653 white river question

[Recon]

Im looking at getting into hunting this year and in my map scouting Im interested in GMU 653. I see on onX that Muckleshoot federal owns a large portion of this unit. I can't seem to find and regulations on them. As to whether or not it is open to hunting or if it is tribal member only. Does anyone know where I can find this info out. The other area I was looking at was 460 snoqualmie. Im really just looking to put meat in the freezer. I went out a few times years ago in the skookumchuck area but now that weyerhaeuser is pay to play I don't know if I want to drop that kind of dough. Any info on the tribal question would be appreciated.

[trophyhunt]

As of right now you can hunt that area owned by the mucks, you just need to buy a hancock yearly pass that goes on sale here shortly.  It's around 275.00 I think.  the 653 is draw only for elk hunting, deer is over that counter but the deer hunting in that unit just isn't that good.  There is national forest land in the unit that you don't need the hancock pass for, but it's still draw only for elk. 

[trophyhunt]

permits are 225.00 and only 500 are sold.

[Recon]

Damn I mixed up the gmu’s bouncing back between maps and regulations.  I looked at 654 regulations and 653 on the map. Thanks for catching that. I guess I’ll concentrate on 460 or 466. Thanks for the info.

[highside74]

If you want to hunt bears 653 is a good option. The lack of deer would make it a waste of time and elk hunting is a draw. Too many other better hunting units to look at to spend much time in 653. But you are right it looks like good country. It is fools gold.

[trophyhunt]

If you want to hunt bears 653 is a good option. The lack of deer would make it a waste of time and elk hunting is a draw. Too many other better hunting units to look at to spend much time in 653. But you are right it looks like good country. It is fools gold.

[Milkman]

Bought a Hancock pass last year. Way too many road hunters in there. It's insane. Don't think I'll be buying another.

[Recon]

If you want to hunt bears 653 is a good option. The lack of deer would make it a waste of time and elk hunting is a draw. Too many other better hunting units to look at to spend much time in 653. But you are right it looks like good country. It is fools gold.

I do really want to get into bears eventually but I know nothing about hunting them. I’m used to deer hunting in North Dakota-eastern Montana area so I imagine it will be a long learning curve for me. The most important thing for me is putting meat in the freezer. I wish there were more cow tag opportunities.

[W_Ellison2011]

As many have said... its draw only for elk and the deer are few and far between. I've spent a lot of time up there hunting bears. A friend showed me a few spots where he has killed bears up there and I have seen bears in the unit just haven't been able to get in range quick enough. The hancock permits are not worth it IMO. I bought the kapowsin permit last year for $375 and at first it seemed like a dream come true with deer everywhere... once you get ALL of the permit holders up there either scouting or hunting bears during the seasons the deer disappear. It took a lot of work, effort, and luck to get a deer up there. Back to white river unit. In all the time I have spent up there in the past 5 years I have only come across a few blacktails. I have seen quite a few of their tracks but have only seen maybe a dozen or so deer so its almost not worth it for deer. I will be back up there this coming August for sure looking for a bear again with friends. Good luck to you.

[Green broke]

 It's a good elk unit!

[W_Ellison2011]

It's a good elk unit!

Negative... there are very few elk... shhhhhhhhhhh you were imagining things! I need fewer people putting in for my tags not more!

[cem3434]

Not as good of an elk unit as it used to be. The Mucks are still putting the hurting on the bulls in there. The bull to cow ratio must me about 5:100 with very few mature bulls especially within a 1/2 mile of any road. There are a ton of cows and I don't understand why they don't offer cow tags.

[W_Ellison2011]

Not as good of an elk unit as it used to be. The Mucks are still putting the hurting on the bulls in there. The bull to cow ratio must me about 5:100 with very few mature bulls especially within a 1/2 mile of any road. There are a ton of cows and I don't understand why they don't offer cow tags.

I agree 100%. Its a unit that I have spent a good amount of time in looking for bears and I'm not talking within 1/2 mile of the road. I'm talking 6-7 mile hike in. Speaking of which I need to set cams up in there again this summer lol! Thanks for reminding me!

[Skyvalhunter]

Excellent unit for elk!! They are all over

[zwickeyman]

Need to remember a lot of White River burned last year. Most of the area I have been hunting for 45 years burned, I'll be up in a couple months checking out the burn and what roads are still accessable