Winston Unit

[funkster]

Not that I agree 100% with the statement about age, however Washington is big and has a lot of state land that holds elk. One can drive around all day if one so chooses. My Dad is 65 and he is back behind gates 10 miles huntin' right by me!

[tbuck6568]

This is the only unit I've hunted in Washington since I've moved here. And I love it. It's been a great place to hunt with beautiful views and lots of access. Met a lot of great people too. The 1st year I hunted there I got my 4x4 bull, and it was walk in at the time. Weyerhauser's retrieval access made the trip much easier, and I think that it was awesome of them to allow that. I scouted quite a bit before last season and had made all my plans based off of walking in. I'd heard that they'd have the gates open on season weekends, so I wasn't surprised to see em open when it started. I was surprised to see em left open after that and really had to change my tactics for that. The pressure difference was outrageous last season. And yes, it was a ZOO!!! I'd get up in the area I wanted to hunt extra early and had a hard time containing my laughter watching all the trucks come up the roads before dawn. That being said, I was outta the truck all day and still came across a lot of elk. Had 2 opportunities at really nice bulls that didn't pan out, and my buddy got his 4x4. Can't say it wasn't a good season. Still, I'd rather see it left to walk/bike in only, with the option for game retrieval. I think that's a pretty fair deal for disabled hunters to have a shot at getting a bull. (I'm 20%, just gotta get up earlier and move a little slower)

[bowhuntersd]

Allot of people are making good points on both ends.
I WOULD like it to be walk/drive in for all 3 seasons. But I'm a realist and I'm not going to hold my breath. All I can say is, at least the Gun Totters get to hunt it. Archery and Muzzleloader get screwed almost every year. Either it's walk in (which I like) or it's closed all together (most years). If their are going to lock out 1 group, lock them all out, OR NONE at all. But it definitely seems that Weyco caiters to the RIFFLE SEASON.   
For Weyco to get their tax breaks they have to have the land accessable to the public for (X) amount of days. For a few years it seemed like that (#) was the only amount of days they allowed access.

[buckhorn2]

Locked gates make for better hunting and it;s better for the anilals and keeps the poachers out and all of this is good unless your in your 60s 70s and 80;s and still like to hunt. Since they made Margeret just general elk they shoud give winston to the walk in hunters and the old farts and disabeled the Margret to just ride around in and then everyone should be happy.

[funkster]

Since they made Margeret just general elk they shoud give winston to the walk in hunters

When did "they" make Margaret general?  Margaret is permit only!

Maybe we can add a poll to this thread and send a link to Wey co. If they see that the majority of hunters want it closed than maybe they will at least think twice about opening the gates up. I think it will be hard to get a" majority vote" because most of the modern rifle hunters like it open and that is a lot of votes

[mpetersen]

I'm a rifle hunter and would prefer the gates stay locked, there are still plenty of places that guys can drive around without danger of getting wet and tired.   

[madmack76]

i agree with you 100% iceman

[Yelm hunter]

Well the Winston Unit could be CLOSED TO EVERYONE!!  Do you want the gates open for people to hunt/drive in/walk/bike/ride horseback or do you just want the Unit Closed to No Hunting at all?? STOP COMPLAINING AND BE HAPPY that you actually have a place to hunt were there are Elk and Deer!! 
I was able to Kill a Cow on the 3rd day of January thanks to Weyco sending me gate code information and maps to all the gates that were open.

[Yelm hunter]

Are there a lot of gates open in the Winston for that January cow hunt?

All the gates are open for the January Hunt "IF" you are selected for the hunt. They will send you gates codes and maps for the hunt.

[JimmyHoffa]

Did you have to contact Weyco for the info or did they know to contact you from getting info from WDFW?

[ICEMAN]

   
For Weyco to get their tax breaks they have to have the land accessable to the public for (X) amount of days. For a few years it seemed like that (#) was the only amount of days they allowed access.

Never heard of this before, just dreamt about it. Can I ask where you learned of this?

[bobcat]

   
For Weyco to get their tax breaks they have to have the land accessable to the public for (X) amount of days. For a few years it seemed like that (#) was the only amount of days they allowed access.

Never heard of this before, just dreamt about it. Can I ask where you learned of this?

     It's a nice theory, too bad it's not true.

[furbearer365]

Hey hntnfsh, you are not gonna pull any heart strings here.  Like said earlier, plenty of state land to drive.  Disabled hunters can and do get permission to drive behind closed gates.  As for the kids thing goes, how young are you talking?  I have a five year old daughter and an 18 month old son and will teach them everything i you just read of mine. My kids and my hunting are my two biggest passions.  If you want to take a baby, how much do they really care about the actual kill anyway, they would enjoy a ride.  I have taken my 10 year old nephews on a couple mile hikes and they loved every second of it, and if they didnt, they would in a couple years.  The fact that locked gates makes for better hunting is not disputeable, and if you ask if i am for the animals to prosper in a major way, my answer would be yes.  You make no point and missed mine.  I will say it again, locked gates makes for better hunting and anytime i can help keep poachers away from easiliy taking my passion from me and my children i will do it.  You think i am greedy and all i think about is myself,  think again.  I WANT HUNTING TO STAY GOOD AND WANT ANIMALS AROUND FOR YEARS TO COME SO MY KIDS AND GRANDKIDS CAN ENJOY WHAT I HAVE, AND I BELIEVE LOCKING THE GATES WOULD HAVE A HUGE IMPACT ON THAT.  Open gates also make it easier for the public to trash equipment and dump garbage.  If we every loose our right to hunt weyco land it will be because of the actions of the ones trashing the place, not the ones walking in to hunt.  You need to open your eyes as to who is being the selfish and greedy one.  I want the gates locked to protect the animals, weyco property, and good hunting, and you want them open to take your dad on a drive.

[mpetersen]

RIGHT ON FURBEARER 365 !! Wish weyco would keep things as they were, the only employee who was busy was the gal answering the 1-800 number to give you the combination to the gate. I would even give that up and use a game cart if it means keeping the gates closed. Will be calling weyco soon to find out what there reasoning is behind last years change.   

[ICEMAN]

How much state land is there in the Winston?