Weyerhaeuser access

[Jharstad7182]

If u had to choose one to buy for deer hunting would u buy pe ell south, pe ell north, Longview,  or vail. I have a Hancock Kapowsin access now, but only buy it for a slim chance at getting permission to hunt elk. but the deer numbers are not there. so I’m lookin for new gated access and after some research these areas tickle my fancy but still not sure at which ones to try to purchase any thoughts would be much appreciated

[Skyvalhunter]

Don't let them tickle your fancy too much because you will only be disappointed. Ever think of hunting out of state?

[Jharstad7182]

Yup go to Idaho every year for white tail but my 12 year old has to stay home cause of school trying to get him on a deer here in Washington

[fishnfur]

Tough question.  Glad I don't do that.  I'd read up on past posts for each unit and evaluate harvest numbers, then attempt to make an informed decision.  It's a tough time of year to get good feedback here, as many of the members are off in pursuit of other activities, so the responses you get now will likely not be the same as if you posed the question in Oct.

From what I've read here, I think Vail is far and away the top choice.  Skookumchuck is at the top BT harvest numbers, and I'd guess that most of that success occurs in the Weyco Vail unit.  It seemed like everyone was complaining about the poor hunting there last season, but it was a tough year everywhere.  That is probably where I would choose, just based on the numbers.  Living in Longview, I hear about a lot of success in the St. Helens Tree farm and DNR areas every year, but I know nothing specific about the Weyco units.  That's just where the locals go.

I've come to the conclusion (perhaps incorrectly) that if a unit is considered a great elk unit, then it will be tough finding deer there.  Finding a place to hunt close to home makes more sense to me.  Then I can get out for a three-hour morning/evening assault if that's all the time I can manage.

[chester]

Pe ell north or Vail. Vail might be a shorter commute and a better choice.

[W_Ellison2011]

The deer were in the Kapowsin area. Just have to get out of the truck and push through some of the thicker stuff to find older growth and hunt the trails. The deer were still being sighted from the road but with all of the 1200 permit holders up there during early archery scouting for modern or ml it made it difficult unless you got on an old skidder and walked a couple miles. I'm going for Vail this year. Yes I would love a shot at a bull elk in the Kapowsin area but its just not worth it with that many people up there running around scaring everything. Fewer permits for Vail. If I don't get a Vail permit then the Kapowsin permits will be left over just like last year. I don't like paying to hunt land.. but there is too much pressure up in my normal hunting woods anymore. If I was you. Go for Vail or Pe Ell North like the others have said and if you don't get a permit then grab Kapowsin and hoof it back into areas that others aren't. Sorry if I rambled but figured I would give out some extra info for you.

[Jharstad7182]

Thanks for all the advice.

[PWill33]

I would not waste $350.00 on Pe Ell permits (north or south) for deer unless you have A LOT of time.

[Jharstad7182]

Really? By what I see from game harvest reports a decent amount of bucks are shot in there every year. That’s y I’m courious about thanks for heads up thou

[Harbor_hunter]

I would also vouch for not buying the Pe Ell south if you are looking for good deer hunting.

[N7XW]

Don't want to derail this, but any input on Aberdeen permit area deer numbers?

[chester]

Really? By what I see from game harvest reports a decent amount of bucks are shot in there every year. That’s y I’m courious about thanks for heads up thou

Most of those harvests are locals who are in there every single day of season looking for a meat buck. And a good chunk of those deer aren’t on the weyco ground.

[Jharstad7182]

 

[grundy53]

I would also vouch for not buying the Pe Ell south if you are looking for good deer hunting.

Same here

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[ruttnbuck]

I would not waste $350.00 on Pe Ell permits (north or south) for deer unless you have A LOT of time.

I totally agree , I had the permit last year and seemed like I was driving all day long looking  at same thick reprod mess and not reprod where you cansee the ground.... this stuff was thicker then snot . Seemed like everytime I found a patch of timber to hunt everyone else had same idea.  If a guy could camp up there for a week it might be worth it during late buck.