Gates

[Lefthook]

I did a search and couldn't really find any solid answers. I'm not asking for any answers that guys have spent years working their way up to figure out. Just general answers to a general question.

I've been out of WA for almost 15 years. Before I left the gates had come in strong and the entry fees had just begun. I'm not asking for any specific areas (I had a ton of them before I left and enjoyed pretty decent success), I was just curious if someone with a good background dealing with gates, entry fees, all the changes in the last 15 years could give me some pointers on navigating this monopoly timberlands have on what used to be considered public hunting grounds.

This is just a general question of the entire state. I would never try to get anyone to divulge any secret hunting areas or honey holes. I know how it works with special spots and no one would divulge that info to a stranger, let alone a post on the web anyway.

I did a little run hoping to scout some areas that were productive in the past. All I found were gates and signs of paid, limited access only.

My question is: how does a guy scout areas to find out if there is even a possibility of success? Do you just open your wallet and pay for every area you would like to check out?

I have plenty of questions, but as a first post this is probably expecting an awful lot. I would love to contribute here, but the info I posses on land use is obviously outdated. If I can get back up to speed in WA State like I previously was, I would love to share. Obviously I will share general areas and not exact specifics, but that's normal, or at least it used to be.

Thanks to all in advance. I could post some pics from the past, but after trying to hit the woods, the pics lose some relevance except for the fact that nocking down deer and elk never gets old.

Lefthook.

[Mudman]

When weyco was allowed to buy half of the state it was agreed to allow some public access in exchange for tax breaks.  Now its corporate collusion and greed.  A gps with parcel identity maps are great.  Also county assessor sites can help map ownership.  Visit timberlands homesites for info on permits.  WDFW go hunt helpful too.  Most everything by you is locked up now.  I grew up in Vail, its a shame really.  It is becoming a rich mans sport.

[Skyvalhunter]

As Mud said a lot of it is Weyerhaeuser go to their website and you will see the properties they offer up permits for. As far as weather an area is good for hunting or not is anyone's guess. for scouting you have to buy the permit to gain access to scout. I wouldn't say that the properties are diamonds in the ruff for good hunting either.

[bobcat]

The WDFW 2016 Hunting Prospects has a pretty good rundown of the pay to play areas and the public land that's available to hunt for free.

District 10:

http://wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/prospects/2016/district10.pdf


District 17:

http://wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/prospects/2016/district17.pdf

[Special T]

I've found that you need to do a bunch of Internet scouting before even hitting the woods to see if they are productive areas. Additionally trail cams are a big part of narrowing down the when and where.
I have heard some people are happy with thier permits provided  you are quick enough to get one before they sell out.
I'll echo the use of the wdfw go hunt and county assessors office are valuable tools.

[Mudman]

So what weapon are you hunting with?  Some areas may be open for you depending on tag?

[Westside88]

If I'm not mistaken, many of the Weyerhauser properties are open in the off season. You should have the ability to get out and look around and see if there's anything you're willing to buy a permit for

[bobcat]

To start you off, late muzzleloader deer season is open in 501, 654, and 667. Get some DNR Public Land maps and hunt any state land you can find in those units.

http://www.dnr.wa.gov/programs-and-services/buy-maps-aerial-photos-or-survey-data

[DOUBLELUNG]

Special T, never thought "Internet Scounting" for hunting would be a thing. I'm all for using whatever tactic gets you there, if the Net is the first stop, I'm there.

I probably sound old anyway, so here it is, I never put in for a permit because I was successful in the areas I hunted. I didn't hunt private land and trail cams were a rather new deal about the time I was leaving WA. (As far as people I knew actually purchasing one and implementing it, that didn't happen).

Not against any of the new gear and tactics, just stating the change. It used to be you just hit the woods and hunted. Part of the appeal was leaving everything behind. But I want to smell an Elk so bad, not in the field, but smell Elk scent permeate the bed of my truck. Maybe even a little blood slowly oozing under the tailgate.

I'm all for shifting gears and using whatever tech is available to score. That is hunting after all, finding the best gear, become the best you can with all the gear. If the Internet, researching open lands and fees and all the different pay fees and companies different regulations as well as trail cams is the way, I'm in.

Lefthook

Learn to use Google Earth!  Well worth the minimal time investment.

[bobcat]

You need a permit now year around in all of the Weyerhaeuser areas. None are available now as they all are sold out, other than there are a few walk in permits in the Aberdeen tree farm.

https://www.wyrecreationnw.com/PropertySearch.aspx

[Special T]

Special T, never thought "Internet Scounting" for hunting would be a thing. I'm all for using whatever tactic gets you there, if the Net is the first stop, I'm there.

I probably sound old anyway, so here it is, I never put in for a permit because I was successful in the areas I hunted. I didn't hunt private land and trail cams were a rather new deal about the time I was leaving WA. (As far as people I knew actually purchasing one and implementing it, that didn't happen).

Not against any of the new gear and tactics, just stating the change. It used to be you just hit the woods and hunted. Part of the appeal was leaving everything behind. But I want to smell an Elk so bad, not in the field, but smell Elk scent permeate the bed of my truck. Maybe even a little blood slowly oozing under the tailgate.

I'm all for shifting gears and using whatever tech is available to score. That is hunting after all, finding the best gear, become the best you can with all the gear. If the Internet, researching open lands and fees and all the different pay fees and companies different regulations as well as trail cams is the way, I'm in.

Lefthook

Learn to use Google Earth!  Well worth the minimal time investment.

Do the new versions of Google Earth have public land mapped out on them? It's been a while since I've used it.

The Skagit County assessors Web site is pretty good because you can overlay Arial topographic water and still look up parcel ownership.

[Lefthook]

Thanks for the input. Time to do some homework. I'll let you know if I find anything worthwhile.

Lefthook

[Curly]

If you're looking at hunting in Thurston Co, they have a pretty good GIS site to look up parcel ownership and you can turn on aerial photos too (actually most counties have good websites for parcel lookup these days).

http://www.geodata.org/website/cadastral/viewer.htm

[Mudman]

Elbe would probably be a good choice.  I think it switched with Puyallup unit between archery/Powder.  Busy but good unit.  Some good walk in and drive areas.  Public land too. 667 is crap anymore as its mostly weyco lands.

[Lefthook]

Here's an early season Willapa Hills muzzleloader bull. He's happy to be mounted on a wall in WA State again. First 3D art hung in the house!