on a family vacation (flights booked etc) and won't be able to get to the meeting. Does anyone know anything more about this? I'm going to be making some calls on Monday morning about this, but to waste all my points for a hunt I can't get on the private timberlands would totally piss me off when there is nothing about this meeting in the regs prior to applying. Complete disappointment. You should be better than this F&G.

This is not a WDFW issue. WDFW work with the timber company to provide you hunting opportunity. The access rules are up to the land owner. It sucks, but all the deer and elk permits have been like this since the beginning up there.

[TheSkyBuster]

You will still be able to walk in to hunt.   The timber companies have rules and regulations for drivers of vehicles they allow behind there gates.   I'm sorry that you expected to receive a key in the mail (no strings attached) but this is the way it is.  Be glad that Sierra pacific industries doesn't charge an access fee like many of the other timber companies in Washington.   Keep in mind that there are many of us like myself (with 7 points) who would be more than happy to get this tag and make time to attend the meeting.

[BOWHUNTER45]

I would call them ..I am sure they would have a solution .. They only average about 5 bear off these permits .. good luck !

[Sneeky66]

Call and they'll set something up for you to get access. I know a few people that couldn't make the meeting and still got the combo when they had the tag.

[dune]

I drew Monroe last year and people didn't make the meeting. The gate combo should be available toyou any way good luck.

[TheSkyBuster]

North Skagit utilizes a key, not a Gate combo

[Jerome]

North Skagit utilizes a key, not a Gate combo

The past two seasons it's been a combo.

[tgomez]

Good old hiking boots and pack frame for you. It is what it is now, make the most out of your tag and good luck.

[TheSkyBuster]

North Skagit utilizes a key, not a Gate combo

The past two seasons it's been a combo.

I must be mistaken, my apologies. 

[engelwood]

You will still be able to walk in to hunt.   The timber companies have rules and regulations for drivers of vehicles they allow behind there gates.   I'm sorry that you expected to receive a key in the mail (no strings attached) but this is the way it is.  Be glad that Sierra pacific industries doesn't charge an access fee like many of the other timber companies in Washington.   Keep in mind that there are many of us like myself (with 7 points) who would be more than happy to get this tag and make time to attend the meeting.

This isn't about "making time" to make the meeting. I would make the meeting if I didn't have flights booked for that day out of town for a family vacation. I play by the rules and am more than willing to do what is necessary to be allowed on private timber company property. I'm in the sawmill business and know the issues that companies like Sierra Pacific have with access and the public. My issue is that there is simply 1 single day, at one single time that the discussion can be had about the access. I will be making some phone calls today to try to get some more info to see if I can work something out. Please don't make an assumption that the tag is not worth my time or that I don't play by the rules. I've just never heard of an in person meeting, at a certain day and time that someone must make it to in order to get access to a large part of the huntable area in the unit.  Thanks

[pianoman9701]

Call them with your situation. I bet you can get this figured out on the phone today.

[X-Force]

You will still be able to walk in to hunt.   The timber companies have rules and regulations for drivers of vehicles they allow behind there gates.   I'm sorry that you expected to receive a key in the mail (no strings attached) but this is the way it is.  Be glad that Sierra pacific industries doesn't charge an access fee like many of the other timber companies in Washington.   Keep in mind that there are many of us like myself (with 7 points) who would be more than happy to get this tag and make time to attend the meeting.

This isn't about "making time" to make the meeting. I would make the meeting if I didn't have flights booked for that day out of town for a family vacation. I play by the rules and am more than willing to do what is necessary to be allowed on private timber company property. I'm in the sawmill business and know the issues that companies like Sierra Pacific have with access and the public. My issue is that there is simply 1 single day, at one single time that the discussion can be had about the access. I will be making some phone calls today to try to get some more info to see if I can work something out. Please don't make an assumption that the tag is not worth my time or that I don't play by the rules. I've just never heard of an in person meeting, at a certain day and time that someone must make it to in order to get access to a large part of the huntable area in the unit.  Thanks

Access meetings have been held by WDFW for Monroe and skagit for the last 3 years at least. And almost any thread about either hunt discusses those meetings. If you don't want to be bothered with inconveniences don't apply to units that are mostly private.

If you call WDFW laconner they can setup a time to pickup the key and packet. Packet will have a unit map, open private lands, closed private lands etc.

[pianoman9701]

Why would someone without a tag have attended access meeting the last 3 years? I don't understand why this guy is getting flack. A couple of you seem a little self-righteous for no good reason. Either help out a fellow hunter who has a question or move to another thread.

[saylean]

I would call them ..I am sure they would have a solution .. They only average about 5 bear off these permits .. good luck !

I'm willing to bet if you call and explain they can work something out. In 2009, I had a similar thing going on, and was able to get my combo/key at a different time.

[bearmanric]

There was some talk this weekend about the azzholes here on face book.. That's why I don't post any more. l ways a jerk. When I meet people at buying my calls. I cant count how many wont post here. Been thinking of leaving my self. Rick

[h20hunter]

Seems like a bit of excess drama.  Call them up, make arrangements,  enjoy your hunt.

[Rainier10]

Like others have said, I am pretty sure a phone call will clear this up.  I am sure there is a solution for your situation.  They just want to catch the majority of permit holders with one meeting rather than having to go over the information with each permit holder individually.

Good luck and let us know how the call goes.

[X-Force]

Why would someone without a tag have attended access meeting the last 3 years? I don't understand why this guy is getting flack. A couple of you seem a little self-righteous for no good reason. Either help out a fellow hunter who has a question or move to another thread.

Big Game Regs Spring Black Bear Special Permit Pg. 70 Access: "Hunters Interested in hunting western Washington damage hunts should contact the appropriate tree farms before submitting an application to find out what areas are open"

Theoretically, if someone is putting in for a permit they have done at least a little research on the permit beyond the grip and grin photos on here. Using the search bar on H-W within seconds using key words someone can find out exactly what the permit access issues are and what you have to do to get access.

I think why the original post caught flack is because his first reaction was to come and complain about his issue. Reading previous threads and dealing with his same issue in the past its an easy call and setup a time to meet. Instead, coming on and blaming everything on WDFW, private land owner etc. is lame.

[Rainier10]

Why would someone without a tag have attended access meeting the last 3 years? I don't understand why this guy is getting flack. A couple of you seem a little self-righteous for no good reason. Either help out a fellow hunter who has a question or move to another thread.

Big Game Regs Spring Black Bear Special Permit Pg. 70 Access: "Hunters Interested in hunting western Washington damage hunts should contact the appropriate tree farms before submitting an application to find out what areas are open"

Theoretically, if someone is putting in for a permit they have done at least a little research on the permit beyond the grip and grin photos on here. Using the search bar on H-W within seconds using key words someone can find out exactly what the permit access issues are and what you have to do to get access.

I think why the original post caught flack is because his first reaction was to come and complain about his issue. Reading previous threads and dealing with his same issue in the past its an easy call and setup a time to meet. Instead, coming on and blaming everything on WDFW, private land owner etc. is lame.

My guess is he was excited to get drawn, then got the letter on the weekend and rather than just make a call his only outlet was to come on here and vent his frustration.  I think he should have made the call before going on the rant.  My guess is after he makes the call this will be a no issue and he will say how helpful the private land owner is for accommodating this one individuals vacation plans and still allowing him access to thousands of acres of their land.

[engelwood]

Got it figured out. Thanks for the guys who helped and PM'd me. Also thanks to all the flack guys, really helped me out. Ha. For the record I know people who have had this tag in the past and never had to go to any meetings, etc. for you local folk who think everyone should know what's going on with meetings each year when it changes from time to time and it's a tag that there are only 30 tags for, think a little harder about that before passing judgement.

Again, all went good with call and in going to be okay. Good luck to all the people who are chasing bears this spring.

[Rainier10]

That is great, glad it worked out.

Nice of them to accommodate your schedule to get you the info and access.

Good luck out there this year and enjoy your upcoming vacation.

[pianoman9701]

  Go get a biggun!

[bearmanric]

Awsome good luck. I have met a ton of people the last couple years at my seminars at Cabelas. People are afraid to post here because of they don't want to ask the wrong question. Its sad. Good luck on your hunt.  I will be on the coast calling bears. Rick

[pianoman9701]

A lot of good happens on here, too Rick. Don't forget!  Afterall, if it wasn't for HuntWA, you'd never have met me! 

[bearmanric]

LOL true. Rick