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

[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... 
[/quote

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 it's crazy to some, way of life for others... I just know how it works cause I joined a Rayonier lease for a year... It's like starting your own hunt club... It's very common in the east... And even in some areas in western WA... There is a main person that is in charge, communicates with timber company, and a bunch of members that pay their dues... Had access to 70,000+ acers behind 5 different gates... There were different groups of course, archery elk and modern deer being the most popular... This place has great elk, and bear hunting, good deer hunting... Almost impossible to get an opening... Members rarely drop out... What I'm saying is if this place has better hunting than the state and federal lands around there, they will eventually be leased out... Handcock/Manulife land has been pay to play on the west side for years and it's not good hunting imo it's fair... You can negotiate the price per acer the more you lease... I know nothing about this area but some of you know if it's worth it or not...

[Zag11]

Luckily we still have some good timber co over here that is still free or at least not terribly pricey to get a permit. I have quite honestly never really done much national forest hunting, but when I have, even when I e-scout and run cameras in offseason, think I’m way back in there, etc. I show up night before opening day and there’s camps set up everywhere it seems. I am one who would prefer a hunt with no other hunters at the price of less critters, as opposed to hunting somewhere crowded that might hold more animals. Might just try and plop myself somewhere in the middle of the NF and get as far away from roads as possible. Does the impact of losing accessible timber co have the ability to put a dent on NF usage??

[dmoua]

Luckily we still have some good timber co over here that is still free or at least not terribly pricey to get a permit. I have quite honestly never really done much national forest hunting, but when I have, even when I e-scout and run cameras in offseason, think I’m way back in there, etc. I show up night before opening day and there’s camps set up everywhere it seems. I am one who would prefer a hunt with no other hunters at the price of less critters, as opposed to hunting somewhere crowded that might hold more animals. Might just try and plop myself somewhere in the middle of the NF and get as far away from roads as possible. Does the impact of losing accessible timber co have the ability to put a dent on NF usage??

If you’re wanting to get away from people and roads, hunting timber company land is not where you want to hunt in the first place. People ride around gated timber property on their e-bikes and 4 wheelers all the time even with signs posted at every gate.

It’s unfortunate that Hancock has gone this route with their land. It only hurts the people that follow the rules. None of their land in the NE is worth the price tag they are asking for. There just isn't enough deer or elk on them. I bet they would get more money by selling permits like IEP.

[hunter399]

Luckily we still have some good timber co over here that is still free or at least not terribly pricey to get a permit. I have quite honestly never really done much national forest hunting, but when I have, even when I e-scout and run cameras in offseason, think I’m way back in there, etc. I show up night before opening day and there’s camps set up everywhere it seems. I am one who would prefer a hunt with no other hunters at the price of less critters, as opposed to hunting somewhere crowded that might hold more animals. Might just try and plop myself somewhere in the middle of the NF and get as far away from roads as possible. Does the impact of losing accessible timber co have the ability to put a dent on NF usage??

If you’re wanting to get away from people and roads, hunting timber company land is not where you want to hunt in the first place. People ride around gated timber property on their e-bikes and 4 wheelers all the time even with signs posted at every gate.

It’s unfortunate that Hancock has gone this route with their land. It only hurts the people that follow the rules. None of their land in the NE is worth the price tag they are asking for. There just isn't enough deer or elk on them. I bet they would get more money by selling permits like IEP.

 
That's the truth right there,just not worth what they are selling.
And yes I agree ,just sell access pass individual at a reasonable price.
They'd make more money,give everyone a fair chance at access. Instead of being greedy and locking everyone out , probably having pissed off people who did lease,find out the resources are so low that the lease isn't worth it.
Peeps are gonna be pissed ,after they run some camera on there new lease.
Find out it's a dink factory,or a blue tongue grave yard.
Most Hancock sit at lower elevation here,and is clear cut.
Drought is definitely a factor. Dry side is different, environmental factors are an issue.