2026 NE timberlands access

[ganghis]

In prep for turkey season I was trying to figure out what timber companies are allowing access in the NE corner.  Here's what I came up with, feel free to add/edit if you have more info.

Arden – No
Boston – Probably not, maybe part of Hancock?
Golden Pond – Probably not, maybe part of Hancock?
Hancock – No unless you're rich and lease
Priest River – Probably (people do it, can’t find official statement)
Riley Creek - ??
Stimson – Yes (read requirements online @ https://stimsonlumber.com/recreation-land/)
System global – Probably not, maybe part of Hancock?
Vaagen Bros – No

[Ridgeratt]

That's pretty much 3/4 or more of the northeast. Might make big game hunting a little more challenging.

[hunter_sean08]

Genuinely curious on the Golden Pond, Boston, and System Global lands that haven't been put up for lease or permits thru Manulife (Hancock). There's still quite a few of them. If they're unavailable, it makes hunting up there that much more difficult.

[hughjorgan]

That's pretty much 3/4 or more of the northeast. Might make big game hunting a little more challenging.

It looks like they are going to start selling access permits starting 7/1 if you go look at their website

[baldopepper]

Not just the timber companies that have made access more difficult.  There's some pretty big chunks around that have sold to private individuals and seems more properties.also leased out for hunting.  A lot of those properties, both timber companies and private, have become almost game preserves when the seasons start. Every year I run into hunters very frustrated because they see a lot of game, but all safely behind no trespassing signs.

[hunter399]

In prep for turkey season I was trying to figure out what timber companies are allowing access in the NE corner.  Here's what I came up with, feel free to add/edit if you have more info.

Arden – No
Boston – Probably not, maybe part of Hancock?
Golden Pond – Probably not, maybe part of Hancock?
Hancock – No unless you're rich and lease
Priest River – Probably (people do it, can’t find official statement)
Riley Creek - ??
Stimson – Yes (read requirements online @ https://stimsonlumber.com/recreation-land/)
System global – Probably not, maybe part of Hancock?
Vaagen Bros – No

Your assessment is correct., Boston, system global, golden pond,is Hancock

[ganghis]

@hunter399 - thank for the info!

@hughjorgan - thanks, yeah looks like at least some properties (like in Ferry County) will be open for permit fees for big game season.  But, I'm still not sure what is going on for the fall on Manulife/Hancock in Stevens county etc.  Looks like they're going to open things somewhat but right now it says 'place bid' when you click on it (see https://manulifeimlanduse.com/browse-licenses?licenseId=40699).  Anyway, I'm going to leave 'as is' for now since my current focus is on spring turkey.

Also, I'm using Gaia GPS instead of OnX like most of you, so not sure if my private land names are up-to-date (mine says Hancock but maybe OnX has updated to Manulife?).  At any rate, I've updated the list:

Arden – No
Boston – See Hancock/Manulife
Golden Pond – See Hancock/Manulife
Hancock/Manulife – No unless you're rich and lease
Priest River – Probably (people do it, can’t find official statement)
Riley Creek - ??
Stimson – Yes (read requirements online @ https://stimsonlumber.com/recreation-land/)
System global – See Hancock/Manulife
Vaagen Bros – No

Every time I say Hancock I think of this scene from Family Guy:

You're welcome.

[Limhangerslayer]

In prep for turkey season I was trying to figure out what timber companies are allowing access in the NE corner.  Here's what I came up with, feel free to add/edit if you have more info.

Arden – No
Boston – Probably not, maybe part of Hancock?
Golden Pond – Probably not, maybe part of Hancock?
Hancock – No unless you're rich and lease
Priest River – Probably (people do it, can’t find official statement)
Riley Creek - ??
Stimson – Yes (read requirements online @ https://stimsonlumber.com/recreation-land/)
System global – Probably not, maybe part of Hancock?
Vaagen Bros – No

correct on all and Arden and Vaagen are really just more local private owners not timber companies really. 

[huntnnw]

inland paper is a timber co and allows access with a permit

[hunter399]

Hancock pulled out of the cooperative road closed agreement with WDFW.
They really screwed the average Joe on access.
I can bet the peeps that have paid for a lease are not happy.
Hunting is ok on there property,it's nothing to write home about.
Definitely not worth what they are changing for it.

Money and greed has created a 💩 storm .
And to think I used to pick up trash on my way out.
Hang signs back up and report gates busted open.
For what ,so they could piss down my back and call it rain.

[avidnwoutdoorsman]

Hancock pulled out of the cooperative road closed agreement with WDFW.
They really screwed the average Joe on access.
I can bet the peeps that have paid for a lease are not happy.
Hunting is ok on there property,it's nothing to write home about.
Definitely not worth what they are changing for it.

Money and greed has created a 💩 storm .
And to think I used to pick up trash on my way out.
Hang signs back up and report gates busted open.
For what ,so they could piss down my back and call it rain.

While I don't disagree that money and greed are part of the problem... "we" didn't help the cause.
Some real genuine numbers from the guy that use the manage the Hancock property behind my place. This area too was posted as a non-vehicle access area to which I don't think a soul listen to because they felt entitled to drive in an access the area because they once could.
In this small junk of Stevens county which I mean only 1/4 of their land they were paying in excess of $40k a year in damages to their property.
The gentleman I talk to is square on our side too, he very much said he didn't like they were going to the lease/permit but it was a cooperate call that sucked ... which yes may be greed...
BUT.....
If you had property and you allowed access to that property but it came at a fiscal cost to you, would you keep footing that bill? Or would you change course.
It would be one thing if EVERYONE was actually respectful and considerate to the fact they are on Private Land paid for by private funds. Yes there could be some offset from the state for allowing access but if you're physically loosing money to let people you don't know use your land would you keep doing it?

I hate it, I truly do. It's way over priced relative to even the access at Weyerhauser on the west side. However, I can't blame them with what I have seen in standard disregard by the Majority to their land. I know longer can cut out of my backyard and have access to thousands of acres. Though again, the area behind me was to be non-vehicle and I had 3-5 vehicles driving to my back gate each day during deer and turkey that is 5mi from the nearest manulife access point without a gate. A gate that they couldn't put in because if they did, a drive around would be in place with in the week damaging more of their crop and costing them more money.

Its a loose-loose.