Question on Watershed Unit?

[mtncook]

Hunt

Good Luck on your hunt!  However you will NOT find a legal packer operating there.  The FS would be the issuing agency for special use permits.  People with hunting permits like yourself can enter with horses and mules but like you said. Not sure now but you used to be able to ride in hunt then back out
for the day.  There may be a new restriction on stock only there for packing. There could be someone operating there but they will not have the a permit, with a permit comes insurance which is for your protection.  Good to know they have opened the trails.

If someone would want to contact the FS,  the district officer for the watershed is  Walla Walla Ranger District.  I'l get the regular phone number.  Thanks to those who call.

mtncook

[HUNT]

Mtn Cook


So you are saying that I can't hire you to go in with me on my permit, with your stock, to pack out my elk? 

I don't know for sure.  I am just going on conversations that I had with the caretaker of the watershed who works for the city of Walla Walla.

I haven't received my packet yet explaining all the rules for this year.  He did tell me that there may be some changes this year in the rules.

[sjhgraysage]

I believe what mtncook is saying is that his use permit for the Umatilla Forest does not cover that portion of the national forest, the Mill Creek Watershed (Walla Walla's municipal water supply). He has stated in other posts that he is the only FS permit holder for the Wenaha and Tucannon GMUs.
Which means that if you contract (pay) someone else to pack you, your gear, or your meat in those areas you have made a transaction with someone that is not allowed to conduct business on FS lands.
I'm sure that he will come back on and clarify that.
This / these restrictions are some of the reason(s) I don't apply for that hunt any more.

[mtncook]

Here it is guys.

I'm permitted for parts of Wenaha East/West and Tucannon, not the only permittee but the only one with those 3 units.  Hunt,,  I cannot be hired to pack for you.  You cannot legally pay anyone for services rendered on USFS land that does not have a special use permit. The Walla Walla Ranger District number is 509-522-6290 the special use permit person is Jeff Bloom.  I would suggest you express the need for a licensed/permitted packer to operate during that short 9 day season. My insurance would allow me to operate there. For someone to only operate there the insurance premium could be between 2 and 3 thousand. That is why the guy gave it up. The FS requires $500,000 liability I carry $1,000,000 as the premium is not much more.  I understand the FS having some non commercial units like Dayton and the Western part of Wenaha West but the Watershed needs to be handled differently with the limited access restrictions they have. The 100 foot from water gut deal should not be a real problem for you guys. It is a long ways to the creek where most of you will find elk.    Good Luck Guys 

mtncook

[HUNT]

Good to know...  Thanks for the info .  I guess I need to call in some favors and have some of my friends come down and pack out.  Thanks mtncook for the info....

[mtncook]

Hunt

Give me a call toll free 877-251-8535

You will have to take your friends in one at a time, unless they have changed it. That is the tough part of the watershed too many rules.

mtncook

[mtncook]

New rules in the watershed.  I guy called last night wanting me to pack his meat.  He just received a letter that the new deal is you can have a non gun toting companion the whole time, and you can take 3 people with you to pack meat after the kill.  That is new this year.  am working on getting a copy of the letter.

[HUNT]

I can confirm that this is the case.  I got the letter.