Post by: fireweed on May 27, 2014, 08:44:01 AM
Here's from the USFS.
"The hunters’ pamphlet is incorrect. The only area of the Margaret unit inside the Monument where hunting is not allowed is the south-facing slope along the north side of Coldwater Lake, where no off-trail hiking is permitted. This is the same restriction that has been in place for years, so there is no change in hunting restrictions from previous years."
Mitch Wainwright
South Zone Wildlife Biologist
Mt. Adams R.D.
Mt. St. Helens R.D.
42218 NE Yale Bridge Rd.
Amboy, WA 98601
Post by: bigtex on May 27, 2014, 08:52:39 AM
Post by: bobcat on May 27, 2014, 08:58:57 AM
Here is what the note says in the pamphlet:
"Currently the USFS does not allow hunting on the portion of GMU 524 that is within Mt. St. Helens National Volcanic Monument per USFS rules."
So if the current USFS rules say it's okay, then it should be.
Post by: Blacktail Sniper on May 27, 2014, 09:03:33 AM
Post by: fireweed on May 27, 2014, 09:09:47 AM
Post by: bobcat on May 27, 2014, 09:15:36 AM
You really willing to gamble on that?????
Sure, I would. But I didn't apply for Margaret so I don't have to worry. And if I did, I would pay the $150 and hunt Weyerhaeuser.
The note looks to be simply information the WDFW is providing. It doesn't prohibit hunting that area. It only says the USFS does. Well, they don't, so who's going to be enforcing a rule that doesn't exist?
Having said all that, I'm sure the WDFW will put a correction online (where most people won't see it anyway) :chuckle:
Post by: bowhunterty on May 27, 2014, 10:42:42 AM
Post by: furbearer365 on May 27, 2014, 05:04:32 PM
Post by: bowhunterty on May 27, 2014, 05:29:56 PM
Post by: kentrek on May 27, 2014, 05:30:39 PM
That area is the only reason i apply for that unit and with the amount of people getting discouraged from hoof rot or private land issues I feel like this is the year 8) 8)
Post by: Big6bull on May 27, 2014, 06:14:16 PM
Thank you for checking into this :tup:
That area is the only reason i apply for that unit and with the amount of people getting discouraged from hoof rot or private land issues I feel like this is the year 8) 8)
There's just as much of a hoof rot issue up high as there is down lower :twocents:
Post by: bobcat on May 27, 2014, 06:24:56 PM
Thank you for checking into this :tup:
That area is the only reason i apply for that unit and with the amount of people getting discouraged from hoof rot or private land issues I feel like this is the year 8) 8)
There's just as much of a hoof rot issue up high as there is down lower :twocents:
I think what he's saying is that with hoof rot being prevalent in the St. Helens area, that less people may have applied for the Margaret permit this year, so his odds of drawing are better this year than in the past.
Post by: Big6bull on May 27, 2014, 08:31:29 PM
Thank you for checking into this :tup:
That area is the only reason i apply for that unit and with the amount of people getting discouraged from hoof rot or private land issues I feel like this is the year 8) 8)
There's just as much of a hoof rot issue up high as there is down lower :twocents:
I think what he's saying is that with hoof rot being prevalent in the St. Helens area, that less people may have applied for the Margaret permit this year, so his odds of drawing are better this year than in the past.
Thanks I read that differently lol. I'm in the same boat, and would be ecstatic to draw any bull tag in the area!
Post by: Bullkllr on May 28, 2014, 03:29:28 PM
Thank you for checking into this :tup:
That area is the only reason i apply for that unit and with the amount of people getting discouraged from hoof rot or private land issues I feel like this is the year 8) 8)
There's just as much of a hoof rot issue up high as there is down lower :twocents:
I think what he's saying is that with hoof rot being prevalent in the St. Helens area, that less people may have applied for the Margaret permit this year, so his odds of drawing are better this year than in the past.
Looking at last year's reported success rates, I'm thinking the draw odds should be getting better anyway:
Bull Hunts
Mod. Rut- 100%
Modern- 58%
Archery-50%
Muzz- 23.5%
Total overall = 52%
Antlerless Hunts
Modern- 62%
Archery- 13.5%
Muzz- 18.5%
Dis.- 20%
Total Overall = 38%
I know the unit is unique in some ways, but those success rates are topped by many other units.
Ain't what it used to be by a long shot.
Post by: kentrek on May 28, 2014, 04:06:38 PM
Thank you for checking into this :tup:
That area is the only reason i apply for that unit and with the amount of people getting discouraged from hoof rot or private land issues I feel like this is the year 8) 8)
There's just as much of a hoof rot issue up high as there is down lower :twocents:
I think what he's saying is that with hoof rot being prevalent in the St. Helens area, that less people may have applied for the Margaret permit this year, so his odds of drawing are better this year than in the past.
Bingo :tup: you might run into a random infected elk but for the most part the elk in the area up there are pretty healthy
Post by: bobcat on May 28, 2014, 04:18:13 PM
Post by: bowhunterty on May 28, 2014, 04:55:32 PM
Post by: sirmissalot on May 28, 2014, 05:05:16 PM
I think the low success rates are mostly due to people thinking it's gonna be easy. The Margaret is so grown up now it's not drive around and shoot a big bull like it used to be. There are still a ton of elk and some good bulls in there.
Post by: DIYARCHERYJUNKIE on May 29, 2014, 07:15:20 AM
Post by: sirmissalot on May 29, 2014, 07:38:42 AM
Post by: DIYARCHERYJUNKIE on May 29, 2014, 08:07:37 AM
Post by: fireweed on May 29, 2014, 09:14:08 AM
The Forest Service is putting together another Land and Water Conservation Fund grant to purchase the Margaret "high Lakes" area. It has the backing of the Trust for Public Lands. If any group would like to offer a letter of support to be enclosed with the grant, please PM me. I think if you sent one in two years ago (like WFW did Thanks!) it is still good.
Post by: bobcat on May 29, 2014, 09:17:57 AM
Post by: kentrek on May 29, 2014, 09:29:48 AM
Will Agnew be willing to sell? I assumed he had that for his own private hunting area. Great news if they can make it happen!
:yeah: :yeah: its not just Agnes tho...theres a few different land owners up there
Post by: bigtex on May 29, 2014, 09:35:01 AM
FYIWe need to get as much land in the public domain in this state as we can.
The Forest Service is putting together another Land and Water Conservation Fund grant to purchase the Margaret "high Lakes" area. It has the backing of the Trust for Public Lands. If any group would like to offer a letter of support to be enclosed with the grant, please PM me. I think if you sent one in two years ago (like WFW did Thanks!) it is still good.
Post by: snowpack on May 29, 2014, 10:01:19 AM
We need to get as much land in the public domain in this state as we can.Communism hasn't been shown to be a success anywhere else it has been tried, not sure why Washington would be different. :dunno:
Post by: fireweed on May 29, 2014, 10:07:27 AM
Will Agnew be willing to sell? I assumed he had that for his own private hunting area. Great news if they can make it happen!It's not Agnew, but to the east of him, bordering the Monument, with the lakes and access that could reconnect the old Mt. Margaret Trail system.