Post by: blacktaill on November 09, 2013, 07:20:31 PM
Post by: billythekidrock on November 09, 2013, 07:24:24 PM
Post by: duckmen1 on November 09, 2013, 07:25:08 PM
Post by: blacktaill on November 09, 2013, 07:30:14 PM
You saw more deer in there than I have in a few years of hunting that unit. There used to be tons of elk in there but now it is the "go to direction" to send hunters. The elk are there, just not in the numbers of a few years back. Too many cow permits and hoof rot.
That is what I was told. This was my first year elk hunting so still lots to learn. The guys I where hunting with could not believe all the deer I was sopting 8)
Post by: Armadillo on November 09, 2013, 09:49:22 PM
Post by: sneakyjake on November 09, 2013, 10:33:04 PM
Post by: Armadillo on November 09, 2013, 11:10:14 PM
Post by: RadSav on November 10, 2013, 12:04:25 AM
You saw more deer in there than I have in a few years of hunting that unit. There used to be tons of elk in there but now it is the "go to direction" to send hunters. The elk are there, just not in the numbers of a few years back. Too many cow permits and hoof rot.
:tup: :tup:
WDFW will do a count after the snow hits and they are all bunched up in there from the high country. Then they will decide to give out another 500 or more cow tags for early seasons so we can further destroy the local low elevation herds. And they will continue to restrict bowhunters from shooting bulls in the late season forcing them to harvests cows only.
Even with all the hunting pressure this unit used to be one of the more enjoyable hunting areas in the state. Not so much anymore. Now we just tell stories to our nieces and nephews, kids and grandkids about the days when the Winston was to best place in the state to spend in the woods during elk season. I doubt I will see it return in my lifetime :'(
Problem is these days...where else are you going to go? Keep putting in for the draw and maybe you can do better than me and actually draw a good area within the next 18 years. If ignoring the hoof rot situation for so many years hasn't led to the end of all elk hunting in The St Helens area by then.
I'm not usually a WDFW basher, but in the case of the Winston herd they have sure screwed it up pretty dang good!
Post by: HntnFsh on November 10, 2013, 05:48:22 AM
You saw more deer in there than I have in a few years of hunting that unit. There used to be tons of elk in there but now it is the "go to direction" to send hunters. The elk are there, just not in the numbers of a few years back. Too many cow permits and hoof rot.
:tup: :tup:
WDFW will do a count after the snow hits and they are all bunched up in there from the high country. Then they will decide to give out another 500 or more cow tags for early seasons so we can further destroy the local low elevation herds. And they will continue to restrict bowhunters from shooting bulls in the late season forcing them to harvests cows only.
Even with all the hunting pressure this unit used to be one of the more enjoyable hunting areas in the state. Not so much anymore. Now we just tell stories to our nieces and nephews, kids and grandkids about the days when the Winston was to best place in the state to spend in the woods during elk season. I doubt I will see it return in my lifetime :'(
Problem is these days...where else are you going to go? Keep putting in for the draw and maybe you can do better than me and actually draw a good area within the next 18 years. If ignoring the hoof rot situation for so many years hasn't led to the end of all elk hunting in The St Helens area by then.
I'm not usually a WDFW basher, but in the case of the Winston herd they have sure screwed it up pretty dang good!
Well said Radsav! I'm getting pretty worried about the way this unit is going. Actually has already gone. Pretty sad state of affairs!
Post by: MacAttack on November 10, 2013, 06:50:45 PM
Post by: Button Nubbs on November 10, 2013, 07:03:13 PM
id have to agree. i have only hunted the winston a couple times and since have found greener pastures. i have a hunch weyco plays a BIG part in the destruction of that herd, but its nothing more than suspicion...You saw more deer in there than I have in a few years of hunting that unit. There used to be tons of elk in there but now it is the "go to direction" to send hunters. The elk are there, just not in the numbers of a few years back. Too many cow permits and hoof rot.
:tup: :tup:
WDFW will do a count after the snow hits and they are all bunched up in there from the high country. Then they will decide to give out another 500 or more cow tags for early seasons so we can further destroy the local low elevation herds. And they will continue to restrict bowhunters from shooting bulls in the late season forcing them to harvests cows only.
Even with all the hunting pressure this unit used to be one of the more enjoyable hunting areas in the state. Not so much anymore. Now we just tell stories to our nieces and nephews, kids and grandkids about the days when the Winston was to best place in the state to spend in the woods during elk season. I doubt I will see it return in my lifetime :'(
Problem is these days...where else are you going to go? Keep putting in for the draw and maybe you can do better than me and actually draw a good area within the next 18 years. If ignoring the hoof rot situation for so many years hasn't led to the end of all elk hunting in The St Helens area by then.
I'm not usually a WDFW basher, but in the case of the Winston herd they have sure screwed it up pretty dang good!
Post by: Ziptie on November 12, 2013, 09:19:39 AM
Post by: GEARHEAD on November 12, 2013, 09:38:42 AM
Post by: Duckhammer on November 12, 2013, 01:08:32 PM
LOOK at the HUGE positive you got from this experience.... You know where a couple 4 point bucks live!
Post by: cryfowl on November 12, 2013, 03:37:22 PM
Post by: cwebsterdeerhunter on November 12, 2013, 04:27:19 PM
Post by: kglacken on November 12, 2013, 06:09:43 PM
Post by: ELK SHOT on November 12, 2013, 06:59:05 PM
Post by: HntnFsh on November 13, 2013, 05:27:11 AM
Went up this year and talked to a guy that said the game department had shot 642 elk with hoof rot. They shot everything that they saw limping. It was an attempt to stop hoof rot from crossing the Columbia River into Oregon. Its too bad because there has been some great elk hunting there for many years. I know I am going to find a new spot for sure next year.
I dont believe it for a minute :yike:
Post by: billythekidrock on November 13, 2013, 05:46:58 AM
Went up this year and talked to a guy that said the game department had shot 642 elk with hoof rot. They shot everything that they saw limping. It was an attempt to stop hoof rot from crossing the Columbia River into Oregon. Its too bad because there has been some great elk hunting there for many years. I know I am going to find a new spot for sure next year.
I dont believe it for a minute :yike:
:yeah:
Post by: SFD2015 on November 13, 2013, 02:15:37 PM
Rumor 1: That in cooperation with the Weyco, the WDFW and/or DNR euthanized approximately 600 Elk in the Winston to deal with the spread of the Hoof Rot. 60% were supposedly Bulls.
Rumor 2: Weyco in their grand wisdom is going to charge approximately $300 Per PERSON (not vehicle, but person) to hunt their lands starting next year.
A couple of points, first has anyone done a FOIA request or know how to do one with regards to Elk being euthanized in Western Washington over the course of 2013? Second, Weyco is SURROUNDED by DNR land, but in order to access it, I have to go through Weyco Gates. So I have to pay Weyco in order to access a State Resource? Since the amount of access permits will be limited, the amount of money will be limited as well. How much are they really looking at making off of this endeavor or does it seem to anyone else that the State and everyone else wants to price the working stiff out of the ability to hunt?
Back to the Winston, this year, the rumors and in fact 9 of the Elk I saw were all up High (and not on Weyco land.....). It's a matter of knowing the area and getting to it. By the way, I can now CONFIRM that the Weyco Gate at the 2500 Road off Spirit Lake Highway (headed into the Margaret) IS privately owned and the cheesy sign nailed to a tree on the Hwy is telling the truth. The gate was open in the morning, but locked by a private person (per Weyco security) that eve, leaving a long way back to camp. The 4 other trucks that followed us out can also confirm it! I suggest everyone Head to the Blues next year and stay outta Weyco land :chuckle:
Post by: STIKNSTRINGBOW on November 13, 2013, 02:22:59 PM
The Winston used to be my favorite area to hunt Elk. Always saw 3-4 herds a day and sometimes more. Were always legal bulls around every corner. Then it was opened to cows and the gates were opened, and they gave out 100 cow permits to modern firearm hunting.........next year, very few elk and worse each year. I don't even make the drive down there anymore. Not saying there aren't elk, just not like the good old days, aka 6-7 yrs ago. It Was nice being able to bike into an area and not bump shoulders with people.6-7 years ago.. :yike:
I hunted it back in the early 90's when my EA Elk tag was good during late season, we used to have the place to ourselves. (or so it seemed)
Post by: bobcat on November 13, 2013, 02:25:49 PM
Quote
Rumor 2: Weyco in their grand wisdom is going to charge approximately $300 Per PERSON (not vehicle, but person) to hunt their lands starting next year.
This rumor- I would be shocked if this was not true. And, $300 is about what I would expect. I would also think Pe Ell and Vail will be increased to the same.
Margaret and Toutle elk permits should be an easy draw next year. Or, what's more likely is that both units will be open for the general season next year.
Post by: duckmen1 on November 13, 2013, 03:02:02 PM
Post by: HntnFsh on November 13, 2013, 07:01:55 PM
Where is Weyco surrounded by DNR? Havent seen it. There are patches of state land in Weyco. A big patch that usually has access available out of Toutle.
Post by: bobcat on November 13, 2013, 07:13:45 PM
I would put money on rumor #2 being pure B.S.
Why would they not charge for access? They already are for Vail and Pe Ell. Why would St Helens be any different?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk (http://tapatalk.com/m?id=1)
Post by: HntnFsh on November 14, 2013, 05:43:25 AM
I would put money on rumor #2 being pure B.S.
Why would they not charge for access? They already are for Vail and Pe Ell. Why would St Helens be any different?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk (http://tapatalk.com/m?id=1)
Your right! I had one of those DUH moments. Meant rumor #1. About killing all the hoof rot elk. I guess the UFOs flew them out so nobody would find them. I wouldnt be a bit surprised if St. Helens tree far goes to fee access.
I'll go back and edit my previous post.
Post by: Ductsquatch on November 14, 2013, 11:37:59 AM
Lots of hunters.
Decreasing number of animals.
Lots of people looking for a new area.
I went down for opening day, it was my first time there. My Dad went with me, but had to bail early due to medical reasons, leaving me on my own in a new area. I hunted 2 clearcuts, never saw a thing other than more hunters. Then the weather went crazy and I ended up going home without setting up camp. Two days later, I decided to go where I got my deer. (whole different area). There were not a lot of hunters....and there were FRESH clearcuts within 5 miles. (access only clear cuts of course). Drove up, and hiked about 2 miles down one of those chopped up roads that have been abandoned........Found a herd of elk........didn't see them.......but they were RIGHT there.......fresh tracks in snow.....scatt with no snow or ice on it..........
Next year..........next year. Mountain Bike Pack In. 8)
Post by: SFD2015 on November 14, 2013, 07:55:46 PM
Quote
Where is Weyco surrounded by DNR? Havent seen it
One of the dudes in our hunting party had a chip on his GPS that gave Land Ownership information. We were VERY surprised to see allot of DNR off of :IBCOOL: Mountain (By the way, Roy Boy, saw your mailbox... COOL) as well as a number of private party parcels. We noticed allot more DNR than we had ever known. That Chip was worth every cent that he spent on it! :chuckle:
The Elk seemed to be VERY scattered this year (Ran into some good ol boys that had some GREAT luck hunting their first year in the Coweeman) and I was actually surprised at the number of hunters. Some said that there seemed to be allot of hunters (I did notice an uptick in Road hunters and rigs parked on some clear cuts) but had the majority of the unit been open for access off the 500 I think allot of that would have thinned out. and the numbers would have at least seemed not as bad. The weekends as usual were the worst.
There will be allot of people looking for new grounds next year. I am still having difficulty imagining how they are going to enforce this, if I go in on DNR and cross into Weyco through the forest and not necessarily through the road. Also wondering exactly how they are going to work permits. Not sure that Toutle Bull Tag is going to worth that price.
We did see a number of elk carcasses but you can't tell how bones die! A few cows and some missing heads so I can imagine those were bulls taken by hunters. Other than the rumors from the locals, I haven't heard anything to substantiate it.
Post by: bigsads on November 15, 2013, 01:08:33 PM
Post by: blacktaill on November 18, 2013, 08:23:47 AM
QuoteWhere is Weyco surrounded by DNR? Havent seen it
One of the dudes in our hunting party had a chip on his GPS that gave Land Ownership information. We were VERY surprised to see allot of DNR off of :IBCOOL: Mountain (By the way, Roy Boy, saw your mailbox... COOL) as well as a number of private party parcels. We noticed allot more DNR than we had ever known. That Chip was worth every cent that he spent on it! :chuckle:
The Elk seemed to be VERY scattered this year (Ran into some good ol boys that had some GREAT luck hunting their first year in the Coweeman) and I was actually surprised at the number of hunters. Some said that there seemed to be allot of hunters (I did notice an uptick in Road hunters and rigs parked on some clear cuts) but had the majority of the unit been open for access off the 500 I think allot of that would have thinned out. and the numbers would have at least seemed not as bad. The weekends as usual were the worst.
There will be allot of people looking for new grounds next year. I am still having difficulty imagining how they are going to enforce this, if I go in on DNR and cross into Weyco through the forest and not necessarily through the road. Also wondering exactly how they are going to work permits. Not sure that Toutle Bull Tag is going to worth that price.
We did see a number of elk carcasses but you can't tell how bones die! A few cows and some missing heads so I can imagine those were bulls taken by hunters. Other than the rumors from the locals, I haven't heard anything to substantiate it.
Took a picture with my buddy next to the mailbox! That was funny as hell to see in the middle of the woods! :chuckle:
Post by: npaull on November 21, 2013, 10:29:39 AM
Post by: scree on November 26, 2013, 09:00:26 AM
Even with all the hunting pressure this unit used to be one of the more enjoyable hunting areas in the state. Not so much anymore. Now we just tell stories to our nieces and nephews, kids and grandkids about the days when the Winston was to best place in the state to spend in the woods during elk season. I doubt I will see it return in my lifetime :'(
Problem is these days...where else are you going to go? Keep putting in for the draw and maybe you can do better than me and actually draw a good area within the next 18 years. If ignoring the hoof rot situation for so many years hasn't led to the end of all elk hunting in The St Helens area by then.
I'm not usually a WDFW basher, but in the case of the Winston herd they have sure screwed it up pretty dang good!
[/quote]
Could not have said it better my self RadSav particularly your last sentence.
Post by: Eli346 on November 26, 2013, 05:26:11 PM
Royboy sets up camp in September and usually stays through the middle of Dec and sometimes longer. He's had several Turkey Day feasts up there. His campset is quite unique and he's getting better at it every year. All the comforts of home!
Post by: RadSav on December 02, 2013, 04:29:31 AM
Been hunting the Winston since the mid eighties. Wanted to leave and never come back when they took our bulls away a few years ago. But the wife loves the place so we kept going back. This year she told me this is our last year there. At one time I was looking at buying the Bigfoot gift shop and turning it into a first class camp ground for hunters. Glad I didn't do that! Would have lost my arse as I expect plenty like us expect it will never get better in our lifetime and will never return after this season.
Saw enough carcasses to figure the hard hunting rifle guys had reasonable success. But man! Compared to ten years ago makes a grown man want to cry. :'(
Post by: MADMAX on December 02, 2013, 04:54:13 AM
I have hunted it since they used to give away the tree damage maps in the 80s
terrible now
have not been back for 2 years
Tried Williams creek didnt really like it
If westside I'm thinking Lewis river, eastside Colockum or Manastash
Post by: Thehowler on December 02, 2013, 08:03:23 AM
Difference being this year, if I wasn't at my hunting spot before it even started getting light out, I would risk being trapped behind rolling road blocks or someone trying to block an Entire road system until they could see enough to be the fist in to road hunt. Sick.
Post by: BowForElk on December 02, 2013, 07:51:44 PM
We were told about the cow tags (the real number i dunno) also heard about wolves. I never saw a wolf but we did find an unusual amount of bones. bones were everywhere in the timber and it may be winter kills gut shots I dunno but it was pretty bad.
this morning since they were back in there logging we stopped and talked to one of the weyco guys turnin people around and he said that Weyco has no plans for permits for their st helens tree farm.. take it for what its worth.
I hope something changes cause its a good unit there is a lot of pressure although I didnt see that many people this weekend and we usually go the same four days every year.
I will say that Im scrambling to find another place for this weekend cause 4 days and not even a yellow rear end running for the timber is NOT GOOD. but we were gettin snowed on before we left and they are set for a lot of cold weather so we will see. maybe a few inches of snow will turn things around
Post by: Button Nubbs on December 02, 2013, 08:12:33 PM