Skookumchuck Unit info request

[3boys]

My son scored the Skookumchuck any deer tag. I never really considered if the gate to the Vail tree farm would be open Oct 4 and 5. Does anybody have this info? If the gate is closed what is the next best option to bag a deer a week early. I am not opposed to taking a long bike ride in to the unit but are there better options for a youth to score his first deer? I am hoping for a buck but will certainly go for meat in the freezer if we run out of time. I have hunted the Vail during the normal season and it can get pretty crazy in there. We have always seen plenty of does and a few bucks. The youth hunt only has 60 tags for the weekend  of Oct 4-5 so pressure should be light. Any info would be appreciated.

[Coasthunterjay]

walk in and sit........you'll see something....you could try the power lines also....good frequenting grounds.

[280ackley]

I could be wrong but I believe they open the main camp gate for the youth hunt.

[Coasthunterjay]

talk to one of the security guards down there sometime your out scouting and ask them....they might know better than us!

[3boys]

Thanks for the quick replies. I have called the Vail phone number listed and left a message. I will definitely head down there to do some scouting and get the lay of the land down in case of the gate being closed.

[Antlershed]

The gate should be open that weekend (it has been in the past), but now they only allow trucks with permit holders through the gate (you have to show your permit to get in).

[bobcat]

Skookumchuck is a huge unit. You don't necessarily have to hunt on Weyerhaeuser's Vail Tree Farm. Check out the area down in the south and east part of the unit that is National Forest and probably some state land mixed in there as well. Anywhere from Elbe south to Morton, then west to Onalaska. There should be some roads open that you can drive in, or even walk in, but you shouldn't have to walk far to get into deer.

[3boys]

The gate should be open that weekend (it has been in the past), but now they only allow trucks with permit holders through the gate (you have to show your permit to get in).

Are you talking about the Deer tag or a Weyerhauser access permit that you purchase for certain areas like Grass Mountain?

[Antlershed]

The gate should be open that weekend (it has been in the past), but now they only allow trucks with permit holders through the gate (you have to show your permit to get in).

Are you talking about the Deer tag or a Weyerhauser access permit that you purchase for certain areas like Grass Mountain?

Sorry, I meant the actualy permit card that WDFW will mail you saying your son got the permit and the one he has to have on him while hunting. You must show that to get into the gate.

[GEARHEAD]

ya can head on down to the town of rainier, turn down johnson creek road to the scookumchuck hatchery, and on the way down to the hatchery, you will see lots of access roads left and right. most gated, but ya can walk in.tons of deer. like stated, find a spot, sit and wait. good luck.

[257 Wby Mag]

They'll have the main gate open on the weekend. I put a lady freind at works little boy in, his dad passed away when he was a year old. He got drawn, think he's 10, the pard and I might see ya in there. Makes for a quailty experience for the littleuns, before all the donkey's enter the tree farm.. Good luck to your boy...

[jstamp]

you can call the hotline (1 866 636 6531) as the date gets closer, they put information on the message about access points and gates that will be open for the youth hunt. the information was on there last year anyway.