Douglas 108 Moose tag

[Bonehuntn]

Hey everyone, good buddy drew this moose tag and was curious if anyone had any info they’d be willing to share? Not looking for secret spots or anything…just general info, looks like a ton of private with not a lot of options? Figured I’d ask 🤷‍♂️Thanks

[Ridgeratt]

Perhaps you should look at the crown creek fire. Most of the area is under fire.

https://gacc.nifc.gov/nwcc/fire_info.php#WA-NES-002249

Son has a buddy that the fire has burned up to his back door of his place.

[shootnrun]

Never hunted the unit, but looked at OnX for about a minute and see a few good chunks of public land with another fair bit that is private timber, most of which is accessible via non-motorized options. In addition, it appears a good 10% of the unit is currently on fire. So I'd rule that portion out. But otherwise there are lots of places to go if others don't chip with with specific creeks or drainages to hunt.

[fishngamereaper]

Van Stone mine road to harrier Creek and all roads in between...make loops for hours and hours..bring a sxs.
Joe Creek is an option as well.
As is Comstock mine Rd.
Moose in there are where you find them. It's thick country.
I can send you some pins if you hit any snags.

[Bonehuntn]

Appreciate that Reaper. That’s all we were hoping for was a decent starting point, he doesn’t have a ton of time unfortunately to hunt. So just trying to make that best of it. Thanks!

[Falcon]

Congrats on the tag.   Had the late tag back in 2014.  Late or early tag?

[BrockWeilep]

Van Stone mine road to harrier Creek and all roads in between...make loops for hours and hours..bring a sxs.
Joe Creek is an option as well.
As is Comstock mine Rd.
Moose in there are where you find them. It's thick country.
I can send you some pins if you hit any snags.

As a local, this is about the best advice you could have gotten. If I had that tag that’s where I would be. There are big bulls in there most years, but if it’s the early tag most of them are gonna be higher more than lower. Learn what timber companies you can hunt and which ones you can’t then keep checking clear cuts.


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[Bonehuntn]

It’s the late tag. And that’s great to hear! Appreciate all the insight! Very helpful. Just gotta figure out how to look into what timber company’s let you hunt.

[callturner]

Most all do. Some are gated, walk in only. Some are open with no restrictions. A few such as Vaugans are posted. ON X shows the boundary lines and owners

[bearpaw]

Two things that's going to impact moose hunters in numerous moose areas, Hancock (now Manulife) is closing all lands and posting them, and there are fires in several moose units. All the Hancock lands I've been by while scouting recently have been closed, so take that into consideration in advance.

[Caseknife]

Is Hancock closing permanently or is this just their fire season closure that they do every year?

[hunter399]

Two things that's going to impact moose hunters in numerous moose areas, Hancock (now Manulife) is closing all lands and posting them, and there are fires in several moose units. All the Hancock lands I've been by while scouting recently have been closed, so take that into consideration in advance.

Is Hancock closing permanently or is this just their fire season closure that they do every year?

Not sure ,but a lot of no trespassing signs going up from Manulife/Hancock.
Probably going towards access permits and land lease deals.

[Limhangerslayer]

https://manulifeimlanduse.com/browse-licenses

And at a little over $3 an acre you can lease it.  It’s going to make that NE area harder to hunt in the future

[bearpaw]

Is Hancock closing permanently or is this just their fire season closure that they do every year?

It's a permanent closure

[HillHound]

I assume this must be their larger tracks of land or just further north pieces? Lot of it is so patch worked I don’t know how you would create a lease out of it when you need to go through it to get to other timber companies or state land. We haven’t seen any new Closures in all of our scouting trips over to the Huckleberry unit yet. Hopefully we don’t start seeing them this weekend

[bearpaw]

I assume this must be some of their larger tracks of land? Lot of it is so patch worked I don’t know how you would create a lease out of it when you need to go through it to get to other timber companies or state land. We haven’t seen any new Closures in all of our scouting trips over to the Huckleberry unit yet. Hopefully we don’t start seeing them this weekend

I don't know when you last scouted but your next trip may be a surprise, depending where you go, I know they have closed a lot of lands in Huckleberry. They won't be able to close roads with right of ways to other properties unless those other owners agree with a closure. I don't think any roads could be closed that have right of ways to state or federal lands, but I've seen signage along right of way roads and at many entry roads into Hancock lands.

[TriggerMike]

Van Stone mine road to harrier Creek and all roads in between...make loops for hours and hours..bring a sxs.
Joe Creek is an option as well.
As is Comstock mine Rd.
Moose in there are where you find them. It's thick country.
I can send you some pins if you hit any snags.

OP,

Run this play book and you'll find something. Get over there and start scouting and learning the roads.

[Elkpiss]

Is Hancock closing permanently or is this just their fire season closure that they do every year?

It's a permanent closure

Would that be for Hancock land in Ferry County as well?

[Bonehuntn]

Thanks, appreciate all the info everyone is sharing!

[bearpaw]

Is Hancock closing permanently or is this just their fire season closure that they do every year?

It's a permanent closure

Would that be for Hancock land in Ferry County as well?

I'm sure it will when they get to it.

Keep in mind Hancock lands are now under control of a new company, Manulife, leasing farming and recreation is part of their business model, after speaking to them I learned they are actively working on expanding this in Washington and they have already done this on their lands in other states.

We all want to hunt for free, even though it will cost hunters to hunt their lands, at least they are not refusing to allow hunting like some timber companies, I'm just trying to find a bright side to a sobering situation because I imagine other companies will be watching this and potentially doing something similar.

My apologies to the OP, i'll quit distracting your topic!

[Kingofthemountain83]

All Hancock (Manulife) land on the west side has been pay to play for years... Amazed this took so long... Good luck on the tag...

[Bonehuntn]

Yes, it seems timber land is your best bet in some of these units. I personally don’t know that for sure cuz we’ve never hunted this tag, but from info shared and seems to be so…hopefully that doesn’t change much for future tag holder and possibly my buddy this year. Once in a lifetime deal

[TriggerMike]

Yes, it seems timber land is your best bet in some of these units. I personally don’t know that for sure cuz we’ve never hunted this tag, but from info shared and seems to be so…hopefully that doesn’t change much for future tag holder and possibly my buddy this year. Once in a lifetime deal

There's lots of national forest in that unit as well. Check out Roger's Mtn. And there's other timber company land you can hunt. Don't get hung up on hancock and best of luck to your buddy. Should be an awesome hunt!

[Falcon]

Van Stone mine road to harrier Creek and all roads in between...make loops for hours and hours..bring a sxs.
Joe Creek is an option as well.
As is Comstock mine Rd.
Moose in there are where you find them. It's thick country.
I can send you some pins if you hit any snags.

OP,

Run this play book and you'll find something. Get over there and start scouting and learning the roads.

 

Great info as I hunted all of those areas back in 14 with good success.  Save up money for gas.    Unless you are extremely lucky, plan on putting lots of miles on your rig.    Best of luck 

[Bonehuntn]

Great info for sure. Just spent couple days cruising around the unit to get a feel. No signs on any timber lands that we saw and also didn’t see a moose so 🤞 it works out for him. Thanks to all who shared info appreciate it.

[Bonehuntn]

Also, anyone know a good meat processing shop that would take a moose in the area?

[Ridgeratt]

https://www.gallomeats.com/processing-fees

Here you go. The web page does mention by appointment.

[Bryantmaupin]

I have the late tag as well and scouting isn’t producing much at all up to this point. Triggermike I was told to get ahold of you from Devinshoe. If you have a chance could you call or text me? 509-675-3447. Thanks a bunch.

[TriggerMike]

I have the late tag as well and scouting isn’t producing much at all up to this point. Triggermike I was told to get ahold of you from Devinshoe. If you have a chance could you call or text me? 509-675-3447. Thanks a bunch.

PM sent.

[Pathfinder101]

Good luck gentlemen.  Post pics! 

[Bryantmaupin]

Thanks Triggermike! I tried to message you back but your inbox is full.

[bearpaw]

There are quite a few road closures but it appears most Manulife lands are still open for public hunting in Douglas, Manulife signs detail what is allowed. The north end of the county has a lot more Manulife lands open than the south end of the county. Early season opens today, good luck to all.