2010 Spring Bear Hunt on Copalis, Rayonier Property Permit Info

[billythekidrock]

Flat and brushy is an understatement.

I have also never seen such flat land hold so much water.

[scroder]

My experience last year was a good one with regards to the Rayonier office staff and security that I saw while hunting. Just follow the rules that are set forth and you will not have any problems. Mr. Goodwrench was also helpful, thank you again. I feel that you will need to really put in your time to get to know the area and to find those little sweet spots where the bears are. The unit can be frustrating because it is flat and very very brushy but there are good spots to be found. I hunted there over two weeks last spring and did not see or hear any hound hunters also I did not find any baits. When the sap started to run in the trees I did see a ton of bear damage. I saw ten bear and my hunting partner saw three. Both of us tagged out. I'm convinced that there are plenty of bear for the taking, just gotta really want one. Also, for some insight to the area get a copy of the Ralph Flowers book and study it.

just my 

Jason

[Caretaker]

I'm the lucky one who drew three years in a row that Bob33 refers too, have had many good memories.  It's nice that you don't see environmentalist running around with pots and pans banging, bells tied to their chest etc.  The control measure keeps them out.  Although I need to put some thought into either hunting or letting the $100 fee get to me and lose a point this year.  Kudo's to Billy helping me last year on where to hunt.

Caretaker

[jgorley]

I am new to the site and have read a ton!  This is my first season of spring bear hunting.  Usually it is just early fall.   Typically I hunt the Coweeman and Toutle units for deer and elk.  I have never had the chance to hunt Copalis.  Compared to my stomping grounds, how flat is flat?  Also, is there a map I can pick up before the season?  My local shop had every other map in the world, but that specific unit.  My brother and I have no problems putting miles in on foot, is this necessary to find the cherry areas?  Any info is much appreciated.  Thanks to Rick for the advice on the calls!
James

[CJ-5]

Compared to your stomping grounds jgorley, the copalis unit is VERY flat.  You will not be tired after a day of hiking out there by any means if you are in halfway decent shape. 

[bonecrusher]

Although I need to put some thought into either hunting or letting the $100 fee get to me and lose a point this year.



never ceases to amaze me 

[billythekidrock]

I'm the lucky one who drew three years in a row that Bob33 refers too, have had many good memories.  It's nice that you don't see environmentalist running around with pots and pans banging, bells tied to their chest etc.  The control measure keeps them out.  Although I need to put some thought into either hunting or letting the $100 fee get to me and lose a point this year.  Kudo's to Billy helping me last year on where to hunt.

Caretaker

You are very welcome and I hear ya on the $100. It would be nice if they put that in the regs before hand instead of surprising everyone with quadruple price increase.

[Skyvalhunter]

Obviously they figure it is a money making venture for them

[billythekidrock]

Obviously they figure it is a money making venture for them

Absolutely.

If all permitees payed the fee then they make $10,000.

[mrgoodwrench]

Rayonier won't make 10,000 on the fee.  They LOST money on the $25 fee the last few years with the cost of insurance and the time it takes to administer the permits.  Not to mention the increased cost in security and the fact we had to mobilize two fire trucks and a couple crews to put out the fire a spring bear hunter started last year......and the cost of the trees that fire burnt up......so it is NOT a money making venture, it is an effort to cover our expenses of providing a hunting opportunity to boot hunters.  It would be far easier and more cost effective to use hounds through the WDFW permit system on damage sites.

The coweeman looks like the Rockies in comparison to much of the Copalis.....so you'll have no problem getting around.

[bonecrusher]

   plus if you don't like it DONT PUT IN FOR IT. theres plenty of folks that would like to draw a tag, if one has a fee associated with it and you don't already accept that you ll pay it if you draw then don't put in for for crying out loud!!!!

[bobcat]

bonecrusher, that's not a fair statement to make. Nobody knew beforehand that the fee was $100.

[mrgoodwrench]

WDFW leaves any and all fees associated to the permits up to the landowner.  None of them for any landowner are printed in the Regs.....it was a surprise the first year $25 was charged, and it was a surprise again this year when it went up.  I heard Hancock wants 100 or 150 for the Kapowsin farm as well.

[bobcat]

They need to open up all GMU's to the spring bear hunt, especially those with large amounts of public land. Then nobody (or very few) would apply for the units that require an access fee. I'm really surprised the WDFW doesn't have permits for all GMU's, just think of the money they could make. Even if they were only to offer 5 or 10 permits per unit, what would be the downside

[bonecrusher]

bonecrusher, that's not a fair statement to make. Nobody knew beforehand that the fee was $100.

OK if its truly a surprise ill give ya that. but i know theres mention of contacting Hancock in the regs before you put in for that hunt. Ive never paid attention to this one because i don't put in for it. I'm assuming this hunt is on property that is gated year round so if you knew that a logical conclusion would be to contact the land management company for info on the hunt before you put in for it. if you didn't know it was gated then yeah this would be a crappy surprise if not mentioned in the regs.