White River Rifle tag for Elk

[cem3434]

So I got drawn for this tag and I called Hancock today to buy a vehicle permit since 90 percent of the unit is on their land, but they are all sold out for the year.  Anybody got any information on where to hunt in this unit that I can access with just my two feet or a mountain bike? I would hate to just throw the permit in the garbage and hunt in the Winston unit like usual.

[Elkpiss]

  Thats a *censored* tag... Get some maps around MT Rainer the White River Unit boundries the Park.. I would love to have that tag!

[toe-jam]

pm sent.

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

Clearwater Wilderness, FS road #74 West fork and all the way in.....

[cem3434]

We were in a party, so we all got drawn for unit and we also got drawn for anterless permits in Winston as well. We will probably hunt the first week in the White River unit and the last couple days for cows if we haven't filled all of our tags. I like the new system, but I am kind of irritated that I couldn't draw an elk permit for 9 years and now I got two the same year.  I guess its a good problem to have.

[link]

Are you sure that the white river permits were sold out? I know the Kapowsin permits always sell out early, but not the white river side. My dad drew the permit two years ago, hunted all over without seeing a nice bull, then the last couple of days, bought the hancock permit and killed a decent 300" bull.

[toe-jam]

Are you sure that the white river permits were sold out? I know the Kapowsin permits always sell out early, but not the white river side. My dad drew the permit two years ago, hunted all over without seeing a nice bull, then the last couple of days, bought the hancock permit and killed a decent 300" bull.

they are all sold out .

[cem3434]

I called the only Hancock Timber number I could find, which is 360-879-4200.  I think this is at Camp 1, but I explained where I wanted a permit for and she said they were sold out for the year.  I know that Weyerhauser still controlled this are 2 years ago, so maybe thats why he was able to get a permit later.  Anyways, did he have any luck?

[cem3434]

Does anybody know if the the permits transferable or if more come available later in the year?

[MooseStock]

Weyerhaeuser hasn't had control of that land for 8 years...I know because I worked for them when Hancock bought the land and it ended my job. The permits are all sold out for the year....there is a max of 500 and they have been sold out since something like February and they won't add any more. The Muckleshoot tribe will be hitting it hard anyway as they pretty much have a free roll on the treefarm from Sept-Jan. There are still lots of areas to hunt and you will want to get away from the roads anyway as the tribe hits them all hard. The West Fork and Huckleberry creek can be pretty good if there is some snow. Hope that helps....Good Luck.............Les

[cem3434]

I know that during spring bear they sold special passes for the bear season only to guys that had drawn a tag because the permits where already sold out.  WDFW gave them a list of hunters that had drawn the tag and if you were on the list, you could buy like a month month pass for like $100.
Does anyone know if they do the same for elk hunters? If not, shouldnt the WDFW list that access to this area is limited by the time they complete the draw?

[MooseStock]

This might seem strange but the HANCOCK holdings have different rules. White River and Snoq were owned by Weyerhaeuser and they use the same rules as when Weyco was the owner. Kapowsin was owned by Champion and it is different. You can walk, mt bike or horseback into WR or Snoq but Kapowsin is NO access without a permit. Motorized access is by permit only for all three treefarms and each has a seperate permit. They let them have that special 100$ for the spring bear but they do not do that at WR or Snoq because you can access either of those properties. Also, there is a great amount of the White River area not behind the Hancock gates that is Forest Service land so there is no reason for WDFW to list limited access................Les

[halflife65]

PM sent

[Falcon]

I live in the Claw.

Back in 89, the tribes took over, and the elk went down hill pretty quick.

That was then, this is now.

The last few years, there has been more logging, and the elk are making a decent comeback. There are plenty of places to hunt.

The tribal boys don't get out of the trucks very often, leaving a guy who will put in some effort a decent shot at a bull. I remember guys telling me how bad the early Matheny hunt would be due to tribal pressure. All I can say is I got into elk bigtime, but it was all off the roaded system.

Go behind gated roads such as Westfork, Huckleberry, and Buck Creek if it snows.

Get busy, and get rrrrrrrrr done!

[link]

There's always elk, and always a couple of good bulls up at Crystal Mountain.

[gutsnthegrass]

Like Link said, try up around Crystal mt.  Corral pass area has some elk too, early snows might limit access though.  Good luck this can be a great tag if you put your time in and get behind some gates.

[WonkyWapiti]

The Snoqualmie Hancock property sold out their permits in record time this year, I missed out thinking I had plenty of time. 

[cem3434]

So after doing some research, it looks like the Mucks hit this area hard during the rut and then they leave it alone after the bulls stop talking.  Has anyone that had this tag in the past actually seen the indians up there hunting as late as the rifle season because it seems like they should be pretty calm by then.

[G.R.K]

The Mucks only hit it hard during the rut    I guess you need to spend a little time up there. 

[Falcon]

Do yourself a favor and stay off road 72, or better know as Dalles Ridge.

I ran into a tribal elk camp right in the middle of the road while trying to cut a Christmas tree.

All I can say is there was ALOT of blood.

[MooseStock]

The Mucks hit the entire White River area hard from August to January......they don't back off after the rut. Your best chance without a permit is to look at the Huckleberry, Suntop, West Fork and Haller pass areas especially if there is any snow and the Park elk come out. The West Fork could be good and it will be a walk in area and the tribes don't do any walking so that might be a good place to start. Hope that helps..................Les

[bigtex]

That is the one problem with this hunt, most of the land is private (Hancock). Every year more and more people are buying Hancock permits for all three tree farms (White River, Snoqualmie Kapowsin), up until a couple years ago only Kapowsin would sell out however now they all do. I hunt the Snoqualmie and every year come deer season they would still have permits available, went to get mine last May and they were sold out. So I made sure to get mine a week after they went on sale this year. Luckily most of the other land in White River is USFS, rarely when I am on 410 up in Greenwater do I not see an elk. But as many others have said, the Muckleshoots RAPE this area every year, in fact Hancock gives them a huge discount on their pass as well. White River is one of the few units in the state where the tribal deer and elk harvest out number the general citizen harvest, and it was the same when White River was open to all citizens... Good Luck!

[bigtex]

So after doing some research, it looks like the Mucks hit this area hard during the rut and then they leave it alone after the bulls stop talking.  Has anyone that had this tag in the past actually seen the indians up there hunting as late as the rifle season because it seems like they should be pretty calm by then.

Believe me they are up there year round doing "ceremonial hunts" just ask the local WDFW Officers. During hunting season I see Muckleshoot rigs up there all the time, no matter what month it is. I believe there are six tribes that hunt the area, Muckleshoots hunt it the most.

[bigtex]

The West Fork could be good and it will be a walk in area and the tribes don't do any walking so that might be a good place to start. Hope that helps..................Les

I agree, the West Fork road was washed out about four years ago in the big floods and the USFS still hasn't rebuilt it and I don't know if they have plans/funds to do so. The farther you get away from the road the better you will be because as Les said, the tribes basically just road hunt.

[bigtex]

I know that during spring bear they sold special passes for the bear season only to guys that had drawn a tag because the permits where already sold out.  WDFW gave them a list of hunters that had drawn the tag and if you were on the list, you could buy like a month month pass for like $100.
Does anyone know if they do the same for elk hunters? If not, shouldnt the WDFW list that access to this area is limited by the time they complete the draw?

Well a reason why they sell those $100 permits is because you are basically doing Hancock a favor by killing a bear. The only reason there is a spring bear hunt in Kapowsin is because Hancock complains about bears killing their trees. The access permit issue is one reason why people really need to research their permit choices before they turn them in.

[slinger]

I also drew this tag. I have never been to the area but sounds like its got some potential. Are there some big boys in that unit?

[toe-jam]

O ya seen some big boys last week ,when i was up there  scouting last week ,but there is a lot of cow and calfs . i was hoping to draw that unit for archery.

[ihunt]

My dad drew the elk tag last year Hancock well sell permits to tag holders i think it was around 1st Oct when they were available he shot a nice 5x5

[royalbull]

P.M. sent

[BENCHLEG]

any-one have the archery tag. that is where the fun is at. good luck to all

[link]

I was hoping to draw the muzzleloader tag. I was kind of surprised to see that it was only a "bull" hunt.

[norsepete]

Last year my brother inlaw and his group took 4 bulls by buck creek. The snow had them coming out of the park. Nobody held out for a big one. 3 raghorns and  a 5x6 all close to the road

[Ccamp1978]

Good friend of mine drew the archery tag this year. Pretty jacked about it!

[cem3434]

So my better half called Hancock to see if they would sell us a temp permit for just hunting season and amazingly enough, more permits are now available.  If anyone else drew this tag, I would jump on the phone and swoop up a permit if you plan on hunting in Hancock.

[bigtex]

So my better half called Hancock to see if they would sell us a temp permit for just hunting season and amazingly enough, more permits are now available.  If anyone else drew this tag, I would jump on the phone and swoop up a permit if you plan on hunting in Hancock.

Thats great news for you guys. Not only are a lot of the elk on Hancock land but it literally does cut down on the amount of people in the area/competition. I have a hancock permit and I rarely see more then three people per day, no matter if it's opening day of deer or just a summer day. They really are great deals if you can afford them.

[Quadcrazy]

I got drawn for this unit also. Let me know if you want to do some scouting together.

Who did you contact to get your Hancock land access permit. I'm trying to get mine also.

[monster10]

So I got drawn for this tag and I called Hancock today to buy a vehicle permit since 90 percent of the unit is on their land, but they are all sold out for the year.  Anybody got any information on where to hunt in this unit that I can access with just my two feet or a mountain bike? I would hate to just throw the permit in the garbage and hunt in the Winston unit like usual.

Ive hunted here for years.You dont need to go in very far.I also have 3 friends that are logging in there now.(lots of info)GO UP 410 TO THE 2ED ACCESS GATE ON THE RIGHT.FALLOW ROAD TO THE LEFT AND OVER THE BRIDGE, PARK,WALK ALONG THE RIVER TWARD GREENWATER,I was up there today and saw a 290-310 6x6.@645am @330pm hes in the same spot.I saw him last sat&sun less than 100yrds from where he is today.My buddies told me about him(they see him almost every day.When Im deer hunting I see alot of elk in the PM(only)on the 7028=4 &7028=5 roads and also the creek drainages of the 7033 road hold alot of elk.the 7000 line in the Am has many small herds of 6-12 but I dont see alot of bulls (might change in sept)I hope this helps you.Good Luck....Greg

[halflife65]

Uh...you might change that to a PM.  It's up to you.  Great info, though.

[trophyhunt]

The mucks will kill that bull long before you get in there. I grew up hunting in the white and it makes me sick to see how much killing those indians are doing in there, you could get lucky off the road but there is a lot of beautiful back country in this unit that you wont see the damn indians in. Take away the indian kills and leave it permit only and this would be the 2ND best elk area on the west side, first being the watershed.

[link]

I would guess any bull that you see consistently near the road will not last through august or september.