Post by: Dtray332 on January 09, 2019, 05:08:15 PM
Post by: WSU on January 09, 2019, 05:36:43 PM
Post by: brew on January 09, 2019, 06:17:54 PM
Post by: Skyvalhunter on January 09, 2019, 07:13:43 PM
Post by: 7mmfan on January 09, 2019, 08:06:31 PM
Its no secret that modern logging, or more specifically replanting practices, a rent friendly to wildlife. Especially browse dependant animals like deer. Also, the sheer amount of vehicle traffic alone and potential for rampant poaching because of vehicle access causes the animals in those zones to be fairly spooky and stick to the thick.
It's my opinion that you will find better hunting working for it behind gates that are locked to everyone, such as DNR gates and other landowners with walk in only access.
One other thing. With those permits you can only bring immediate family with. If you have a buddy or other hunting partner you like to hunt with, they will also need a permit.
Post by: Alan K on January 09, 2019, 08:30:42 PM
I really don't understand why people have been so upset about recreation permits, or why they sell out so quickly. People eager to waste their money for some reason... :dunno:
(sarcasm!)
I certainly don't intend to increase the demand for access permits, it's nerveracking enough tapping refresh when they go up for sale. That said, there is a reason for the demand, and a reason industrial timberlands are historically the most heavily hunted places on the west side. Access permits have at least relieved the historical pressure on many areas.
Not all of the tree farms have the same game populations. I'd review harvest stats as WSU mentioned and make a judgement yourself. And like brew said, some folks readily admit they lie on their reports, but I'm confident that is a minority. The stats bear out what I would expect to see, working in the woods throughout SW WA.
Post by: 7mmfan on January 09, 2019, 09:31:38 PM
Post by: WSU on January 09, 2019, 10:32:21 PM
Post by: Sitka_Blacktail on January 10, 2019, 12:12:49 AM
Post by: TheGreenHunter on January 10, 2019, 10:57:37 AM
You should also look at the limitations. Some don't allow you to camp overnight on the property. They can close their gates if the fire danger is high so you can lose out on scouting and half an archery season if its bad like 2 years ago when they closed the property to recreational use in early July and didn't reopen till Mid-September.
The last straw for me was I walking in an area and I noticed a orange sign that said they had just sprayed Loop Biosolids in this particular area. It had 2 separate dates written on it. The first date was a do not enter this area warning date that had expired that week before. The second date was a do not eat foods foraged from this area warning date that was set for sometime in 2019.
I also came across another area that had just been cleared but its warning sign was about the spraying of a herbicide. All of this just sort of seemed to defeat the purpose of obtaining good clean meat.
I figured this year i would take the money I would have spent on the permit and use it on an out of state tag and spend time scouting wilderness areas to get away from crowds.
Post by: blackveltbowhunter on January 10, 2019, 04:24:16 PM
As for other westside weyco areas, I think its more about what you want in the experience. Some research will go along ways toward helping you pin down which species you would like to persue.
Post by: brew on January 10, 2019, 04:43:56 PM
Post by: Matth on January 10, 2019, 05:27:54 PM
Post by: Skyvalhunter on January 10, 2019, 05:43:51 PM
Post by: NorseNW on January 10, 2019, 07:26:58 PM
I have bought a weyco drive in permit in western Oregon for the last 3 years, and have harvested 3 bulls, there also has been no shortage of elk to hunt on a daily basis. The flip side to that is that for the 3 years prior to that i had no permit, and killed three bulls as well on state land. I believe that the permit can make a difference in the hands of the right person. It was easier to kill the 3 permit bulls than it was to kill the 3 state land bulls.
Sounds like you need to adopt me and help me find some elk! Nice work on connecting with the bulls.
Post by: yorketransport on January 10, 2019, 07:34:42 PM
said it before and i'll say it again...buying those weyco permits area waste of time and money
Based on what first hand experience and where?
I've had a Vail permit very year and it's the best hunting related investment I make every year. The only time I don't get an animal is when I choose to pass on them. That includes bear, deer and elk with an opportunity on a cougar at least once every year. I see more hunters when I'm out in the NF hunting than I do in Vail, and often times I'll go a day or two during deer season without seeing anyone out in Vail (other than driving down the main line). As far as rampant poaching, I see exponentially more evidence of poaching in the state and national forests.
I've never been up to the North Cascades area but based on what I've seen in Vail, Pe Ell South and Aberdeen I would get a permit and try it for a year to see how it works out.
Post by: Dtray332 on January 11, 2019, 09:59:26 AM
Post by: Matth on January 11, 2019, 12:46:17 PM
Post by: Matth on January 11, 2019, 12:47:39 PM
I have bought a weyco drive in permit in western Oregon for the last 3 years, and have harvested 3 bulls, there also has been no shortage of elk to hunt on a daily basis. The flip side to that is that for the 3 years prior to that i had no permit, and killed three bulls as well on state land. I believe that the permit can make a difference in the hands of the right person. It was easier to kill the 3 permit bulls than it was to kill the 3 state land bulls.
Sounds like you need to adopt me and help me find some elk! Nice work on connecting with the bulls.
I have 3 already tagging along, it's kinda crowded as it is.
Post by: KevrosWanderin on January 12, 2019, 12:20:02 PM
Post by: fishnfur on January 12, 2019, 12:42:38 PM