Winthrop - Winter Range Road Closures

[andrebeergog]

Spent some time scouting this weekend north of Winthrop and noticed many of the FS roads closed on October 1st.   They were marked closed for the protection of the winter range.  Is it this way every year?  Thanks!

[mountainman]

That’s the “New” Methow Valley for you!

[timberfaller]

  

And they have a ton of excuses why too!!

[bigmacc]

 

And they have a ton of excuses why too!!

Yes sir👍 I doubt though that it has much to do with “winter range” probably more to do with their “darlings”.😉

[HikerHunter]

Aren't they just closed to vehicle traffic but open to walking on?

[timberfaller]

Just as there are backdoor Anti-2A groups and people, look no closer then MVCC and its members.  As the ole saying goes, Follow the money trail!!

The Methow has become the proving ground for the Biodiversity groups!  Better known for their anti-hunting and anti-lead stances and promotions!

You can walk on them, just make sure you are wearing Birkenstock and spandex!!

[andrebeergog]

The sign reads closed to all motorized vehicle traffic.  So, the areas are not off limits entirely.

[timberfaller]

Some of the "closure" people, are also rabid against the local ATV crowd!  They've been pushing back against their "ideology's" even if they are now "legal"!   That ruffle's their feathers!

Only "quiet" recreation should be allowed in their precious Methow!  So much for being "tolerant" and "co-existing"!

[PsoasHunter]

What roads are closed? Will be up there Friday, only access in to camp is forest service roads.

[TommyH]

Following along for info.

[MtnMuley]

The roads that you're seeing closed up there on Oct 1 have been that way for many years. These aren't the new closures of the winter range as of recent years.

[Twispriver]

 

[MADMAX]

Agree

[Alchase]

The roads that you're seeing closed up there on Oct 1 have been that way for many years. These aren't the new closures of the winter range as of recent years.

 

Thanks MntMuley!

As far as I know the roads have been closed to vehicles October 1st, since we started hunting there in the late 80s.

The roads above Volsted always had a Closed to protect Migratory Mule Deer signs as long as I can remember. But I have not been up there in a few years.

[Kingofthemountain83]

I've hunted some of the side roads off the main lines they close Oct 1st... Some are totally impassable without busting brush and hopping dozens of blow down and dead fall... Sometimes you may get "lucky" and have a trail around it...  Some great area's though... I've thought about spending a weekend cutting trail on a couple roads but sure I'd just do it for someone to beat me there...Still probably be worth it... 

[Schmalzfam]

I've hunted some of the side roads off the main lines they close Oct 1st... Some are totally impassable without busting brush and hopping dozens of blow down and dead fall... Sometimes you may get "lucky" and have a trail around it...  Some great area's though... I've thought about spending a weekend cutting trail on a couple roads but sure I'd just do it for someone to beat me there...Still probably be worth it... 

That's why it's best to just hurdle over them!
Checked out a road that we scouted during archery, for my late quality tag, and someone took the time to move the boulders blocking the road, so they could take their side by side up it! I guess that's one they should gate, if moving those boulders is an option. There are benefits to putting gates up. Stinks not to be able to drive up, but makes the hunting better, less people.

[no.cen.wa]

 I don't think THIS "dept of nowildife "gives a hoot about anything but STOPPING access to hunting. Think about it, 15 years ago there were 10 times (or more) hunters in the woods than today. every camp was full and many got there deer. At 77 years old I have seen a systematic attack on hunting. years ago you didn't have a UTV going up a side road, it was a pickup truck. Still had lots of deer! They are dropping Wolves, Grizzlies, and Cougars all over north central Washington, and now Olympics and every were else they can.
   At least I got to see GREAT HUNTING seasons! 

[bigmacc]

I don't think THIS "dept of nowildife "gives a hoot about anything but STOPPING access to hunting. Think about it, 15 years ago there were 10 times (or more) hunters in the woods than today. every camp was full and many got there deer. At 77 years old I have seen a systematic attack on hunting. years ago you didn't have a UTV going up a side road, it was a pickup truck. Still had lots of deer! They are dropping Wolves, Grizzlies, and Cougars all over north central Washington, and now Olympics and every were else they can.
   At least I got to see GREAT HUNTING seasons!

Hear you no.cen.wa👍

[timberfaller]

I don't think THIS "dept of nowildife "gives a hoot about anything but STOPPING access to hunting. Think about it, 15 years ago there were 10 times (or more) hunters in the woods than today. every camp was full and many got there deer. At 77 years old I have seen a systematic attack on hunting. years ago you didn't have a UTV going up a side road, it was a pickup truck. Still had lots of deer! They are dropping Wolves, Grizzlies, and Cougars all over north central Washington, and now Olympics and every were else they can.
   At least I got to see GREAT HUNTING seasons!

 

But hey,  They'll study the problem!!

[Kingofthemountain83]

I've hunted some of the side roads off the main lines they close Oct 1st... Some are totally impassable without busting brush and hopping dozens of blow down and dead fall... Sometimes you may get "lucky" and have a trail around it...  Some great area's though... I've thought about spending a weekend cutting trail on a couple roads but sure I'd just do it for someone to beat me there...Still probably be worth it... 

That's why it's best to just hurdle over them!
Checked out a road that we scouted during archery, for my late quality tag, and someone took the time to move the boulders blocking the road, so they could take their side by side up it! I guess that's one they should gate, if moving those boulders is an option. There are benefits to putting gates up. Stinks not to be able to drive up, but makes the hunting better, less people.

LOL!!! I'm past my hurdling age... I may have been in some of the same area's as you...

[Schmalzfam]

I've hunted some of the side roads off the main lines they close Oct 1st... Some are totally impassable without busting brush and hopping dozens of blow down and dead fall... Sometimes you may get "lucky" and have a trail around it...  Some great area's though... I've thought about spending a weekend cutting trail on a couple roads but sure I'd just do it for someone to beat me there...Still probably be worth it... 

That's why it's best to just hurdle over them!
Checked out a road that we scouted during archery, for my late quality tag, and someone took the time to move the boulders blocking the road, so they could take their side by side up it! I guess that's one they should gate, if moving those boulders is an option. There are benefits to putting gates up. Stinks not to be able to drive up, but makes the hunting better, less people.

LOL!!! I'm past my hurdling age... I may have been in some of the same area's as you...

We all will be there someday. We can usually find some way around the blocks(trees) though. My late tag is for the Chewuch unit, that's where we were at.

[bigmacc]

There’s reasons “some roads” are closed(blocked). My dad actually had a hand in some of them, working with the Game Department back in the 70’s, keeping motorized vehicles etc out. He eventually “jumped” those gates, burms and boulders on foot for many years going into his 80’s. He killed one or two “nice” bucks. 😉

[Kingofthemountain83]

I've hunted some of the side roads off the main lines they close Oct 1st... Some are totally impassable without busting brush and hopping dozens of blow down and dead fall... Sometimes you may get "lucky" and have a trail around it...  Some great area's though... I've thought about spending a weekend cutting trail on a couple roads but sure I'd just do it for someone to beat me there...Still probably be worth it... 

That's why it's best to just hurdle over them!
Checked out a road that we scouted during archery, for my late quality tag, and someone took the time to move the boulders blocking the road, so they could take their side by side up it! I guess that's one they should gate, if moving those boulders is an option. There are benefits to putting gates up. Stinks not to be able to drive up, but makes the hunting better, less people.

LOL!!! I'm past my hurdling age... I may have been in some of the same area's as you...

We all will be there someday. We can usually find some way around the blocks(trees) though. My late tag is for the Chewuch unit, that's where we were at.

Great tag... Congrats I put in for that one as well... Just got back from there for modern deer... Really like that area...

[Schmalzfam]

I've hunted some of the side roads off the main lines they close Oct 1st... Some are totally impassable without busting brush and hopping dozens of blow down and dead fall... Sometimes you may get "lucky" and have a trail around it...  Some great area's though... I've thought about spending a weekend cutting trail on a couple roads but sure I'd just do it for someone to beat me there...Still probably be worth it... 

That's why it's best to just hurdle over them!
Checked out a road that we scouted during archery, for my late quality tag, and someone took the time to move the boulders blocking the road, so they could take their side by side up it! I guess that's one they should gate, if moving those boulders is an option. There are benefits to putting gates up. Stinks not to be able to drive up, but makes the hunting better, less people.

LOL!!! I'm past my hurdling age... I may have been in some of the same area's as you...

We all will be there someday. We can usually find some way around the blocks(trees) though. My late tag is for the Chewuch unit, that's where we were at.

Great tag... Congrats I put in for that one as well... Just got back from there for modern deer... Really like that area...

Thank you!! I'm getting anxious ☺️ Not too much longer.
Best of luck drawing next year, it is a fun place to hunt.

[shotguunar]

If your worried about access just hunt up on Thompson ridge bike trails every where don't understand why they can build bike trails in the national forest guess their not to worried about the erosion problem