White River Hancock Permit Worth It?

[hntr]

Hello all,

I am new to the forum, and have enjoyed lurking for some time.

I am considering a purchase of a White River Hancock Permit, but wonder if it is worth the money, time or effort to hunt in that area for deer ( or elk, or...).       

Any advice would be welcome.

Thanks

[arrowflinger]

I'm pretty sure that the permits are all sold. they go fast. I also believe that you can't hunt elk in there unless you get drawn. Hope some with more experience chimes in.

[cem3434]

No.......lots of elk, but very few deer. I also believe they are all sold out as well.

[bigtex]

I am considering a purchase of a White River Hancock Permit, but wonder if it is worth the money, time or effort to hunt in that area for deer ( or elk, or...).

Well you are out of luck for this year. I believe they sold out in mid February or early March. They usually start selling around December 1. For the White River Farm there is a small portion of GMU 454 which is open for elk, but the majority of the farm is the White River GMU which is permit only. As far as deer goes I would probably pass on the permit if that's all your going for. There is usually a pretty healthy bear population in there though.

I see you are in Renton. If I were you I would go for the Snoqualmie Tree Farm permit (also Hancock and the same cost as White River) near North Bend. Very healthy deer and bear population and the elk numbers are on the upswing in the area and you can hunt all three species during the general season.

[cjensen]

Can you walk or bike into Hancock within 454 without the permit?  I know some areas you can and some you cant? 

[link]

I thought if you had drawn a permit, they would sell you one for the elk season, even if they were sold out.

[cjensen]

I think that in the white river unit you can walk into their property without a permit, but not sure about 454???  I know you cannot do this with the Kapowasin permit. 

[bigtex]

You can walk into the White River (off of 410) and Snoqualmie (near North Bend) Tree Farms without a permit. It doesn't matter what GMU you are in.

[sirmissalot]

Where are you guys hearing they are sold out? If so it happened in the last few days. I know someone that bought one at Work sports on Saturday.

The area gets a lot of pressure and not really a lot of animals. I am not a local but a good friend of mine is, he says the Mucks kill a lot and lots of locals shining deer and elk up there... I wouldn't walk in, there will be a bunch of guys driving around which to me would be a frustrating experience.

[notellumcreek]

as far as ive heard there is stil WR permits available, personally 250 dollars for a year of access and 5 cords of wood is worth it for me  all of the WR hancock is walkable/bikeable.

[7mag.]

White River Tree Farm is not sold out. Deer hunting is not good and elk is draw only. There is a small portion in the GMU 454 on that tree farm that is open for elk hunting, but there is lots of pressure and not many elk. You can walk, bike, and ride horses into the White River Tree Farm without a permit, but vehicles require permits. They sell at Work Sports and More in Enumclaw for $225.

[hawksfan75]

Despite my best efforts, I have yet to find a website with any information about these permits. Do you guys have any that they send out with the permits? In the absence of a website, is there somewhere I can pick up some brochures or other information?

[bigtex]

Despite my best efforts, I have yet to find a website with any information about these permits. Do you guys have any that they send out with the permits? In the absence of a website, is there somewhere I can pick up some brochures or other information?

There is no website.

If you go to Work Sports in Enumclaw they will have a brochure. You can also have them mailed to you 1-800-782-1493 and leave a message telling them which tree farm info you want.

[rjn cajun]

Fella`s are right there are still permits availible and from the sounds of it there not going to this year. They added a bunch and the hunting seems to get worse in my opinion. For deer. Certain area for elk which is the left side of the main line or the west side. But it`s also the power lines. Took awhile to figure it out. I hunt the east side of the state but in years I`ve opted for the permit and hunted the west, The permit is great for wood. I buy one if I don`t kill on the east and hunt late buck up there. Get a spork or a button every other year but that`s about all I see up there. On some occassions cutting wood I`ve seen nice 3 and 4x`s. The natives are more plentiful every year in there and starting to run it in to the ground but that`s a hole other topic. Good Luck

[sako85]

You can call hancock from the phone book(orting office)