Yacolt Burn Forest south of Larch Prison. Good place?

[KDfishbiologist]

Hey all,

I was out doing some scouting this past weekend, trying to get to know the area. I drove around the south part of Yacolt Burn State Forest on L1000 just south of Larch prison and what looks like west of Larch Mountain Trail. Saw one deer and some evidence of deer. I saw some pull outs and gates that I might walk down to find some deer this fall. Very brushy, but maybe a good place to start for a newbie in WA?

My GMU map showed that most of it is state owned land and there were some discover pass signs, but being new to the area, I'm just wondering if anyone knows if it's safe to hunt there. There were no shooting signs posted all over which I'm assuming means no target shooting. Any advice is always appreciated. Thanks!

[kevinb]

That's pretty close to where I live. I have been out there a few times. Even saw a few elk one evening. But I am new to the area too so I'm not sure what hunting would be like.

[ELKBURGER]

There are deer and a few elk around there. If you have a gps with gmu boundaries and ownership info would be a big plus. The no shooting signs are for a safety buffer for a few homes in the area. A lot of the area is gmu 564, which is a firearm restricted area(Bow, muzzle loader, shotgun and revolver only) so if you have a rifle you need to move further east into gmu 568.
It certainly is an area close to Vancouver that sees quite a bit of road hunters but if you find a timbered creek bottom away from the roads, you could get into a nice buck.
I spent some time in there over 20 years ago when I lived in the couve and was starting out as a young hunter.
If you park and go for a hike, make sure valuables are out of site. It's close enough to town that some lowlifes troll for easy break ins.
Where ever you go, good luck to you guys and have a happy and safe hunt!

[KDfishbiologist]

There are deer and a few elk around there. If you have a gps with gmu boundaries and ownership info would be a big plus. The no shooting signs are for a safety buffer for a few homes in the area. A lot of the area is gmu 564, which is a firearm restricted area(Bow, muzzle loader, shotgun and revolver only) so if you have a rifle you need to move further east into gmu 568.
It certainly is an area close to Vancouver that sees quite a bit of road hunters but if you find a timbered creek bottom away from the roads, you could get into a nice buck.
I spent some time in there over 20 years ago when I lived in the couve and was starting out as a young hunter.
If you park and go for a hike, make sure valuables are out of site. It's close enough to town that some lowlifes troll for easy break ins.
Where ever you go, good luck to you guys and have a happy and safe hunt!

Thanks for the advice ELKBURGER! I did notice there was quite a bit of traffic back there -- especially guys with big trucks going a million miles an hour.

kevinb, I'm new to WA hunting, trying to get in better shape, and crossbow hunting for the first time this year. I figured I might be pretty clunky and loud as I figure things out, but if you ever want to venture out with someone, that's the area Ill be in in late October.

[kevinb]

There are deer and a few elk around there. If you have a gps with gmu boundaries and ownership info would be a big plus. The no shooting signs are for a safety buffer for a few homes in the area. A lot of the area is gmu 564, which is a firearm restricted area(Bow, muzzle loader, shotgun and revolver only) so if you have a rifle you need to move further east into gmu 568.
It certainly is an area close to Vancouver that sees quite a bit of road hunters but if you find a timbered creek bottom away from the roads, you could get into a nice buck.
I spent some time in there over 20 years ago when I lived in the couve and was starting out as a young hunter.
If you park and go for a hike, make sure valuables are out of site. It's close enough to town that some lowlifes troll for easy break ins.
Where ever you go, good luck to you guys and have a happy and safe hunt!

It's pretty close to the 564/568 boundary, but the way I see it most of that area is in 568. Am I looking at it wrong?

[ELKBURGER]

Yes the boundary is in that area. It has changed a time or 2 in the past 15-20 years. I suggest having a gps with the gmu/property info to be sure. I don't want anyone getting in trouble for trespassing or having the wrong weapon in the wrong area. 564 is any deer, 568 buck only.

[KDfishbiologist]

@kevinb, did you have any luck bagging a buck in the Burn? I saw about five does on the four days I went out, but mostly just a lot of trucks parked at every gate.

That's pretty close to where I live. I have been out there a few times. Even saw a few elk one evening. But I am new to the area too so I'm not sure what hunting would be like.