Satsop Unit

[Black Ghost]

I took a drive around the Satsop unit yesterday.  That place must have been stripped about 25 years ago, much of the unit is thick reprod.  Every road into Green Diamond property is gated, and signed.  Yet almost every gate has a quad trail around it.  Kinda discouraging for a fellow who wants to hoof it or bike in.  My motivation to learn the unit, was because I put my son in for the youth permit.  We looked over much of the eastern 3/4 of the unit. There was several gates left open, but there were signs posted by Green Diamond "no motorized access.  At one particular gate (bulb farm), there were 3 pickups coming out with firewood.  Anyone have any recommendations for areas that have been recently cut or cleared.  If anyone has pictures of bucks from the unit, post em up.  The boy probably won't get drawn, but thought we would just have a fun day out.  It was a good time, but didn't feel real productive.  Looks like I should get some horses, and go trail riding

[PacificNWhunter]

I have not been down there hunting in 4-5 years. Used to hunt out that way quite a bit on the C-line. It was 5-8 years old then so I can only imagine what it looks like now. There should still be some good stands of timber out that way unless they cut it all down. Good luck.

[1morebuck]

What? There are no deer in that unit! But if a youth hunter were to want to knock one down, there might be some good area near a lake with lots of stumps in it.

[PolarBear]

What? There are no deer in that unit! But if a youth hunter were to want to knock one down, there might be some good area near a lake with lots of stumps in it.

LOL! And some good fish in that lake with "lots of stumps" in it.  You will have a better shot in that area if you get a little off of the roads find a spot and just sit and wait.  Seen a lot of big bucks in that area over the years.

[billythekidrock]

Chris - The Summit lake area was recently shut down to quads for the average joe but the brush pickers are still allowed to ride in if they have a permit. In the past the signs said "no motorized cars or trucks" but last year they were changed to "motorized vehicles" and the area is patrolled heavily by F&W, Sheriff and DNR.

DNR says it is not in some sort of management plan so they don't want quads in there  , but I also know that at least a few DNR employees live and hunt in the Summit lake area, including the head of enforcement.

There are still a lot of deer in there, including some whopper bucks.

[Sneaky]

There are a lot of hunters anywhere they can get their rigs, but there are also a lot of deer. I would try scouting as much as possible and finding travel routes from big timber to clearcuts, then waiting for the deer to move. Trying to spot/stalk is hard in that country because much of it is so flat and thick.

[runamuk]

Dont be fooled by the green diamond gates almost all are thrown wide open for deer season  and there are truckloads of pumpkins on all of them..... yes I spent last summer scouting behind some gates and was rather disappointed come pumpkin season....I will stick with my spot further away but not open to vehicles and not on any maps either.....at least not any ordinary maps

[kramman]

dont go fishing at that lake w/ the stumps and if you do; do not use olive or black wolly buggers trolled SLOW no fish waste of time. I bought some property down there about 5 miles from said lake.We hunted down there last year at late muzzle took 2 deer nothing big but very tastee.If your son gets drawn I can  put you into some areas.Not all the gates are opened during the season.This unit gets hammered during general season.Goodluck w/ the draw

[Black Ghost]

Thanx guys, I didn't know their was a piece of ground as flat as this one.  Pretty hard to get a bearing when you can't see any form of elevation in most directions  I appreciate the offer Kramman, it is probably a long shot for the boy.  But I appreciate all you guys for throwing me a bone.
 
Runamuk, thanx for that tip.  Kinda sucks when you scout your arse off and then find every tom, dick, and harry in their in pickups!  Well that wasn't too far off from this weekend.

BTKR, glad to hear there is some kinda enforcement.  Might have to get me a brush picking permit    I would prefer they keep the unit locked.  

I guess I need to start looking at the bodies of water, and less at the trees.  Stumpy water hey.... good thing I won't have to try wooly buggers.... save me some time there.  

thanx again guys!