Question about Hancock Timber Co Eastside

[Zag11]

I have hunted whitetails on Hancock Timber Co. land in Stevens County for almost 15 years now. Other than closures for fires or active logging, my
understanding is as long as you don’t block gates and park legally you are good to go. However, this year, at one of the spots I hunt, there was a new “Manulife” sign at the gate. It still had the WDFW land access agreement sign, so I figured I was good to go. However, I recently went to the Hancock Timber Co. recreation website to see if they had updated anything rule or access-wise, and it redirected me to the Manulife website. After doing some research there, it seems that this land now requires a lease or a permit to hunt? Can anyone speak to this? Is all Hancock land going to permit or lease holders only? Thanks in advance. Would hate to see that land become a pay to play thing.

[Birdsandfish]

Yes. They have chunks for lease. A lot of it already is leased. Big chunks start around $4 an acre.

[Rigby416]

We had the same issue on timber company land in Grays Harbor county a few years ago.  I get it that it's their land, but now it's just cost prohibitive.  Dad and I started hunting there in 1965, lots of memories.

[Bob33]

https://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,294007.msg3997817.html#msg3997817

https://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,294020.0.html

[MMCCAULEY]

It'd be nice if their map would show what lands have "No Trespassing" signs on them already. 

[hunter399]

3 options only.

1)Leased.....no trespassing everywhere.

2) lease limbo , it's up for lease , no signs and nobody has leased yet. Basically still able to access.

3) It's marked with Access signs at gate.

Pretty much on your own to figure out what options your at.
Drive to every gate and figure out.

[avidnwoutdoorsman]

My property boarders Hancock (Manulife) in Stevens County. I had heard this was coming when I was up muzzy hunting and when I got back I emailed them to get more details. Were they leaving anything open, what ones specifically were getting leased, etc.

Response:
"It looks like you are in Stevens County. All MFM lands in Stevens, Spokane, and Pend Oreille counties are closed and are in our fee access recreation license program now. You can check out these private leases on hancockrecreation.com.

Properties in Ferry county and the Colville reservations are still open for non-motorized access only."

I asked a few more questions...

Response:
"Essentially, all Manulife lands are closed to recreational access, including both vehicle and walk-in entry. This change reflects our transition to a private license model rather than open public access.

Key Details:
- Parcels are being reviewed individually before they are posted for license opportunities.
- The process is time-consuming, so tracts are listed gradually as reviews are completed.
- If someone expresses interest in a specific tract, that parcel is moved to the top of the queue for review.
- Lands within the Colville Reservation and in Ferry County remain open for non-motorized access only.

To clarify: lands do not remain open until lease conversion—closure occurs before marketing begins.

Please let me know if you need additional details or have specific tracts in mind."

If its not posted and its in one of those counties.... I still wouldnt go on it is all I am trying to say.

[HUNTINCOUPLE]

So if all members of HW cough up 4$ for one acre then we can have some serious land lease trespass issues to conquer.  Cornner crossing to start. Cell cams everywhere? People on cams? It's endless......... Calling the BFRO something team.......

[Zag11]

Interesting. Thank you all. Such a bummer. This specific gate didn’t have any “no trespassing” signs or anything. Seems like it may be in the transition phase. Really begins to start squeezing everyone into less publicly accessible land

[Kingofthemountain83]

Just like western WA!

[highcountry_hunter]

The fact that anyone pays money to hunt what is basically public/private land in Washington in 2025 blows my mind…

[Kingofthemountain83]

The fact that anyone pays money to hunt what is basically public/private land in Washington in 2025 blows my mind…
[/quot


The best Rosey elk hunting I ever had was on a Rayonier lease outta Forks...  And the second highest success rate GMU for modern BT is because of Weyerhaeuser... These area's sell out every year... These areas will to if they have decent hunting... 

[hunter399]

My property boarders Hancock (Manulife) in Stevens County. I had heard this was coming when I was up muzzy hunting and when I got back I emailed them to get more details. Were they leaving anything open, what ones specifically were getting leased, etc.

Response:
"It looks like you are in Stevens County. All MFM lands in Stevens, Spokane, and Pend Oreille counties are closed and are in our fee access recreation license program now. You can check out these private leases on hancockrecreation.com.

Properties in Ferry county and the Colville reservations are still open for non-motorized access only."

I asked a few more questions...

Response:
"Essentially, all Manulife lands are closed to recreational access, including both vehicle and walk-in entry. This change reflects our transition to a private license model rather than open public access.

Key Details:
- Parcels are being reviewed individually before they are posted for license opportunities.
- The process is time-consuming, so tracts are listed gradually as reviews are completed.
- If someone expresses interest in a specific tract, that parcel is moved to the top of the queue for review.
- Lands within the Colville Reservation and in Ferry County remain open for non-motorized access only.

To clarify: lands do not remain open until lease conversion—closure occurs before marketing begins.

Please let me know if you need additional details or have specific tracts in mind."

If its not posted and its in one of those counties.... I still wouldnt go on it is all I am trying to say.

I do believe that is true,and the response that you received.
But they still have Access signs at some gates.
I'm sure it will take time and money before all access signs are gone,all land is leased.
If they continue to have signs saying I'm allowed to access. Then I might as well get a freebie.

[hughjorgan]

The fact that anyone pays money to hunt what is basically public/private land in Washington in 2025 blows my mind…
[/quot


The best Rosey elk hunting I ever had was on a Rayonier lease outta Forks...  And the second highest success rate GMU for modern BT is because of Weyerhaeuser... These area's sell out every year... These areas will to if they have decent hunting... 

Well a guy can hunt a whole lot of states or go on a really nice outfitted hunt for 8-9k(that’s their cheapest lease) and who in their right mind would pay for that to hunt that in Washington. One of their leases is asking almost 70k.

[hunter399]

The fact that anyone pays money to hunt what is basically public/private land in Washington in 2025 blows my mind…
[/quot


The best Rosey elk hunting I ever had was on a Rayonier lease outta Forks...  And the second highest success rate GMU for modern BT is because of Weyerhaeuser... These area's sell out every year... These areas will to if they have decent hunting... 

Well a guy can hunt a whole lot of states or go on a really nice outfitted hunt for 8-9k(that’s their cheapest lease) and who in their right mind would pay for that to hunt that in Washington. One of their leases is asking almost 70k.

I know pretty expensive.
Funny part is not all there land is great hunting.
So you'll pay 6k-70k for some EHD out break area ...lol