Weyerhaeuser Aberdeen Permit

[bhomma]

I have a couple of questions for anyone who has bought this permit in the past or has hunted in the gmu's where the area is located. Was wondering what the typical odds are for purchasing the permit. I hunted in the st helens tree farm for a couple of years after they changed the Margaret to general but have not hunted in washington since then due to school and hunting out of state. The reason I'm asking this question is that my dad who is becoming less and less mobile really wants to experience archery elk hunting although he would not be the shooter. With his limitations the weyerhaeuser permits peaked my interest since there are plenty of roads we can use to get around. My plan is for both him and I to buy the Aberdeen permit, however, knowing that there's a limited number available I would not want for him to get one and me to not or visa versa as that would be a waist of money. Looking at the maps, there are some substantial tracts of DNR land in the area that would give us the same as far as road access but I know that the pressure in these areas is most likely significantly higher.Any input is much appreciated.

-Brian 

[WSU]

I have a couple of questions for anyone who has bought this permit in the past or has hunted in the gmu's where the area is located. Was wondering what the typical odds are for purchasing the permit. I hunted in the st helens tree farm for a couple of years after they changed the Margaret to general but have not hunted in washington since then due to school and hunting out of state. The reason I'm asking this question is that my dad who is becoming less and less mobile really wants to experience archery elk hunting although he would not be the shooter. With his limitations the weyerhaeuser permits peaked my interest since there are plenty of roads we can use to get around. My plan is for both him and I to buy the Aberdeen permit, however, knowing that there's a limited number available I would not want for him to get one and me to not or visa versa as that would be a waist of money. Looking at the maps, there are some substantial tracts of DNR land in the area that would give us the same as far as road access but I know that the pressure in these areas is most likely significantly higher.Any input is much appreciated.

-Brian

For the last 2 or 3 years, either my dad has got his or I have got mine but not both.  You definitely cannot count on both getting it.  It has ruined the option for us and we haven't hunted much there.

[bhomma]

Thanks for the info and that's what I suspected. I'm wondering how people plan around these permit sales. It seems like you're better off hunting public land if you know that you'll be hunting with a group to avoid this situation. As far as the other timber companies like Rayonier and green diamond, are these permits equally as competitive?

[WSU]

I haven't tried other permits, so I can't help there.  We haven't really found a good solution at this point. 

[dub870]

I have not tried after they changed their method 2 years ago. Pretty random who gets a permit and who does not.

[bhomma]

Thanks for the replies. From the looks of it, we may be better off doing something else