White River Quality Elk

[BowBender87]

My buddy drew a white river quality elk archery tag.  It's his first year archery hunting so ill be taggin along doin the calling. Any information anyone would like to share would be awesome.  Access points, good areas, pictures, anything would be great! Thanks

[Skyvalhunter]

If you go up into the corner and do a search you will find some information. There has been a few posts on here already reguarding that subject.

[BowBender87]

awesome thanks

[Tbar]

The other thing you should do is contact hancock and see if they will give you a temp pass. That is a huge unit but alot of it is gated industrial timberlands.

[BowBender87]

would the temp pass allow me to drive in and scout before season? I guess ive never really heard of a temp pass what all can you do with it?  I couldnt find alot of information by doing the search on here or anywhere else for that matter.

[Tbar]

I don't know about the pass, I think it's just for the season. There is some awesome camping up there (not hancock) and your tag is a perfect excuse to enjoy it and scout. Bring a spotting scope and you can scout clearcuts from the 72 but thats literally the tip of the iceberg. There is lakes you can hike to, so much natural beauty to enjoy and scout. You will know when it gets elky, their trails are throughout the area take notes and carry a gps. I am not selected so maybe next time for me lol.

[cem3434]

would the temp pass allow me to drive in and scout before season? I guess ive never really heard of a temp pass what all can you do with it?  I couldnt find alot of information by doing the search on here or anywhere else for that matter.

They will sell one to your buddy, but not you because you didnt draw and they already sold out all of their yearly passes. If your buddy does buy one, you cant be in the vehicle with him on their property otherwise they will take his permit if they catch you guys together.  I think it cost $275 for the White River Tree Farm pass, but I wouldnt waste your money. 

We had bull permits in White River last year and we had a pass, but you can get to most of the good spots on Hancock's land by just riding a mountain bike. There is also a ton of FS and DNR land that hold a lot of elk.

PM me with your number and I will give you some advice.

[7mag.]

would the temp pass allow me to drive in and scout before season? I guess ive never really heard of a temp pass what all can you do with it?  I couldnt find alot of information by doing the search on here or anywhere else for that matter.

They will sell one to your buddy, but not you because you didnt draw and they already sold out all of their yearly passes. If your buddy does buy one, you cant be in the vehicle with him on their property otherwise they will take his permit if they catch you guys together.  I think it cost $275 for the White River Tree Farm pass, but I wouldnt waste your money. 

We had bull permits in White River last year and we had a pass, but you can get to most of the good spots on Hancock's land by just riding a mountain bike. There is also a ton of FS and DNR land that hold a lot of elk.

PM me with your number and I will give you some advice.

They are not sold out, they have over 250 left. I just bought one today. The cost is $225.00. There is a lot of country in that unit that is not private, so if money is an issue, a pass for the tree farm is not the only way to go.

[BowBender87]

well it sounds like it should be an exciting hunt for sure.  I checked out the Hancock website but didnt see where my buddy would be able to purchase a pass.  Money is def not an issue, we're going to do this right and do what we have to in order to bag a good bull.  So 7mag you think you can point me in the direction on to how my buddy can pick up one of these passes?  If anyone has some pictures of a White River bull id love to see it.

[pope]

You've drawn a GREAT tag. My gosh, that GMU  is just crawling with elk. I see elk almost every scouting trip ..... in fact, we saw a herd tonight.

[bigtex]

well it sounds like it should be an exciting hunt for sure.  I checked out the Hancock website but didnt see where my buddy would be able to purchase a pass.  Money is def not an issue, we're going to do this right and do what we have to in order to bag a good bull.  So 7mag you think you can point me in the direction on to how my buddy can pick up one of these passes?  If anyone has some pictures of a White River bull id love to see it.

There is no info about Hancock passes on their website. You purchase the pass at Work Sports in Enumclaw. Here is the recreational access info phone number for Hancock: 1-800-782-1493.

[BowBender87]

well it sounds like it should be an exciting hunt for sure.  I checked out the Hancock website but didnt see where my buddy would be able to purchase a pass.  Money is def not an issue, we're going to do this right and do what we have to in order to bag a good bull.  So 7mag you think you can point me in the direction on to how my buddy can pick up one of these passes?  If anyone has some pictures of a White River bull id love to see it.

There is no info about Hancock passes on their website. You purchase the pass at Work Sports in Enumclaw. Here is the recreational access info phone number for Hancock: 1-800-782-1493.

Thanks alot man.  Thats good to know.  Does Work Sports carry maps for that area as well?

[trophyhunt]

the maps come with the permit.

[MooseStock]

You must remember to tell your buddy that whomever goes with him (unless they are an immediate family child under 19 or his wife) must also buy the permit for $225. It is a patroled area with both security, game wardens and possibly county sheriffs that will pull your permit and/or write you for tresspass if you try to "Play dumb" and bring someone without a permit. There is as was said previously,lots of area in the White River unit that is not on the Hancock Tree Farm and holds Elk or you can walk or mt.bike into the treefarm for free. There ARE alot of Elk on the treefarm and you can see them because it has been so heavily logged in the last 9 years. You can go scout now and see a ton.....but here comes the BIG But....you will see lots of them on your hunt but if its a rifle hunt the tribe will have taken most of the bulls by that time. They "Pound" that area. Bow hunters do have a better chance but the same time you are hunting the Muckleshoots will be all over the area road hunting morning and evening and have them pretty spooky. You will see Elk and there will be some Bulls but it won't be pick and choose hunting.............Les

[bentley30-06]

The White River Unit should not be a quality elk hunt...the tribes dominate all of it and have access to it year round.  Before it was a draw hunt, we were archery hunting in there and two indians laid out four elk with rifles and we were stuck with our bows.  I have still had success around that area though because they do not want to get out of there trucks and glass.  There is a lot of land that is accessable through the hancock land, but I wouldnt waste your money on it.  Your just as likely to get a nice bull if you go up 72 road.  Hit the timber and the 15-20 ft tall noble fir patches.  The strong scent of those noble firs cover your stench up well and the elk up there tend to rut hard in those trees at about that age.  Get up there and try to locate a bull before light and start your stock.  Find wallows in the hidden timber and stick to them if they are being using in the heat of september.  These are pictures of what I found up there and the bull i got archery.  They are up there....there just taught to hide.