Question about Hancock Timber Co Eastside

[Kingofthemountain83]

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