vail hunting

[wapiti hunter2]

Vail is open to Mt. Bikes, horses and foot traffic at anytime.  Yes, you can hunt from the bikes.  The farther you go the better.  I go at least 5 miles from an accessable gate.  I do not go to the main Vail access gate but use any of the others.  Google some aerial photos and do some scouting.  Then get away from the road once you are in.

[Dmanmastertracker]

 I haven't hunted Vail at all this year, amazing how much less stressful my season has been . What a zoo. One comment I have to add on hunters that believe in setting up a "funnel", how you do it makes all the difference. In Vail there is one thing that has always really pissed me off. I have no issue with a guy getting set up at first light on a hill and then waiting for deer to be pushed to them, but in Vail, nearly every single day there is some yahoo that will see you hiking a cut, or sidehill and run up above or below you at only a few hundred yards away and well within rifle range with the intent of shooting back your direction at a deer you may potentially kick out ahead of you. THIS IS STUPID and dangerous, do not be tempted to do this, do it the right way and get there early and wait if you need to hunt that way. I've had guys in Vail literally jump out with me in full sight at less than 100 yards away and start hunting, they just don't care about the safety aspect.

[Dmanmastertracker]

Vail is open to Mt. Bikes, horses and foot traffic at anytime.  Yes, you can hunt from the bikes.  The farther you go the better.  I go at least 5 miles from an accessable gate.  I do not go to the main Vail access gate but use any of the others.  Google some aerial photos and do some scouting.  Then get away from the road once you are in.

 You are not allowed to access any active logging area, by any means in Vail FYI.

[muletender]

I guess i must be one of those DICK HEADS as i was a third generation logger that  grew up in Vail in the 50s&60s when it was still a loggin camp, i still have a lot of friends that work there and have risked there lives for thirty years and more as logging is one of the most deadly occupations, yes they have keys to the gates and well deserved,they have earned it, if it was up to me they would be the only ones hunting there,they also spend there time up watching for vandalism to equipment during hunting season. It makes me mad as hell to hear anyone that has never probably worked in the woods, and make any kind of statements like Tamer has against them!

[Tom Tamer]

I guess i must be one of those DICK HEADS as i was a third generation logger that  grew up in Vail in the 50s&60s when it was still a loggin camp, i still have a lot of friends that work there and have risked there lives for thirty years and more as logging is one of the most deadly occupations, yes they have keys to the gates and well deserved,they have earned it, if it was up to me they would be the only ones hunting there,they also spend there time up watching for vandalism to equipment during hunting season. It makes me mad as hell to hear anyone that has never probably worked in the woods, and make any kind of statements like Tamer has against them!

You misunderstood my comment or I wasn't clear, I was just trying to point out that some that drive the roads work there, by no means was I calling them dick heads, that was what others called them and why I put it in quotes I was just pointing out to try and clarify. My Dad worked for Weyeco.from the late 60's to the mid '80's and still has freinds that work there.  I didn't know if they're allowed to hunt in there at any time and I'm glad they are. I know how dangerous that business can be.




 Sorry if you mis understood me I was born and raised on the Loggers dollar and do not belittle any who work in that field.

[duckmen1]

same situations are going all around
we were glassing a clearcut when a convoy of 3 vehicles stoped 40yds max away about 10 huners jumped out and got in a line and started glassing the same portion we were
9 hunters didn't even were hunter orange
in fact over 50% of road hunters driving around didn't even wear hunter orange wheather they were driving or stopping at a clearcut to glass

[nailbender]

same situations are going all around
we were glassing a clearcut when a convoy of 3 vehicles stoped 40yds max away about 10 huners jumped out and got in a line and started glassing the same portion we were
9 hunters didn't even were hunter orange
in fact over 50% of road hunters driving around didn't even wear hunter orange wheather they were driving or stopping at a clearcut to glass

Since when is orange reqired to be worn "while driving"

[bankwalker]

same situations are going all around
we were glassing a clearcut when a convoy of 3 vehicles stoped 40yds max away about 10 huners jumped out and got in a line and started glassing the same portion we were
9 hunters didn't even were hunter orange
in fact over 50% of road hunters driving around didn't even wear hunter orange wheather they were driving or stopping at a clearcut to glass

Since when is orange reqired to be worn "while driving"

yea but 99% of them jump out with thier gun and start "hunting" when they see a deer.

i wish i could be a warden for a day in vail. i see more laws broken in one day up there then any other place all season.

[Sneekee23]

I first hunted the vail unit while I was still bow hunting for deer... ya it took two pieces of lead flying over my head for me to switch to a bow.    For the past couple of years I have used the Vail as a go to area.  I would have to say that if you do your homework and are willing to walk in or ride a bike in you will be surprised in the game that you will see.  I have been successfull every year that I have hunted the vail.  You have to remember that if the gate is open durring the week that means it is an active logging area... you can't be behind the gate.  Last Wed on my weekend I started up the road behind the locked gate a couple hours before daylight and a engineer for W. drove up behind me and stopped me.  He stated that he hated to do it but he needed me to turn around and head out so I did.  Saw a few deer and 2 smaller bucks and was out of the vail by 10:00am.  All in all if people would just be respectful to the land and their equipment maybe they would open the gates.  I grew up hunting the Yacolt burn and it took one year of heavy vandalism to have all access gated and gaurded.  Personally I wish they would lock the gates on the weekends.

[turkey buster]

I guess i must be one of those DICK HEADS as i was a third generation logger that  grew up in Vail in the 50s&60s when it was still a loggin camp, i still have a lot of friends that work there and have risked there lives for thirty years and more as logging is one of the most deadly occupations, yes they have keys to the gates and well deserved,they have earned it, if it was up to me they would be the only ones hunting there,they also spend there time up watching for vandalism to equipment during hunting season. It makes me mad as hell to hear anyone that has never probably worked in the woods, and make any kind of statements like Tamer has against them!

the dick heads I was referring to are not the employees of weyco as I too am an ex employee my brother still works for them as do many of my Friends, they are the dick heads that drive up behind you while you are hiking in and expect you to move and if they have their permit that is required for all employees I will move if they don't well then they are the dick heads that I am referring to and they have too drive thru the ditch to get around me or turn around, I would like to apologies for my misinterpretation of the word dick head but don't be to quick to assume that just because someone is driving up there I'm calling them a *censored*
chuck

[duckmen1]

hey nailbender
just got a question for you
whats the point of not wearing your hunter orange??
all the people i'm talking about are not wearing their hunter orange in the truck and when they get out to glass the clear cut
you must be one of these hunters are'nt you
is there any reason not to wear hunter orange in your truck
you think it is going to scare your deer off while your in your truck or something

[bobcat]

Just speaking for me, but I don't wear my orange vest while driving because it's usually got the back pouch packed full of stuff, usually my rain coat/pants, water bottle, etc. It's kind of uncomfortable trying to sit down and drive with all that crap in the back of the vest. I put it on when I get out of the truck and begin my hunt. If I'm in the truck I'm not hunting. No need for orange.

[sagerat]

You've always got to remember the "Dick Head" factor! lmao