Ryderwood 530- its been awhile

[Airohunter]

Just moved back to Washington after being gone for the last 14 years. Used to chase elk in that country but it's been awhile. I've only got a couple years left to drag Grandpa around and since I struck out on the Weyco permits I think this about our best chance. My method of hunting with Grandpa entails alot of driving and some walking, based on what I think I know this could be an option for us. So is most of the unit have open gates and roads we can drive and glass? some closed roads to walk? Where could you pitch a wall tent? Prefer private messages, don't need to flood the interweb with classified information
Thanks in advance!
Tim

[Smokeploe]

No permit no go.

[Milkman]

No permit no go.

[bobcat]

There's some DNR land you can hunt. Not a lot of driving around though. Could be a pretty tough unit to hunt without an access permit, unless you really spend a ton of time scouting.

[Airohunter]

Looking at maps, a large portion of the unit isn't Weyco, is it permitted by the other timber company then?

[bobcat]

There's some Sierra Pacific which I believe is open to hunting but it's all gated. I don't know the entire unit so perhaps there's other landownership that I'm not familiar with. But if you're wanting roads to drive with options for short walks, you might want to look into hunting on National Forest, like the Gifford Pinchot. Not as many elk because there's a lot less logging, but less people too, and more driveable roads with less gates.

[chiwawadan]

PM being sent.

[Airohunter]

Very familiar with the NF but as you pointed out the lack of critters makes it very undesirable.

[bobcat]

Very familiar with the NF but as you pointed out the lack of critters makes it very undesirable.

Yep, but the thing is what you're looking for in an elk hunt you really need to get a pass from one of the timber companies. Plan for it next year. This year they sold out in record time and there's no permits left anywhere that I know of.

[High Climber]

The Ryderwood unit isn’t the same as it was 14 years ago.. both access and elk numbers have drastically declined. Lots of sick elk as well with hoof rot. Sorry for the doom and gloom but it really is true

[Airohunter]

Yeah, I had it planned to get a permit, was under the impression I had time. I was out of town on another hunt when I got the news that they sold out.

[Reinsurance shooter]

It is nutty back there... not sure if Sierra pacific is still doing it, but 6/7 years ago when I shot a cow behind one of their Gates the foresters would pick you up and haul you out if you called them. May be the ticket to venture a bit deeper with your dad. Happy to Pm you where we saw elk lost frequently. Though that was several years back.

[Reinsurance shooter]

Pm sent