Hunter density in weyco, Sierra Pacific, public

[simpleperson]

Hey there! I've archery hunted the colockum a few times for elk, haven't connected yet. I like hiking hard, and getting in deep, and have been discouraged by how all my scouting became invalidated on the first day of the season, since the hunter density was so high, and how hard it is to make some distance between other hunters.

I live on the west side, and am thinking about trying something closer to home. At present, my plan is to try the ryderwood/willapa hills units. I know these are popular units, but not nearly as popular as Naneum. Knowing that SPI is non-motorized, and weyco is expensive, which is more likely to help make some distance from others? I'm totally willing to bike 20 miles or pay the fee if it makes a difference on our chances and helps us learn.

Not asking for any spots, just hoping to understand the difference in hunter densities between public, weyco, and spi land come September, and where I'll see ROI for my boot leather scouting. Thanks!

[b0bbyg]

Hey there! I've archery hunted the colockum a few times for elk, haven't connected yet. I like hiking hard, and getting in deep, and have been discouraged by how all my scouting became invalidated on the first day of the season, since the hunter density was so high, and how hard it is to make some distance between other hunters.

I live on the west side, and am thinking about trying something closer to home. At present, my plan is to try the ryderwood/willapa hills units. I know these are popular units, but not nearly as popular as Naneum. Knowing that SPI is non-motorized, and weyco is expensive, which is more likely to help make some distance from others? I'm totally willing to bike 20 miles or pay the fee if it makes a difference on our chances and helps us learn.

Not asking for any spots, just hoping to understand the difference in hunter densities between public, weyco, and spi land come September, and where I'll see ROI for my boot leather scouting. Thanks!

  Never have hunted the coast in the early seasons for archery so cannot say how many folks are out there.  In the late archery season I found it easy to get away from people in the W. Hills area if you are willing to walk/bike a bit.  had the Weyco walk in before as well in late season usually not too many folks going in the same areas I did so again easy to find some separation.

[bobcat]

Weyerhaeuser land in that area you really can't get away from roads, they're everywhere and they're all driveable. However, with access permits being limited in number, the pressure isn't terrible. There are a couple gated areas you could walk into. It's a better option than state land IMO if you don't want company.

[Bullkllr]

Used to run into a lot of guys driving through Weyerhaueser to the border, then hiking or biking into other timber co. or state land. Kinda does away with the "deeper is better" principle for avoiding people in closed road areas when you're going in the other way. On the other hand it worked great for years when Weyerhaueser was always closed for driving in during early archery.

[simpleperson]

Used to run into a lot of guys driving through Weyerhaueser to the border, then hiking or biking into other timber co. or state land. Kinda does away with the "deeper is better" principle for avoiding people in closed road areas when you're going in the other way. On the other hand it worked great for years when Weyerhaueser was always closed for driving in during early archery.

Makes sense. My takeaway from that is to not assume that deeper is better, and that the weyerhouser permit is still probably the best way to avoid other hunters. Thanks!

[blackveltbowhunter]

If trying to create separation look at one of the Rayonier permits  IMO.

[TikkaT3-270Shortmag]

I've had 3 different permits and you will always see people.  Everyone just drives around, so if u get off the rd the opportunities are better. 

[Dwightinwashington]

WAS CLOSED FOR FIRE DANGER ACCORDING TO THERE PHONE NUMBER THE  LAST TWO YEARS DURING EARLY ARCHERY SEASON.(360-623-1299) I HAD THE SAME IDEA. RIFLE HUNTED THAT AREA 15 YEARS AGO AND MY BUDDY GOT A REALLY NICE BULL. IVE HAD THE WILLIPA/RYDERWOOD PERMIT COUPLE YEARS.  SEE MORE PEOPLE ON WEEKENDS FOR SURE DURING EARLY ARCHERY. 

[grundy53]

WAS CLOSED FOR FIRE DANGER ACCORDING TO THERE PHONE NUMBER THE  LAST TWO YEARS DURING EARLY ARCHERY SEASON.(360-623-1299) I HAD THE SAME IDEA. RIFLE HUNTED THAT AREA 15 YEARS AGO AND MY BUDDY GOT A REALLY NICE BULL. IVE HAD THE WILLIPA/RYDERWOOD PERMIT COUPLE YEARS.  SEE MORE PEOPLE ON WEEKENDS FOR SURE DURING EARLY ARCHERY.

Weyco doesn't shut their permit areas down for fire danger.

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[fishngamereaper]

If trying to create separation look at one of the Rayonier permits  IMO.

Man for the price of some of their access permits a guy could have a nice hunt out of state.

Imo plenty of places in NFS land to get away from people.  I don't think the Clock is a good representation of being able to go steep and deep.

[blackveltbowhunter]

I don't disagree with you. The OP asked specifically about these areas  I have worked in both areas and observed quite a bit less traffic during seasons than on weyco. Coupled with the fact its limited to permittee only I think its the better option for separation.

[fishngamereaper]

I don't disagree with you. The OP asked specifically about these areas  I have worked in both areas and observed quite a bit less traffic during seasons than on weyco. Coupled with the fact its limited to permittee only I think its the better option for separation.

Oh I totally agree...just super pricey..

[Jayfire83]

All of these areas have Elk and opportunity in them. Its absolutely not what it use to be which has increased the challenges and difficulty these days. Its just like I would tell anyone else searching for solitude and animals in the Western Washington Elk woods... Homework Homework Homework!!! That is the key!!  I spend countless hours scouting and surveying areas old and new to me just to give myself a better opportunity. The hard work usually does pay off, unfortunately you can't just drive out to the woods and hit it hard anymore with great expectations.