Post by: TangoU on August 20, 2010, 01:07:37 AM
Warden - nice guy - comes by and tells us we're camped a mile off the green dot road. Huh? Turns out Boise Cascade sold parts of their land to another timber company which then, among other things, enrolled it with the state into the green dot program, and between the state and the successor timber company they closed the road. We've been discussing the road with DNR since the end of last season. Doesn't look like they plan to open it. Looks like we need to find a new place to for elk camp this year. :(
I'm just venting a little...
Post by: Deer slayer on August 20, 2010, 01:27:16 AM
memories before the change.
Post by: kirkl on August 20, 2010, 11:01:19 AM
Post by: halflife65 on August 20, 2010, 11:54:53 AM
That being said, it sucks that it happened to be where you camped - I hope you are able to locate another spot that will be good for another 50 years.
Post by: sako223 on August 20, 2010, 12:11:17 PM
Slowly get squeezed out of equal opportunity.
Post by: spikehunter on August 20, 2010, 05:01:01 PM
Post by: TangoU on August 21, 2010, 12:18:52 AM
Halflife - yeah I'm not pissed about it. I'm just bummed I have to find a new place to camp. However if they are going to close the road I think they should gate them. Lack of a green dot on a stick is insufficient. Especially if it was previously a very frequently traveled road.
Sako - I feel for you. I'm supportive of giving special access to disabled hunters.
Post by: Elkaholic daWg on August 21, 2010, 07:42:05 AM
Post by: bigmv on August 23, 2010, 06:52:12 AM
Post by: Sumpnneedskillin on August 23, 2010, 07:22:50 AM
Question, Does DNR's green dot system have control inside the US Nation Forest?
The green dot stuff is new to me (been out of state 20 yrs). What I was able to decipher from the Big Game regs is yes. It's a cooperative thing between the agencies to give the wildlife a break from vehicle traffic, especially in areas with a lot of roads.
I may be wrong, if I am someone please chime in and set me straight.
Post by: bobcat on August 23, 2010, 08:01:40 AM
Post by: EDT on August 23, 2010, 11:33:00 PM
Post by: gasman on August 24, 2010, 05:10:04 AM
When in a "Green Dot" area, all roads are closed unless market with a "Green Dot" on a side road marker. Some roads may be have a Red Dot to show closed but they are not required to mark the roads that are closed.
Post by: EDT on August 24, 2010, 07:13:32 PM
Post by: norsepeak on August 24, 2010, 10:55:05 PM
Post by: TangoU on August 26, 2010, 11:33:23 PM
program between public land management agencies, primarily DNR and WDFW, but can also include other agencies, and in some cases private landowners.
In the Green Dot Road Management System, all roads in the management area are closed unless posted open with a green dot. As mentioned above, some roads have a red dot on them, but that's rare. The rule is "Road closed unless explicitly marked with a green dot." Roads identified as “green dot roads” on green dot maps and posted with a round green reflector on white markers are open to public motor vehicles. Green dot maps are free and available at WDFW and DNR offices. You can also get the maps from WDFW and DNR web sites. They often have them at check stations, too, during the season. Persons violating the green dot system can be subject to prosecution pursuant to W.A.C. 232.12.187.
Which roads are open or closed are subject to change, usually reviewed annually, or if conditions warrant (like a wash out).
This annual change process is what got me. The latest map I had was 2006 I believe. On that map, my road was open; it was actually outside the Green Dot Road Management System. As far as I can tell, in 2009, the green dot boundary changed and my road entered the system and was not opened with a green dot. The state published an updated green dot map of the Wenas area in October 09. Unfortunately, I did not look for an updated map before elk season. I will this year.
Post by: high country on August 27, 2010, 06:49:32 AM
Post by: TangoU on October 12, 2010, 10:59:34 PM
1. Of course we've been lobbying him hard to open a short portion of what we call "Cow Canyon Road" so that we can access our camp. To recap, this road was closed sometime before the 2009 mod rifle elk season when the overall area was added to the green dot system. He felt that part of the road could probably be opened, but was unable to get the necessary survey and engineering resources to do it. "Maybe next year." --DNR.
2. The green dot road situation has not changed from the published 2009 map (can be found here: http://www.dnr.wa.gov/Publications/amp_rec_wenas_greendot_map_09.pdf (http://www.dnr.wa.gov/Publications/amp_rec_wenas_greendot_map_09.pdf)). Subject to road closures at any time of course. One thing to keep in mind: non-green dot roads don't magically become green dot roads during hunting season. Study this map, because many roads that used to be open in this area are no longer open. This includes the road commonly known as the "Rocky Prairie Road". This road is not open where it is on state land. I witnessed people who had dug up green dot stakes and tried to re-plant them on Rocky Prairie Road in a failed attempt to claim the road was dotted. Only the western-most portion on federal land is open.
3. Last year was treated as a "notification" year for enforcement purposes. We had not printed an updated green dot map since 06 I believe when we got a visit from WDFW LE last year at our camp. Nice enough guy, gave us a warning along with a copy of the new 2009 map, made us move our vehicles out to the green dot road (about 3/4 of a mile from our camp now). Told us they were primarily giving out warnings because the change were new. The exception is if they already gave you a warning or for an otherwise flagrant violation, then expect a ticket. High Country, sounds like this may have been the case with the two guys you know who were cited? I know I heard during the season last year of at least a few people warned on Rocky Prairie who were subsequently cited because they were caught a second time.
4. This year, they will be ticketing with no warnings if you drive on a closed road. If you set up a camp off a closed road, they will make you tear down the camp. And will give you a ticket. WDFW LE and DNR LE will be patrolling the roads.
5. He commented that "unfortunately, hunters are not a very organized bunch. Off-roaders and equestrians are very organized. They have clubs and action committees. When there are land use discussions, they state their case on behalf of their members. Hunters rarely show up to provide feedback." So... any other 342 hunters interested in the roads situation in the area? It would be great to have more than people with my last name show up at a land use meeting next year.
-Allen
Post by: Dslayer on October 13, 2010, 06:45:06 AM
Post by: THunt on October 13, 2010, 10:32:23 AM
Thanks Tyler
Post by: kirkl on October 13, 2010, 11:09:38 AM
Post by: bobcat on October 13, 2010, 11:30:24 AM
Post by: THunt on October 13, 2010, 12:33:05 PM
Post by: 6x6in6 on October 13, 2010, 12:54:25 PM
In talking with them again this summer, they are now in a pretty much a zero tolerence mode.
Not only the green dot road driving/camp violations but also enforcement of the distance one can camp/drive a vehicle from a green dot road.
Post by: kirkl on October 13, 2010, 01:14:15 PM
Post by: THunt on October 13, 2010, 02:59:18 PM
Do you know if its W-1640 that goes all the way to the bottom past Bobs camp or is it W-1100 that goes all the way down?
Thanks Tyler
Post by: Dslayer on October 13, 2010, 04:30:58 PM
Post by: THunt on October 13, 2010, 05:15:37 PM
Post by: THunt on October 13, 2010, 09:12:13 PM
We will be camped at the top of Woodcamp if your up that way swing in.
Post by: kirkl on October 13, 2010, 09:50:05 PM