Rayonier Fossil Creek / Salmon Creek Access Permits

[AKBowman]

Anyone know for sure if they are selling them again this year?

I spoke to a couple guys I ran into in the late season last year that said it was a ZOO in there. Said they probably had more timber damage due to people driving ATV's off trail than they made from the permits. Good news for Rayonier was that with all the permit holders in there driving all over the place with vehicles and ATV's it drove a lot of the elk off their land.

I would never buy one just curious if they are selling them again this year?

[shadowless_nite]

I was wondering the same thing, sent them a email a few months back and they said they didnt have a date for realease, nor did they give me a clear response.... this is all I got...

"Hello,
We don't have any details finalized yet.  We are hoping to roll this program out this summer. " recieved 3/9/12

Im hoping they were just talking out of their arse in march and maybe they will return this area back to the same way with gates closed during early archery so I can blow the dust off my bike again. I emailed them on the 9th and have yet to receive a response. maybe ill give them a call and see

[BowBender87]

I have sent emails and called multiple times and i get the same run around response as well  when you say it was a zoo are you refering to modern or was archery a zoo too?

[meathacker]

I hunt modern down there.  i though last year was far from a zoo.  there were way less people then normal.  i think that with alder creek shut down it keeps the guys from raymond from driving in. If you know your way around. there is still alot of area to hunt and not be on Rayonier land.  they had security at the gates to make sure people didnt walk/bike in.  I wouldnt pay for the permit unless it was real cheap.  which i dont think it will be

[BowBender87]

they werent allowing walk in hunting? since when and at which gates were they enforcing this

[meathacker]

they werent allowing walk in hunting? since when and at which gates were they enforcing this

nope not unless you had a rayoneir Permit.  Last year was the first year.  It was also a new gate.  I believe it was on the 5800 if my memory serves me right.  we have nicknames for everything so we never use the real road names that everyone else will know over the radio.

[BowBender87]

wierd...not sure where the 5800 is i havent spent a whole lot of time in the fossil creek area...but i did go down a couple weeks ago and biked in about 6 miles..the signs at the gates just said no vehicle access with out permit...walk in was still allowed..and that was on rayonier

[meathacker]

Maybe they changed it or maybe its because it the off season

[AKBowman]

The application Section for the permit clearly states that it's an access permit AND it allows you vehicle access and camping access. Yes I heard from multiple people archery was a zoo and modern was worse. It sounds like you did not have the access permit this thread is specific to te Fossil/Salmon creek areas that Rayonier made access permit only last yr not the surrounding areas.
The guards for the surrounding timber co's were pissed b/c they had to up their patrol work load and were even talking about adding new gates on the inner boundaries. ATV's everywhere is the info I received.

[AKBowman]

wierd...not sure where the 5800 is i havent spent a whole lot of time in the fossil creek area...but i did go down a couple weeks ago and biked in about 6 miles..the signs at the gates just said no vehicle access with out permit...walk in was still allowed..and that was on rayonier

Yeah that was the same last yr this time of yr then they had a sign up just before season, also a guard at the gate checking access permits.

[BowBender87]

thats good to know..wont waste my time scouting it unless i pick up a permit. if they even sell em this year

[blackveltbowhunter]

   AK.... I heard similar stories as you. Especially regarding the straying vehicles onto surrounding timberlands. I have firsthand knowledge of this    Not a rumor I spoke to a JA that had drove all the way through. And was way outside his permitted area. 

    As far as this year goes, we can hope for the best. But Im thinking it will be the same as last year. Look for timber co to continue profiting off public resources.

   

[grundy53]

   AK.... I heard similar stories as you. Especially regarding the straying vehicles onto surrounding timberlands. I have firsthand knowledge of this    Not a rumor I spoke to a JA that had drove all the way through. And was way outside his permitted area. 

    As far as this year goes, we can hope for the best. But Im thinking it will be the same as last year. Look for timber co to continue profiting off public resources.

   

They are profiting off THEIR resources. It's private land. They can control access however they want. It sucks but it's their right.

[AKBowman]

The elk are public resources

[grundy53]

The elk are public resources

they are not selling elk.