Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Deer Hunting => Topic started by: Rdnkgirl88 on September 29, 2012, 12:44:20 PM

Title: All woods closed?
Post by: Rdnkgirl88 on September 29, 2012, 12:44:20 PM: So all the gates I have been seeing say everything is closed to walking, riding, driving, everything.

Today I went for a drive up to the Skookumchuck and there were a bunch of guys pheasant hunting, so I am confused as to what is and isn't closed.

Anyone know for sure? What about Capital Forest?

Thanks!
Title: Re: All woods closed?
Post by: DIYARCHERYJUNKIE on September 29, 2012, 12:53:32 PM: Should all be closed for awhile lots of rain is needed
Title: Re: All woods closed?
Post by: Disturbed1 on September 29, 2012, 01:14:27 PM: capital forest is open....spent 8 hours out there last weekend and never saw an animal
Title: Re: All woods closed?
Post by: gasman on September 29, 2012, 02:21:42 PM: I would venture to say that the area that was being hunted by Phesant hunters was WDFW and the surrounding gates are owned by WH.
the word is, all WH land is closed to all access.
Title: Re: All woods closed?
Post by: JakeLand on September 29, 2012, 03:04:28 PM: up in the skyvalley just private timber co. are closed that i have seen
Title: Re: All woods closed?
Post by: billythekidrock on September 29, 2012, 03:55:05 PM: For the most part, state land is still open (some state is closed) and most private timberland is closed, though some good areas on the N coast are still open.
Title: Re: All woods closed?
Post by: ORCA_SIX on September 29, 2012, 04:04:12 PM: Capitol Forest is open. I also spent some time out there last week scouting since the area around my cabin is closed. Good luck. I think with most private Timberland closed, some of the other recreational people out there will seek what is open.
Title: Re: All woods closed?
Post by: wackum on September 30, 2012, 12:42:47 PM: State land is open
Title: Re: All woods closed?
Post by: Natas5150 on October 01, 2012, 06:34:16 AM: Having this same problem in Kitsap county. Me and my hunting group were out for early muzzy and every gate we went to had the same sign. One of my partners was even told by a gas attendant that he was pretty sure Kitsap county had closed hunting because of fire danger. I posted on the muzzy forums but if anyone has any information on closures please share. I have a feeling my early hunt season may be over here in Kitsap county.
Title: Re: All woods closed?
Post by: big J on October 01, 2012, 07:02:45 AM: not sure what signs your seeing but when i was out yesterday none of the blue gates were posted.
Title: Re: All woods closed?
Post by: Rdnkgirl88 on October 01, 2012, 09:26:55 PM: Big red signs out on the skook and big hanaford.....the ones leading into Vail Tree Farm.

I am assuming since Capital Forest is state land we need one of those lovely discover passes? LOL
Title: Re: All woods closed?
Post by: runamuk on October 01, 2012, 09:31:09 PM: Quote from: Rdnkgirl88 on October 01, 2012, 09:26:55 PM
Big red signs out on the skook and big hanaford.....the ones leading into Vail Tree Farm.

I am assuming since Capital Forest is state land we need one of those lovely discover passes? LOL

yup
Title: Re: All woods closed?
Post by: bobcat on October 01, 2012, 10:06:12 PM: Gee, this might work out really well for the state. The only land left around here to hunt is DNR. I bet they're going to see a big increase in Discover pass sales in the next couple of weeks. And then for all those who elect not to purchase one, that will be another $100 to $200 to the state, depending on what they decide to cite you for.
Title: Re: All woods closed?
Post by: wackum on October 01, 2012, 10:20:14 PM: Quote from: bobcat on October 01, 2012, 10:06:12 PM
Gee, this might work out really well for the state. The only land left around here to hunt is DNR. I bet they're going to see a big increase in Discover pass sales in the next couple of weeks. And then for all those who elect not to purchase one, that will be another $100 to $200 to the state, depending on what they decide to cite you for.
:tup:
Title: Re: All woods closed?
Post by: Rdnkgirl88 on October 02, 2012, 06:44:33 AM: No lie, its crazy to spend so much money on a license, tags, special permits you never get drawn for, and now a discovery pass all for a hope to go hunting! I miss the rain!
Title: Re: All woods closed?
Post by: PolarBear on October 02, 2012, 06:49:26 AM: I heard that they shut down all state land yesterday, including Capitol forrest. :bash: So much for early muzzy elk and opening week of modern deer.
Title: Re: All woods closed?
Post by: jackmaster on October 02, 2012, 06:54:26 AM: Quote from: Rdnkgirl88 on October 02, 2012, 06:44:33 AM
No lie, its crazy to spend so much money on a license, tags, special permits you never get drawn for, and now a discovery pass all for a hope to go hunting! I miss the rain!
vail wouldnt be open during the week anyways, but i heard they just shut down stateland, can anyone cinfirm this, but they opened up hancock land, so for those of us that have a pass there might be some hope for the not so wetside to hunt opening weekend
Title: Re: All woods closed?
Post by: dreamunelk on October 02, 2012, 06:56:05 AM: DNR land is open is open.
Title: Re: All woods closed?
Post by: Wazukie on October 02, 2012, 06:57:18 AM: I cant find anywhere on the DNR website that says anything about state land being shut down. Also remember that it is only the 4 Hancock tree farms on the WEST side that are open to public access. The their land on the EAST side is still closed.
Title: Re: All woods closed?
Post by: boneaddict on October 02, 2012, 06:57:47 AM: THe website was LAST updated September 11th, so I guess it would take a phone call to get the real story. It says open on the website, but again last updated 9/11
Title: Re: All woods closed?
Post by: bobcat on October 02, 2012, 07:01:44 AM: They won't shut down state land. With it being all that is open they're going to sell a lot of Discover passes.

I don't remember DNR land ever being closed during hunting season.
Title: Re: All woods closed?
Post by: CAMPMEAT on October 02, 2012, 07:17:27 AM: Nothing is closed over here boys and girls. I guess ya 'all be coming dis away huh !
Title: Re: All woods closed?
Post by: Fl0und3rz on October 02, 2012, 07:47:40 AM: Quote from: CAMPMEAT on October 02, 2012, 07:17:27 AM
Nothing is closed over here boys and girls. I guess ya 'all be coming dis away huh !

Only so far, until I start hearing the banjos, that is.
Title: Re: All woods closed?
Post by: Caseyd on October 02, 2012, 08:00:41 AM: :chuckle:
Quote from: Fl0und3rz on October 02, 2012, 07:47:40 AM
Quote from: CAMPMEAT on October 02, 2012, 07:17:27 AM
Nothing is closed over here boys and girls. I guess ya 'all be coming dis away huh !

Only so far, until I start hearing the banjos, that is.
Title: Re: All woods closed?
Post by: Blacktail Sniper on October 02, 2012, 08:08:58 AM: Quote from: Fl0und3rz on October 02, 2012, 07:47:40 AM
Quote from: CAMPMEAT on October 02, 2012, 07:17:27 AM
Nothing is closed over here boys and girls. I guess ya 'all be coming dis away huh !

Only so far, until I start hearing the banjos, that is.

Deliverance: Dueling Banjos (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0yt9R0I3gSk#ws)
Title: Re: All woods closed?
Post by: piled-up on October 02, 2012, 08:10:25 AM: Anyone know if the northeast corner of the Margaret area open? the national volcanic area? Have a brother a friend with muzzy cow tags
Title: Re: All woods closed?
Post by: Huntbear on October 02, 2012, 08:11:56 AM: National Forest is open.... but NO OPEN FIRES OF ANY KIND from what I have heard and read.
Title: Re: All woods closed?
Post by: bobcat on October 02, 2012, 08:15:15 AM: Quote from: Huntbear on October 02, 2012, 08:11:56 AM
National Forest is open.... but NO OPEN FIRES OF ANY KIND from what I have heard and read.

And it's not just open fires, wood stoves aren't allowed either, at least on the Naches and Cle Elum Ranger Districts. I don't know about other areas as I have not checked.
Title: Re: All woods closed?
Post by: boneaddict on October 02, 2012, 08:56:24 AM: Is the whole no smoking no shooting still in effect....
Title: Re: All woods closed?
Post by: bobcat on October 02, 2012, 08:59:28 AM: Yes, but that is only for WDFW managed lands.

http://wdfw.wa.gov/news/sep1812b/ (http://wdfw.wa.gov/news/sep1812b/)
Title: Re: All woods closed?
Post by: boneaddict on October 02, 2012, 09:16:21 AM: Thank you
Title: Re: All woods closed?
Post by: TeacherMan on October 02, 2012, 09:19:20 AM: we've been getting enough rain for everyone! 2"-9" days!!! Flooding all over the place. Went out pike and duck hunting this last weekend and ran the Big Sue and Yentna and the water was 12' high!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Title: Re: All woods closed?
Post by: Gobble Doc on October 02, 2012, 01:18:02 PM: I read the WDFW lands as no smoking and no target shooting. But, hunting is OK.
Title: Re: All woods closed?
Post by: boneaddict on October 02, 2012, 04:33:10 PM: Snow is going to come down through glacier and Montana this week, but we are DRY!
Title: Re: All woods closed?
Post by: netcoyote on October 02, 2012, 04:49:23 PM: Was down at Goat Rocks over the weekend. Land is open there as well as Gifford Pinchot NF. Of course no burning except they still allow campfires in established campgrounds. Saw a bunch of uhm "foreign" looking folks running chain saws probably for firewood. Not sure that was legal but there was a lot more of them than me so I just drove past. Did not hear ANY target shooting which was a bit unusual.
I'm still planning a trip to Mt Adams wilderness in a couple weeks. Anyone know if that is still closed? It was shut down because of the fire on the south side. Smoke was really bad for a couple days but cleared up by Sunday.
Title: Re: All woods closed?
Post by: Wazukie on October 02, 2012, 05:13:57 PM: Mt. Adams Wilderness is shut down completely and will be until further notice. It's pretty much all burned up now anyway.
Title: Re: All woods closed?
Post by: unluckyjohn on October 07, 2012, 07:52:28 AM: I know that all Pope lands are closed on and around the canal and they do have patrols ( employee hunters I'm sure)
Title: Re: All woods closed?
Post by: C-Money on October 07, 2012, 08:10:11 AM: Anything open in the Colockum? I hear that 329 is the only unit open. Can anyone confirm?
Title: Re: All woods closed?
Post by: RifleRidge on October 08, 2012, 07:26:21 PM: Quote from: Rdnkgirl88 on October 02, 2012, 06:44:33 AM
No lie, its crazy to spend so much money on a license, tags, special permits you never get drawn for, and now a discovery pass all for a hope to go hunting! I miss the rain!

:(
Title: Re: All woods closed?
Post by: jackmaster on October 09, 2012, 06:55:31 AM: does anyone know if the woods&steele rd (sp) in clelum is closed by chance
Title: Re: All woods closed?
Post by: wapiti22 on October 09, 2012, 07:55:08 AM: I'm heading to the 101 area. Any news about the far northeast corner?
Title: Re: All woods closed?
Post by: dlaw on October 09, 2012, 02:28:07 PM: I am also headed up to the NE this next week, unit 101. Called the Forest Service this morning and the Oka Nat forest is open.
Title: Re: All woods closed? NO!
Post by: Jekemi on October 10, 2012, 07:56:49 AM: Fog, some drizzle, and rain forecast for Friday and Sunday will more than likely keep most public lands open for the first days of the season. I keep checking with the WDFW every morning and they have not announced any significant public land closures.
Title: Re: All woods closed?
Post by: turkeydancer on October 10, 2012, 09:30:23 AM: We called the regional WDFW office and went onto private timber compnay websites.

All private land seems to be closed to everything.

Most public land is open, but there are restrictions such as (check WDFW website for complete list):
a) No campfires.
b) Smoking only in your vehicle.
c) No use of internal combustion engines (like chain saws, generators, etc.).
d) No parking over taller grass or brush (not defined but would think if it
touches your engine, muffler, etc you'ld face a hefty fine).
e) Discover Pass required

Since we prefer not to be elbow to elbow with other hunters, nor listen to a parade of vehicles traversing all open roads, we are not going for the opener for the first time in 4-1/2 decades. May wait and go for the entire extended buck season only.

For those brave souls heading out, we wish you good luck and a safe time out there ... see you later in the season. :hello: