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Big Game Hunting => Elk Hunting => Topic started by: popcan33 on August 12, 2014, 07:35:33 PM


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Title: Access ?
Post by: popcan33 on August 12, 2014, 07:35:33 PM
I'm sure this has been hashed out but I cannot get the search to work.

Was wondering if you could access a open elk gmu by walking through a permit area gmu? Obviously not hunting in the permit area, would just shave off a bunch of hiking to the open gmu.
Title: Re: Access ?
Post by: dreamunelk on August 12, 2014, 07:56:43 PM
Nope, have take the long way.
Title: Re: Access ?
Post by: popcan33 on August 12, 2014, 08:07:24 PM
Is it in the regs?
Title: Re: Access ?
Post by: billythekidrock on August 12, 2014, 08:11:59 PM
It would help if you are a little more clear on what you are asking.

What type of permit? Hunting? Access?
Who owns the land? State? Private Timber?
What GMUs?
Title: Re: Access ?
Post by: bobcat on August 12, 2014, 08:13:00 PM
I would do it. You can drive through closed GMU's to get to the open GMU. What's the difference? It's just a different mode of transportation.

When I hike in for the early modern firearm deer hunt, I'm hiking through a closed unit until I get to the wilderness boundary, and then I'm in the open unit. Same thing that you're talking about.
Title: Re: Access ?
Post by: adamR on August 12, 2014, 08:15:33 PM
I'd do it but I would have my gun or bow unloaded and on my pack so they couldn't get any false ideas.
Title: Re: Access ?
Post by: benhuntin on August 12, 2014, 08:17:45 PM
Perfectly legal. If your not hunting, your not hunting.


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Title: Re: Access ?
Post by: benhuntin on August 12, 2014, 08:17:57 PM
Perfectly legal. If your not hunting, your not hunting.


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Title: Re: Access ?
Post by: Blacktail Sniper on August 12, 2014, 08:47:09 PM
It would help if you are a little more clear on what you are asking.

What type of permit? Hunting? Access?
Who owns the land? State? Private Timber?
What GMUs?

 :yeah:
Title: Re: Access ?
Post by: popcan33 on August 12, 2014, 08:50:57 PM
State land to state land. I can't find anything saying you can't do it.

Would be mire than willing to walk the warden to the gut pile in the open gmu....if I get one.
Title: Re: Access ?
Post by: bobcat on August 12, 2014, 08:59:49 PM
" I can't find anything saying you can't do it."

That's because there's no law against going for a walk in the woods.

Like benhuntin said, "If you're not hunting, you're not hunting."   :chuckle:  That about sums it up. 
Title: Re: Access ?
Post by: popcan33 on August 13, 2014, 08:29:41 AM
" I can't find anything saying you can't do it."

That's because there's no law against going for a walk in the woods.

Like benhuntin said, "If you're not hunting, you're not hunting."   :chuckle:  That about sums it up.
That's what I was thinking!
Title: Re: Access ?
Post by: kodiak06 on August 13, 2014, 03:54:59 PM

Was wondering if you could access a open elk gmu by walking through a permit area gmu? Obviously not hunting in the permit area, would just shave off a bunch of hiking to the open gmu.

In your scenario, I don't see where anyone can say it's legal to cross when a permit IS REQUIRED to access the land. The permits would be for land access, not "hunting". I also think a local LEO would consider you hunting since you're carrying a weapon. I'd say your trespassing...
Title: Re: Access ?
Post by: floatinghat on August 13, 2014, 06:17:10 PM

In your scenario, I don't see where anyone can say it's legal to cross when a permit IS REQUIRED to access the land. The permits would be for land access, not "hunting". I also think a local LEO would consider you hunting since you're carrying a weapon. I'd say your trespassing...


 :yeah: 
Title: Re: Access ?
Post by: bobcat on August 13, 2014, 06:50:00 PM
He wasn't asking about crossing private land that requires an access permit. The scenario was walking through a GMU that is not open for general season elk hunting to get to a GMU that is open for elk hunting.
Title: Re: Access ?
Post by: j_h_nimrod on August 13, 2014, 07:15:40 PM

In your scenario, I don't see where anyone can say it's legal to cross when a permit IS REQUIRED to access the land. The permits would be for land access, not "hunting". I also think a local LEO would consider you hunting since you're carrying a weapon. I'd say your trespassing...




 :yeah:

The OP did not say a permit was required to access the land, just that the land in question requires a permit to hunt. If it is public or open land then it is open to hiking and you can cross all you want, if it is private land then it is private (No Trespassing) unless you have permission.

LEOs can think what they want and interpret (twist) laws as they want (and often do), but legally I could walk in any open forest dressed to the nines in camo carrying a rifle and they can do nothing unless they can prove you are breaking a law. The prima facie evidence is you are hunting but actually proving that may be difficult, though proof does not seem to be a requisite of the law any longer.

As Bobcat said, it is legal. You can access very few wilderness areas by road yet they have early open seasons when all the surrounding land is closed to hunting. Gotta gain access somehow.

Title: Re: Access ?
Post by: kodiak06 on August 13, 2014, 08:47:27 PM
He wasn't asking about crossing private land that requires an access permit. The scenario was walking through a GMU that is not open for general season elk hunting to get to a GMU that is open for elk hunting.

So why does the original post say he wants to access an open unit by passing through a "permit" area?? The way he typed it, he's wanting to travel through a permit area to get to an area that is open. Reads as if "open" to public hunting.
Title: Re: Access ?
Post by: Skinnyguts on August 13, 2014, 08:59:19 PM
Did you forget about special hunting permits, you know the ones you apply through wdfw for?
Title: Re: Access ?
Post by: The scout on August 13, 2014, 09:01:19 PM
I access a western unit to hunt by hiking through a eastern unit to get there. seen a game warden at the trailhead that asked where I got my bull and was not concerned with that at all
Title: Re: Access ?
Post by: Curly on August 13, 2014, 09:01:49 PM
State land to state land. I can't find anything saying you can't do it.

Would be mire than willing to walk the warden to the gut pile in the open gmu....if I get one.

He said state land to state land access.  I bet he's hunting Margaret or something down that way that is permit only for elk.  Access would be through another GMU that is not open.
Title: Re: Access ?
Post by: kodiak06 on August 13, 2014, 09:05:06 PM
Did you forget about special hunting permits, you know the ones you apply through wdfw for?

I think that's for me, not sure?? If so, a hunting permit ( I think you're meaning a tag) does not grant permission to hunt the land. I think That's what you mean anyway...
Title: Re: Access ?
Post by: kodiak06 on August 13, 2014, 09:08:59 PM
State land to state land. I can't find anything saying you can't do it.

Would be mire than willing to walk the warden to the gut pile in the open gmu....if I get one.

He said state land to state land access.  I bet he's hunting Margaret or something down that way that is permit only for elk.  Access would be through another GMU that is not open.

 :tup: I think I would call the LEO instead of getting advice on here  ;)
Title: Re: Access ?
Post by: bobcat on August 13, 2014, 09:31:09 PM
No reason to call anyone with this question.
Title: Re: Access ?
Post by: popcan33 on August 13, 2014, 09:41:49 PM
It's not illegal if its not written down somewhere. If it was someone would have pointed me to it.

I'm talking about state land that happens to be closed to hunting ..unless you drew a permit. Any Tom Dick or Harry can access it.....anytime of the year. I did not draw that permit, just want to walk through it to get to the open gmu that I can hunt.

With you bobcat...
Title: Re: Access ?
Post by: Skinnyguts on August 13, 2014, 10:18:00 PM
Did you forget about special hunting permits, you know the ones you apply through wdfw for?

I think that's for me, not sure?? If so, a hunting permit ( I think you're meaning a tag) does not grant permission to hunt the land. I think That's what you mean anyway...

No, I meant permit, same ones the OP is talking about. He is good to go.
Title: Re: Access ?
Post by: kodiak06 on August 13, 2014, 11:27:11 PM
 :tup:  Gotcha, just didn't want him tromping around on land that req'd a permit...
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