State Lands on the East Side

[treeclimber2852]

So my son has a second deer tag in 139,142,284 and 381.  We have a reservation on one of the private land opportunities for Mon-Wed, but I was also looking at the Feel free to hunt options (which are more than I expected) and the State Land tracts.  Can I assume that if it's state owned land we can hunt it?  What about "Washington State of Leases only Dept. of Natural Resources"? 

[h3x0ctb1n]

Pretty sure if it's state owned you can hunt it. If the land is leased, it's probably for resource leases like timber, which shouldn't preclude hunting. But I'm no expert - if anyone knows different, I stand to be corrected.

[SpurInSpokane]

A lot of the land there is Ag leases, here's a bit more from an earlier thread:
https://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,238992.msg3242545.html#msg3242545

[Stein]

For state land, I assume if it's not posted than I can hunt it.  I know there are some instances where you can't hunt it or have restrictions to some parts, but like many things in WA, it isn't completely clear.  Each agency (WDFW, DNR, etc) could have different rules and most are difficult to find or don't exist.

I called DNR once and the guy said go for it but also admitted he didn't know for sure one way or another and was luckily pro-hunting.

[coyotecrazy]

If it’s posted, you can’t hunt it. If it is an ag field like an irrigated circle for crops, most likely cannot hunt it without permission. Unfortunately dnr is not clear on this. Best case is to call the dnr office in the area you plan to hunt and ask to talk with the land manager for that area. They can give you the most accurate info for the land you specifically want to hunt. Good luck.

[callturner]

Just curious, how did he draw 4 units?

[treeclimber2852]

It’s the second deer tag....covers 4 units.  I think it’s hunt 1414. 

[B Mo]

DNR lands cannot be posted by the leaser without written permission from the department.  About five years ago I spoke with the SE Region land manager for DNR, and at that time no lands in the region had been given permission to be posted.  I would avoid walking on someone’s freshly planted winter wheat on leased land obviously, but generally speaking DNR lands are huntable.

[lonedave]

B Mo is correct, but also many sections are landlocked by private which would preclude being able to access it without the adjacent landowners permission.  I don't think corner crossing is OK in this state yet either.

[avidnwoutdoorsman]

Just curious, how did he draw 4 units?

Its the Washtucna doe tag... 1334? for Muzzy Antlerless and 1414 for Second Deer

[T-Dozzer]

Whitman County still hasn't put its landowner details online. Quite a bit of that "state land" is actually land the schools own. Or used to own & have either sold it or lease it to be farmed. Its also not 100% accurate. For 3 years onx had our house on the farm listed as state land which it definitely is not. Now they have a section of the farm further down listed as state land. Which again, it is not.

[stigalla]

B Mo is correct, but also many sections are landlocked by private which would preclude being able to access it without the adjacent landowners permission.  I don't think corner crossing is OK in this state yet either.

i found 39 acres of landlocked dnr that touches the corner of my place.. never noticed it before today... looking at Onx

[pd]

Whitman County still hasn't put its landowner details online. Quite a bit of that "state land" is actually land the schools own. Or used to own & have either sold it or lease it to be farmed. Its also not 100% accurate. For 3 years onx had our house on the farm listed as state land which it definitely is not. Now they have a section of the farm further down listed as state land. Which again, it is not.

And why-o-why is Whitman county still not providing data to Onx?  It is the only county in WA not participating.  Any insights?

[T-Dozzer]

Whitman County still hasn't put its landowner details online. Quite a bit of that "state land" is actually land the schools own. Or used to own & have either sold it or lease it to be farmed. Its also not 100% accurate. For 3 years onx had our house on the farm listed as state land which it definitely is not. Now they have a section of the farm further down listed as state land. Which again, it is not.

And why-o-why is Whitman county still not providing data to Onx?  It is the only county in WA not participating.  Any insights?

I dont know why it's taken so long. We have a new county assessor and she said it was a priority to go digital and that they were working on it. I think with it being so much private land and so much of it, it's
 a big push. The lease vs own will make things convoluted for those seeking permission still.

[Caz]

For state land, I assume if it's not posted than I can hunt it.  I know there are some instances where you can't hunt it or have restrictions to some parts, but like many things in WA, it isn't completely clear.  Each agency (WDFW, DNR, etc) could have different rules and most are difficult to find or don't exist.

I called DNR once and the guy said go for it but also admitted he didn't know for sure one way or another and was luckily pro-hunting.

I'd be careful about postings. I know a few folks in 139 who post no trespassing on BLM land just because that land is near theirs, and they know people won't investigate.