Did I get screwed on this Kapowsin Hancock permit?

[netcoyote]

Having been burned out of most of my favorite east side deer hunting locations, I decided to try something different and applied for a local solution and got a Hancock Kapowsin permit this year. I choked a bit at the price but figured I'd spend a lot more time in there instead of the extended scouting trips over to the east side.
The laugh was on me. No sooner than about a month after I secured the permit, Hancock shut down public access and still haven't opened it. Sure, I knew this was a risk, but....is this an unusual year or do they do this most every year and people just show up once the rains eventually start (hopefully) by hunting season?
Probably not going to risk this again another year. Screw me once.....

[JBar]

Pretty normal Net! It'll take some rain but usually get screwed through the first part of September. They close it during the elk season anyways. I'd bet it'll be open by the 18th or whenever early archery ends.

[Johnnysabieh]

Screw me once...shame on me...screw me twice however...

Anyway, you should be fine as JBar said since it's closed during elk season.

[Thehowler]

Yep, you've been had. 

[Duckslayer89]

I've been had as well. Sucks

[iRem]

This is my first time and knowing the risk was there. It's usually warm and at times it gets very hot this time of year. I'm hoping to get in this Friday if we get enough rain (probably not, wishful thinking). Last week of September and late season is what I'm banking on, should be good by than.

[fishnfur]

I suggest that next time you might want to consider archery hunting the westside during the modern firearm season.  Bucks are up and moving, and the commercial timberlands are open and wet.  Downside: way more hunters in the woods (or on the roads in most cases).

[Elkslayer89]

Yup closed every year for early won't see me buying that permit

[trophyhunt]

I feel bad for the guys that drew the archery elk permit and probably don't get to hunt one of the best tags in the state. 

[fishnfur]

Got dealt lemons?  Must be time to make lemonade!

[Milkman]

I'm with ya...  bought a Hancock Enamclaw permit right when they went up for sale. Didn't read too much into it as a few buddies at work always buy it. I later find out u can't hunt elk in there....   Then find out there's only certain places I can camp.... uhhhh ok.  Annnnnd now this fire. Next year I'm out.  Waste of $
 

[Elkcollector82]

Gonna be crowded on state and national forest land 

[Angry Perch]

I have the Snoqualmie (Campbell) permit. It's a bummer that it's closed, but I look at the bright side, and figure nobody else is in there either. I also have a multi-season, which helps ease the pain. But it really sucks for bear, as by the time it's open, the berries are likely to be gone, and that's the only place I know where to find them!

[justyhntr]

I feel bad for the guys that drew the archery elk permit and probably don't get to hunt one of the best tags in the state.

In the past they have let the elk tag draws in even when it was closed to recreation for fire danger . Will be interesting to see what happens this year . 

Back to the OP , yes , this happens every year , last year they reopened on Sept. 1 and the year before was Aug. 29 , a few years ago they closed it for a week mid Sept. It sucks but for us it's still worth it . Reasonably close to home and lots of predators to chase in the winter and my rig has never been broke into . I have friends that cannot say the same for state land . 

[jnordwell]

Pretty normal Net! It'll take some rain but usually get screwed through the first part of September. They close it during the elk season anyways. I'd bet it'll be open by the 18th or whenever early archery ends.

My father in law says they are a bunch of anti bow hunting dumb asses

[JBar]

I was referring to early archery elk. They did indeed open it after the archery elk season. IMO and not arguing with your FIL but if they were anti bowhunting they would have made antlerless deer off limits as they did with the rifle and muzzy permits. This year will most likely the last year I purchase the permit. They need to hand out an appropriate amount of elk tags, a measly two on the Eatonville side is a joke. Deer numbers and quality are way down from a few years ago, not sure why. Granted I can find the deer and have done well  but it is teetering on low value for high price.