673 Williams Creek

[archerE]

Does anyone know about gate closures in Williams Creek? I heard about closures near Pe Ell. I hunted 673 about 4yrs ago. This year I got stuck hunting by myself. (My hunting partner drew Margaret). Hoping that I can still get in near Jorgenson Slough (with a discover pass), it is all DNR near there. I tried to call Weyerhauser security today but didn't get through. I think that I am going to make a trip down there on Sat. 

[micdude]

 This might be helpful

http://www.weyerhaeuser.com/pdfs/businesses/recreationalaccess/Pe%20Ell%20-%20Weyerhaeuser%20Recreational%20Access%20Guidelines.pdf

[hunter_sean08]

I've heard that access in the Williams Creek Unit is still pretty open. Hancock Timber bought a bunch of land, but I'm not sure if they've gated all of it. I know that they gate some of their land back in on the Nemah way up the E-Line. Weyerhaeuser is getting more stingy about camping though for sure. It's the Willapa Hills Unit that is getting more and more restricted these days. Rayonier turning those Salmon Creek and Fossil Creek parcels into permit only zones really did a number on some of the access in the area.

[slim9300]

I've heard that access in the Williams Creek Unit is still pretty open. Hancock Timber bought a bunch of land, but I'm not sure if they've gated all of it. I know that they gate some of their land back in on the Nemah way up the E-Line. Weyerhaeuser is getting more stingy about camping though for sure. It's the Willapa Hills Unit that is getting more and more restricted these days. Rayonier turning those Salmon Creek and Fossil Creek parcels into permit only zones really did a number on some of the access in the area.

From reading their website it seems that you can still bike and walk in. It never says anything about shutting down access.

[hunter_sean08]

I've heard that access in the Williams Creek Unit is still pretty open. Hancock Timber bought a bunch of land, but I'm not sure if they've gated all of it. I know that they gate some of their land back in on the Nemah way up the E-Line. Weyerhaeuser is getting more stingy about camping though for sure. It's the Willapa Hills Unit that is getting more and more restricted these days. Rayonier turning those Salmon Creek and Fossil Creek parcels into permit only zones really did a number on some of the access in the area.

From reading their website it seems that you can still bike and walk in. It never says anything about shutting down access.

If you're referring to the Rayonier land, check out this link:

http://stores.rayonierhuntingpermits.com/StoreFront.bok

As far as the Hancock and Weyerhaeuser land is concerned, you can still bike and walk in on their roads unless otherwise posted. If you're hanging around the Williams Creek area you should be perfectly fine unless you drift too far east, but there are elk all over in 673 so you should be fine.

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

I've heard that access in the Williams Creek Unit is still pretty open. Hancock Timber bought a bunch of land, but I'm not sure if they've gated all of it. I know that they gate some of their land back in on the Nemah way up the E-Line. Weyerhaeuser is getting more stingy about camping though for sure. It's the Willapa Hills Unit that is getting more and more restricted these days. Rayonier turning those Salmon Creek and Fossil Creek parcels into permit only zones really did a number on some of the access in the area.

From reading their website it seems that you can still bike and walk in. It never says anything about shutting down access.

If you're referring to the Rayonier land, check out this link:

http://stores.rayonierhuntingpermits.com/StoreFront.bok

As far as the Hancock and Weyerhaeuser land is concerned, you can still bike and walk in on their roads unless otherwise posted. If you're hanging around the Williams Creek area you should be perfectly fine unless you drift too far east, but there are elk all over in 673 so you should be fine.

on my last trip down, I saw new Hancock signs on old WH roads, makes me happy.
I would rather walk/bike in the first week, than have complete closure like WH has had in the past.
Oh, and by the way,..
NO ELK IN WILLIAMS CREEK 
They all went East..
Good luck, if you see my mini-van at a gate,  !

[slim9300]

I've heard that access in the Williams Creek Unit is still pretty open. Hancock Timber bought a bunch of land, but I'm not sure if they've gated all of it. I know that they gate some of their land back in on the Nemah way up the E-Line. Weyerhaeuser is getting more stingy about camping though for sure. It's the Willapa Hills Unit that is getting more and more restricted these days. Rayonier turning those Salmon Creek and Fossil Creek parcels into permit only zones really did a number on some of the access in the area.

From reading their website it seems that you can still bike and walk in. It never says anything about shutting down access.

If you're referring to the Rayonier land, check out this link:

http://stores.rayonierhuntingpermits.com/StoreFront.bok

As far as the Hancock and Weyerhaeuser land is concerned, you can still bike and walk in on their roads unless otherwise posted. If you're hanging around the Williams Creek area you should be perfectly fine unless you drift too far east, but there are elk all over in 673 so you should be fine.

I have been there before and read that already. Nowhere does it say that you can't walk or bike into their property. It says that they provide "greater access" and they do that by giving you a gate key and permission to be in there with your truck and to camp. Did you see anything that says you can't walk in?

[hunter_sean08]

Well that's what I thought too but some people are convinced they won't even let you walk in. A guy on this thread was pretty confident that you couldn't...


http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,81363.msg1009642.html#msg1009642

I hope this is just a misunderstanding but who knows...

[archerE]

Thanks, all good links! I am still going to make a trip down there on Sat to scope it out. Best that I can remember, it would be some hard pedaling behind most of the gates. I will let you guys know what I find out after the weekend.

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

Best that I can remember, it would be some hard pedaling behind most of the gates

The ones that start hard, sure get exciting on the way out ! 
Actually have not brought a bike in yet, myself.
But I have walked past a few stashed in the bushes, while the riders hunted on foot......

Sometimes the easyiest way back , is not the way you got to where you are.. 

[AKBowman]

I've heard that access in the Williams Creek Unit is still pretty open. Hancock Timber bought a bunch of land, but I'm not sure if they've gated all of it. I know that they gate some of their land back in on the Nemah way up the E-Line. Weyerhaeuser is getting more stingy about camping though for sure. It's the Willapa Hills Unit that is getting more and more restricted these days. Rayonier turning those Salmon Creek and Fossil Creek parcels into permit only zones really did a number on some of the access in the area.

6. No persons other than PERMITTEE shall enter on or use the Lands under this Access Permit unless such person is in the company of PERMITEE and has a fully executed Companion Access Permit, Release and Waiver of Liability Indemnity and Hold Harmless Agreement. PERMITTEE may request a Companion Access Permit by e-mailing hunting@rayonier.com, or by calling 855-729-4868.

You could be right but I sure as hell wouldnt want to walk/bike in there with all the idiots on their quads. I was near there last weekend and heard from a couple timber fallers that its already a zoo in there. Anyone who bought that permit got ripped. 

From reading their website it seems that you can still bike and walk in. It never says anything about shutting down access.

If you're referring to the Rayonier land, check out this link:

http://stores.rayonierhuntingpermits.com/StoreFront.bok

As far as the Hancock and Weyerhaeuser land is concerned, you can still bike and walk in on their roads unless otherwise posted. If you're hanging around the Williams Creek area you should be perfectly fine unless you drift too far east, but there are elk all over in 673 so you should be fine.

I have been there before and read that already. Nowhere does it say that you can't walk or bike into their property. It says that they provide "greater access" and they do that by giving you a gate key and permission to be in there with your truck and to camp. Did you see anything that says you can't walk in?

[AKBowman]

6. No persons other than PERMITTEE shall enter on or use the Lands under this Access Permit unless such person is in the company of PERMITEE and has a fully executed Companion Access Permit, Release and Waiver of Liability Indemnity and Hold Harmless Agreement. PERMITTEE may request a Companion Access Permit by e-mailing hunting@rayonier.com, or by calling 855-729-4868.


That was supposed to paste on the last post. I was near there last weekend and talked to a few of the timber fallers who have been working in there and they said it is already a damn zoo in there with all the quads and camps. Idiots are riding thier quads out of the permit area and into surrounding timber co land OUT of the permit area. Anyone who bought that permit is...well they are not going to get what they paid for. Basically its access to a spot to camp and ride your ATV, have fun.

[micdude]

6. No persons other than PERMITTEE shall enter on or use the Lands under this Access Permit unless such person is in the company of PERMITEE and has a fully executed Companion Access Permit, Release and Waiver of Liability Indemnity and Hold Harmless Agreement. PERMITTEE may request a Companion Access Permit by e-mailing hunting@rayonier.com, or by calling 855-729-4868.


That was supposed to paste on the last post. I was near there last weekend and talked to a few of the timber fallers who have been working in there and they said it is already a damn zoo in there with all the quads and camps. Idiots are riding thier quads out of the permit area and into surrounding timber co land OUT of the permit area. Anyone who bought that permit is...well they are not going to get what they paid for. Basically its access to a spot to camp and ride your ATV, have fun.

That's what you would pay to camp at a KOA or state park for a week and you cant ride your ATV or shoot an elk behind your camping spot, plus no ranger. Does that permit just cover 1 person or 2 or a group?

[hunter_sean08]

Yeah this whole thing is all messed up. I would imagine that there are going to be tons of people violating access without even having knowledge that those parcels are Rayonier permit only this year. Thanks for the info AKBowman.

[archerE]

Very interesting.