Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Elk Hunting => Topic started by: NorseNW on September 15, 2021, 04:27:39 PM

Title: Weyerhaeuser motorized access still have gates?
Post by: NorseNW on September 15, 2021, 04:27:39 PM: Not trying to start a debate just curious because I'm debating trying it next year if it's even possible to get a permit. Once you get behind the access gates with a motorized permit are there still roads that are gated or blocked enough to the point you can't drive down them? I have no desire to road hunt, just not my gig. I prefer getting behind locked gates on foot and dropping off into likely spots to search for animals.

Thanks for any input from those on the ground!
Title: Re: Weyerhaeuser motorized access still have gates?
Post by: Matth on September 15, 2021, 04:30:49 PM: Most internal gates on weyco land are accessing other timber company lands, or they are designated walk in areas.
Title: Re: Weyerhaeuser motorized access still have gates?
Post by: Encore 280 on September 15, 2021, 04:32:14 PM: Yes there are gated roads in some places behind the locked gates. If you get a vehicle permit then they send you a map that shows the gates with locks and ones that you can't get in or out.
Title: Re: Weyerhaeuser motorized access still have gates?
Post by: Bronson on September 15, 2021, 05:14:11 PM: I think it depends on the area. I have been in a couple and with the exception of the designated walk in only areas the majority of the gates are open and the few that are gated you can get to from other road systems or get dang close to them. So even if you hike in, you won't really be getting that far away from anyone on a drivable road.
Title: Re: Weyerhaeuser motorized access still have gates?
Post by: brew on September 15, 2021, 05:37:02 PM: Quote from: Encore 280 on September 15, 2021, 04:32:14 PM
Yes there are gated roads in some places behind the locked gates. If you get a vehicle permit then they send you a map that shows the gates with locks and ones that you can't get in or out.
unfortunately that's not entirely accurate. I have had the Vail permit for the last few years and the gyppos will come in and throw gates up with signs saying no permit access in areas not noted on the Vail map. I've e-mailed them about this and crickets-no response. This happened to me last year a week before muzzleloader elk season in an area that i scouted a lot for a couple months then got assed out...and this was an area they weren't actively logging. Make sure to have back up plans for different areas
Title: Re: Weyerhaeuser motorized access still have gates?
Post by: NorseNW on September 16, 2021, 04:25:54 PM: I thought it may be a mixed bag of where and when but thought I would at least try. May just have to give it a try. Our hunting camp moto as we are on the steep learning curve - You don't know until you go! as well as money is just green paper we put value on.
Title: Re: Weyerhaeuser motorized access still have gates?
Post by: Alan K on September 16, 2021, 04:49:58 PM: Not many places to get away from roads on timberlands. Getting more than a half mile from a road as a crow flies is hard to do. If you want to get away from roads I'd look at wilderness areas or USFS land that they've destroyed the road infrastructure on. Problem with those areas is there isn't a whole lot of feed and in turn not much for game.
Title: Re: Weyerhaeuser motorized access still have gates?
Post by: brew on September 16, 2021, 07:45:33 PM: Quote from: Alan K on September 16, 2021, 04:49:58 PM
Not many places to get away from roads on timberlands. Getting more than a half mile from a road as a crow flies is hard to do. If you want to get away from roads I'd look at wilderness areas or USFS land that they've destroyed the road infrastructure on. Problem with those areas is there isn't a whole lot of feed and in turn not much for game.
elk are where they are regardless of roads on timberlands or not. just last week ran across 6 beds along side of a road and steaming piles of poop in the road 45 minutes after daylight. Last M/L season opening day at 1 pm glassed up a monster 8x8 and 5x5 from 600 yards and they were less than 200 yards in a wide open cut under a road. Radioed another hunting partner and he walked in to within 80 yards before they stood up. Bull fever caused a miss and both bulls trotted by the shooter at 60 yards as he forgot to take some reloads. yes they are in deep dark canyons miles from a road but they also do their thing within shootable distances from roads if you do your homework
Title: Re: Weyerhaeuser motorized access still have gates?
Post by: Alan K on September 16, 2021, 09:01:54 PM: For sure. Sounded like the OP likes to get away from them. All I hunt is industrial timberlands. :tup: