Green dot map question

[cb1989]

The wildlife areas (lt murray, wenas, etc) have areas shaded in gray that per the map legend are seasonal closures for elk feeding and open may 1st. I take that to mean all vehicle AND foot travel. No hiking in that area at all to keep shed hunters away from wintering animals.

Then there are parts of the units that are outside of that shading, that have gates on the green dot roads that are yellow on the map - indicating the gates remain locked until may 1st. I take that to mean the road is closed to vehicles, but since it is outside of the elk closure area, it is open to foot travel. So you could park (not blocking the gate obviously) and hike in up the road.

I've attached a screenshot of the wenas map to show what im talking about. I called the south central regional office and the lady I spoke with seemed very unsure of what I was talking about and couldn't give me a confident answer either way. Anybody know?

[Iveexcaped3]

Yes you can walk back in there. I was just out there 2 weeks ago. Signs say gates and campgrounds open the 15 of April but no campfires

[bfranklin81]

You can park at the gate for bbq flats and hike in. Depending on how heavy the runoff is from snow melt, you might have a hard time crossing to go up cleman mountain, but everything else is accessible. the area is managed by the DNR, so make sure you have a discover pass.

[Skyvalhunter]

I got a few sheds in there last visit. Was pretty picked over

[boneaddict]

Oh look, my yard.


True story.   There is an unscrupulous member on here that likes to drive around the locked gates too in his jeep.   Wave to him when you see him. 

[cb1989]

Thanks guys.

Oh look, my yard.


True story.   There is an unscrupulous member on here that likes to drive around the locked gates too in his jeep.   Wave to him when you see him.

If he makes a habit of driving around gates hopefully he carries at least 2 spares. Sometimes those closed roads can be awful sharp. Would hate for anyone to get stranded...

[boneaddict]

 

[Stein]

I was just going to say that you should expect that people are driving around the gates with Jeeps and quads and be pleasantly surprised if it isn't the case.

[kirkl]

A few years ago they use to open those gates night before turkey season which was nice but now they keep them shut till May 1st.

[cb1989]

I was just going to say that you should expect that people are driving around the gates with Jeeps and quads and be pleasantly surprised if it isn't the case.

Who should be called if you see people doing that? Sheriff or fish & wildlife?

I guess I should ask, who is more likely to respond.

[92xj]

God

[Iveexcaped3]

I was just going to say that you should expect that people are driving around the gates with Jeeps and quads and be pleasantly surprised if it isn't the case.

Who should be called if you see people doing that? Sheriff or fish & wildlife?

I guess I should ask, who is more likely to respond.

sheriff will tell you to call F&W. you call F&W they will tell you they don't have a unit in the area. It'll take a few hours, try calling the sheriff.......

[Stein]

I agree, the enforcement is next to nothing.  In some areas guys camp a the gates with quads on trailers and run the whole closed areas during hunting season - zero effort to even try to hide what they are doing.

It's a real bummer when you spend time scouting out a place, hit it on foot a couple times and then the night before the opener they roll in.  I was actually almost run over by one hiking in the dark about two miles past the closed gate.

[hunterofelk]

You could call the DNR, but there are only a few officers.  The DNR doesn't have any side by sides or guads to go in and pursue so it is hard to catch anyone unless they are at the spot the cheaters are exiting the area.  The fine is what $130? Not much.  Cheating is just another injustice the ethical person must endure.