Post by: bigun on September 20, 2013, 07:08:57 AM
I've been deer, duck, turkey, and everything else hunting since about 1978 (when I went through firearm safety at 12).
I've tried elk hunting several times, never hardcore. My folks lived in Forks for awhile, but I opted not to shoot an elk out of their back yard (literally), so I've yet to kill one. Hunted the Nile unit once or twice. Spent some time on Grouse Ridge with a muzzleloader some years back.
Been putting in for Toutle and Margaret the last few years. Have some friends in Vancouver. Looking forward to that tag someday.
That being said, here I am again without a special permit. I was down in the Ryderwood area last year before the muzzle season scouting around Abernathy Creek. Did see a few cows, and found a bit of sign. When I emailed the biologist for the area, they just said off of Wildwood Road.
I'm hoping to drive down Sunday to scout a bit. I'll have my bike, and would like to spend the day behind a gate or berm somewhere. not opposed to going into the brush or timber.
If anyone is willing to share a road number, creek drainage, anything that would give me an idea where to start, it'd be much appreciated.
If you want to PM me, I'll gladly let you know what I see, or don't see. Might save you some scouting time?
Thank you
Post by: slack56 on September 20, 2013, 07:20:14 AM
Post by: 12Gauge on September 20, 2013, 07:30:50 AM
If your hunting Weyerhaeuser land, keep in mind that it is now a permit access only. And at $200 each permit; I can buy lots of steaks with that.
Welcome to the forum.
Post by: pianoman9701 on September 20, 2013, 07:37:06 AM
Post by: scout/sniper on September 20, 2013, 07:39:52 AM
I hunted Ryderwood area last year and saw plenty of cow elk and deer.:yike: All Weyco land?
If your hunting Weyerhaeuser land, keep in mind that it is now a permit access only. And at $200 each permit; I can buy lots of steaks with that.
Welcome to the forum.
Post by: blackveltbowhunter on September 20, 2013, 10:25:23 AM
Bigun- Are you hunting Muzzle or Modern? I agree with Pman and try to contact the area bio and pick their brain a little. Ask specific questions about areas you have in mind, sounds like you are already at least somewhat familiar with the unit and all of the areas are a good start. If all the bio is telling you is off wildwood, IMO that is simply a lazy answer, As that is the area focused on for the late cow hunts and herd reduction. The whole unit recieves alot of pressure, and elk number have plummeted in the area. Between the late cow tags and hoof rot the herd has taken a significant beating in recent years.
That said elk are truly sprinkled all over, more so once hunting pressure starts. So any spot you choose should produce elk. Personally I would find some area that is conducive to the type of hunting you like to do and start their. PM sent
Post by: scout/sniper on September 20, 2013, 10:43:30 AM
Yes all weyco is access permit now.I live in the St. Helens Tree Farm.
Only Central WA Operations (Pe Ell and Vail) is permit access.
!!!!!This is why I asked!!!!! :bash:
Post by: Jonathan_S on September 20, 2013, 10:46:49 AM
Post by: blackveltbowhunter on September 20, 2013, 10:47:58 AM
Post by: scout/sniper on September 20, 2013, 10:48:14 AM
Anyone have hard evidence that ALL Weyco land is permit only? I've gone to their site and there it only says that Pe Ell and Vail is permit.:yeah:
Post by: scout/sniper on September 20, 2013, 10:50:44 AM
I am sorry for the confusion, I was reffering to the op asking about weyco land in the ryderwood gmu. not ALL weyco land.Big Sigh Of Relief...Thanks
Post by: blackveltbowhunter on September 20, 2013, 10:55:13 AM
Post by: Jonathan_S on September 20, 2013, 01:16:54 PM
:chuckle: Sure thing. :tup:
Whew! I was just planning a little jaunt over for late season.
The Pe Ell and Vail areas still breaks my heart :ACRY:
I had no designs to be hunting there anytime soon but I cut my teeth on deer hunting in the Vail Tree Farm and I'll never see it again.
Not to mention I probably won't see Phelps behind anymore 320" bulls from Pe Ell.
Post by: JPhelps on September 20, 2013, 08:40:07 PM
Post by: Jayfire83 on September 20, 2013, 10:16:17 PM
Post by: 12Gauge on September 20, 2013, 10:29:55 PM
I've gone to their site and there it only says that Pe Ell and Vail is permit.
:yeah:
I mentioned Weyco lands due to Ryderwood GMU is about 1/3 weyco.
It would not surprise me if all weyco lands are permit only within the next couple years or so.
Post by: olaf on September 20, 2013, 11:12:27 PM
Post by: bigun on September 21, 2013, 04:00:22 AM
Post by: HUNTINCOUPLE on September 21, 2013, 04:48:59 AM
Post by: Alan K on September 21, 2013, 04:49:42 AM
I killed my last BIG bull on Weyco last year. I refuse to pay for access. Now I have to go chase raghorns elsewhere while all the deep pockets hunt the "MONSTERS OF WEYCO".
:chuckle:
Post by: cryder on September 21, 2013, 05:23:21 AM
Post by: grundy53 on September 21, 2013, 05:52:32 AM
I killed my last BIG bull on Weyco last year. I refuse to pay for access. Now I have to go chase raghorns elsewhere while all the deep pockets hunt the "MONSTERS OF WEYCO".
:chuckle: :chuckle: :chuckle:
Post by: swwaoutdoorsman on September 22, 2013, 01:19:27 PM
Post by: scout/sniper on September 22, 2013, 04:17:21 PM
This is first on my to-do list. I hope to avoid and even reverse some of WEYCO policy. I'm sure I will have no trouble getting support from the hunting community.
It would not surprise me if all weyco lands are permit only within the next couple years or so.
Post by: TikkaT3-270Shortmag on September 23, 2013, 09:35:45 AM
Post by: JPhelps on September 23, 2013, 10:05:24 AM
Not to mention I spent way less in gas money to hunt 14 days then I would have on weyco land.... and the kicker was I got to hunt bigg...never mind all the big ones are on Weyco.
Post by: blackveltbowhunter on September 23, 2013, 10:32:50 AM
Post by: Clearcut on September 24, 2013, 12:11:18 AM
It has nothing to do with the money and everything to do with the principle of it. Heck, I spent 20 times the money on gear in the offseason. I will most likely buy a permit when it comes time for my kids to hunt (unless the talk is true and weyco is already talking about $350 next year, so who knows where it will be by 2020).
Not to mention I spent way less in gas money to hunt 14 days then I would have on weyco land.... and the kicker was I got to hunt bigg...never mind all the big ones are on Weyco.
AGREED! It is the principal. An it will be the last big bull pulled out of there. By giving everyone vehicle access to area that was other wise closed to vehicles an hunters had to go it by foot or bike. You don't think that the animals haven't noticed a difference huh? or the fact that every person out there isn't gonna park an walk. there gonna be truck buglers an ruin the area weather a person was willing to pay or not. An the rumor is probably true. They'll raise an raise until no one is willing to pay an the real fact is a person can take his money an go hunt out of state cheaper before long. Its a sad deal and until everyone is willing to say no an stop a resist they'll walk all over us an the future of our kids as hunters.
Post by: TikkaT3-270Shortmag on September 24, 2013, 05:52:39 AM
Post by: elk79 on October 02, 2013, 06:13:45 PM
Post by: TikkaT3-270Shortmag on October 03, 2013, 06:13:11 AM
Post by: mien hunter on October 23, 2013, 05:03:18 AM
Post by: elk247 on October 23, 2013, 05:28:13 AM
Post by: TikkaT3-270Shortmag on October 23, 2013, 07:33:37 AM
Post by: cryder on October 23, 2013, 10:04:20 AM
Post by: TikkaT3-270Shortmag on October 24, 2013, 08:07:48 AM