Winston Unit

[Kanooper]

So I will be bow hunting for elk on the west side this year and was curious about the Winston Unit.  I will be heading to the unit to do some pre-season scouting, but was curious about access.  Are most of the roads gated where a mountain bike would be best to get access certain areas.  Never been in the unit and was just looking for some general info before I head down to go scouting.

Thanks

[DeKuma]

I will be spending some of my time bowhunting elk there as well.  I have rifle hunted it in the past and saw very few roads that were totally closed, but it has been about 10 years since I have been back there.

[skinzner]

From my experience last year all gates are closed during bow season, i think they open a few during rifle season. A mountain bike sure is nice  i would take one if i were you. Be prepared to be hunting with half the state of washington, just kidding but there are lots of hunters in there.

[spin05]

I went there for late archery last year.Alot were gated.Went in by kid valley i believe.They close all gates at dark and your not suppose to camp.I saw 5 guys the 1st night get stuck behind the gates after they locked them.Needless to say they were pissed....

[KillBilly]

My experience is that all of the DNR land in the winston is open. The only gates we wever found locked are the gates where DNR and Weyerhaueser meet. Weyer. is private land and they are the ones locking gates. It is always a good rule to never drive behind any gate you don't have a key for. One should check with Weyer. to see if it ok to bike or walk or hunt on their property.

[robodad]

Be prepared to be hunting with half the state of washington

Had a ML cow tag in there last year and slept in the truck just outside the kid valley gate and counted 67 rigs pulling into there before light, the first day all we seen were bulls x5 and the second day we missed a couple cows and then we left cause there were too many other hunters and it was during late archery season and I just didn't feel right about hunting with a bunch of archery hunters with a ML.  

[bucklucky]

Early archery might be tough, you will have to walk or bike in on weyerhauser land . Come rifle season the gates are open for day use only, but can camp on the state land before the gate on the 1900 . As for early archery hunting, have a second and third area scouted out that isnt weyerhauser cause more than likely it will be closed due to extreme fire danger. So dont plan on hunting it early unless we get some really good rain. Find some state land to hunt also. there are a few spots around just have to do some research.

[workstohunt]

Lots of access and lots of hunters. Been hunting the unit for 35 years. If you need some info PM me

[bucklucky]

Early archery has alot of hunters walking in behind the gates?? From what I have seen late archery gets pounded since the gates are open but early ? Arent the gates shut?

[Bigshooter]

Early archery has alot of hunters walking in behind the gates?? From what I have seen late archery gets pounded since the gates are open but early ? Arent the gates shut?

The part of the winston creek unit that I hunt all the weyerhauser gates are closed year round. 

[popeshawnpaul]

I have hunted it twice during late season.  I found a few good areas a few miles back that didn't have hunters.  I also found elk every day.  I may hunt it again this year...

[billythekidrock]

Early archery has alot of hunters walking in behind the gates??

Yea, some parts are loaded with bike riders now.

[MADMAX]

Lots of guys, lots of elk.
It can get crazy down there

[jstamp]

Lots of guys, lots of elk.
It can get crazy down there

what he said!! be prepared to see lots and lots of people

[Jackjr]

All I can say is lots of people.