Motorized Access to St. Helens tree farm

[rawhide67]

We are planning a backpack trip into the tree farm but camping on public land and was wondering if anyone had any news of poss motorized access?  I saw on the wdfw website that they were looking for volunteers to help facilitate the opening of some of the gates to vehicles holding "special permits."   I have made many phone calls but cannot get a straight answer from anyone.  Our group all hold western archery tags but no special permits and have put a lot of time and effort into planning this years hunt.  We dont want to pack all the way in there to find vehicles driving around.  If they are going to open the gates that would obviously drastically change our plans.  A little heads up would be nice so we could plan ahead.  Any help would be great.  Thanks

[grousetracker]

there will be vehicles in there but it wont be open, there will be gate left open or someone will have a key and go in.

[firedog]

Haven't seen the gates open in the Southern part of the tree farm during archery season in years. I hope they leave them closed like normal and with as dry as it has been I will just be glad if they don't close it up entirely. Seems like every year we end up with a fire clousure right around opening day. Been cool all year and the past two weeks of hot and dry has really changed things, lots of real tall grass and brush this year.  One week to go and time to start chasing elk!!!

[Black Ghost]

The information you got was about the Toutle and Margaret units, and opening gates for those special permit holders (doubt it happens).  Not talking about Winston, or  Coweeman.  like other guys said, always someone with a key or a gate that wasn't locked. 

[longbow11b1p]

I received a letter from wdfw because I drew a tag in that area,it said unlike previous years most gates would be left locked. I'm glad I'm in good shape because it looks like I'll be humping a s..t load of miles just like the good old days.

[letmhunt]

No gates will be open, and no camping in tree farm, they never open it for vehicle access during archery. i dont hunt there anymore so have fun with all the hunters!

[Yelm hunter]

I hold one of those "special permits" It's for a antlerless Modern January 1st - 16th... There will be gates open if there are volunteers. I went to the meeting last Wednesday. And more than likely all gates in Winston will be open this year except for the lower 100 gate according to the meeting... Which is good cause I'll be in and out with my cowtag in 5 mins. Anyways.... Good Luck to ALL you Archery hunters and everyone else.