National state forest?

[NewHunter24]

First year hunting, passed hunters ed, sighted in the rifle, got all the gear & liscense + tag. Still no idea where to go. Been using onx maps to e scout locations and access points. I plan on hunting gmu 636 from the skokomish side, I just can't figure out what pass you need for driving and parking on the national forest land.

Would it be the forest service day / annual pass?

[johnbmyersii]

Shouldn't need anything. Only time you need a pass in a national forest is at certain camp sites which are clearly posted as a fee site. Good luck!

[Fidelk]

National forests are administered by the US Forest Service......to my knowledge they do not charge entry, driving or parking fees. They probably charge fees in developed campgrounds. You pay some kind of fee or annual pass to enter national parks administered by the US Park Service. You usually cannot hunt on national or State of Washington parks. You were issued an access pass with your WA hunting/fishing license......that needs to be displayed when hunting on state land. A Discover Pass is needed for certain state lands......signs usually inform you of this.

[Daman9091233]

End up having any luck out there. This is one of my favorite areas to explore and camp but never done any hunting out there. And can confirm no pass needed.

[trophyhunt]

When in a developed camp ground on forest circus land, it's called the "Northwest forest pass". 

[pickardjw]

I have my WDFW Access Pass that comes with your license, a Discover pass, and a Northwest Forest pass. That generally covers any access you may need in the state to public land.

If you're hunting Olympic National Forest and parking at a site that requires a fee, the Northwest Forest Pass will cover it.

[Knocker of rocks]

When in a developed camp ground on forest circus land, it's called the "Northwest forest pass".

Yes, many trailheads on USFS land require a pass.

[vandeman17]

My truck identifies as a rock so I just park wherever and don't worry about a stupid pass

[pianoman9701]

If the trailhead requires the forest pass, just park 50 yards down the road on the shoulder. No pass required.

[A. Cole]

Was thinking about this the other day as I got a ticket for forgetting to put up my discover pass (I know, that wasn't very smart of me). Why does the government charge a fee for Americans to go onto our own land? Did this tax go through congress to be voted on, or did some faceless beaurocrat make up the rule? Does this mean someone in one of these alphabet agencies can make up any mandate, rule, or fine that they choose? I'm pretty sure the constitution says that no court outside of those specifically stated therein is legal. But when you get charged a fine for driving onto your own land you are judged by rules that were set up by an administrative state. I'm open to being wrong about this. Thoughts?

[trophyhunt]

Was thinking about this the other day as I got a ticket for forgetting to put up my discover pass (I know, that wasn't very smart of me). Why does the government charge a fee for Americans to go onto our own land? Did this tax go through congress to be voted on, or did some faceless beaurocrat make up the rule? Does this mean someone in one of these alphabet agencies can make up any mandate, rule, or fine that they choose? I'm pretty sure the constitution says that no court outside of those specifically stated therein is legal. But when you get charged a fine for driving onto your own land you are judged by rules that were set up by an administrative state. I'm open to being wrong about this. Thoughts?

agree, and you aren’t wrong, all these passes are BS!  Now, I say this cause I spend hundreds if not thousands on tags, permit fees and licenses already to hunt and fish this state. It’s always been my feeling that hunters and fishermen should receive a pass that covers all lands for free when they drop all this money for everything.  That’s why I don’t buy passes, but I also don’t spend time on DNR land, those guys sound like nazi’s if you don’t have a pass, must have gotten picked on a lot in school to write those $100 tickets.

[raydog]

Was thinking about this the other day as I got a ticket for forgetting to put up my discover pass (I know, that wasn't very smart of me). Why does the government charge a fee for Americans to go onto our own land? Did this tax go through congress to be voted on, or did some faceless beaurocrat make up the rule? Does this mean someone in one of these alphabet agencies can make up any mandate, rule, or fine that they choose? I'm pretty sure the constitution says that no court outside of those specifically stated therein is legal. But when you get charged a fine for driving onto your own land you are judged by rules that were set up by an administrative state. I'm open to being wrong about this. Thoughts?

agree, and you aren’t wrong, all these passes are BS!  Now, I say this cause I spend hundreds if not thousands on tags, permit fees and licenses already to hunt and fish this state. It’s always been my feeling that hunters and fishermen should receive a pass that covers all lands for free when they drop all this money for everything.  That’s why I don’t buy passes, but I also don’t spend time on DNR land, those guys sound like nazi’s if you don’t have a pass, must have gotten picked on a lot in school to write those $100 tickets.

If you make it a couple years without a ticket, you’re money ahead not buying stupid passes.

[pianoman9701]

The Discover Pass was voted in by the legislature to cover Administrative costs in the wake of budget reductions for state parks and lands. It does seem to be a double tax on hunters and fishers. I would favor a reduced fee for us commensurate with how much of our tags go to public land access. I can't find out if 100% of the monies collected are ear-marked or if any goes into the general fund.

After an hour on the phone with 4 different contacts, no one in the USFS or USDA seems to know how the NW Forest Pass started (about 20 years ago), where the money goes, and how much of that money goes directly to Region 6 of the USFS. Big government sure runs smoothly.

I don't mind paying extra to access public lands if I get some bang for my buck. Funds going to administrative costs are OK if the administration has been pared down as much as possible. This is rarely the case with government.

[A. Cole]

Seems to me that since the land is ours, we shouldn't have to pay to go onto it. The government already taxes us incessantly, and one of their jobs described in the constitution is to make and take care of roads. The parking permits seem to be just another tax, pretending not to be a tax. The last couple of days have been hopeful for paring down the governmental over reach that has been especially prevalent in the last couple years. I'll keep praying that we can keep and regain our freedoms, unlike they've been able to in Australia and Canada. Sorry that this got political, but when the political breaks into your own life it starts looking a lot more important.