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Big Game Hunting => Elk Hunting => Topic started by: Wader on June 17, 2011, 05:13:08 PM


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Title: Margaret Access?
Post by: Wader on June 17, 2011, 05:13:08 PM
Howdy,

I've never been to the Margaret Area and will be hunting a cow tag 11/23-11/30.

Does anybody know about vehicle access there?  If it's behind locked gates, is there a security guy with a cell phone who will let you in to pick up your animal?  Is Weyerhauser the major land owner there?

Any and all help is appreciated.  I'm an attorney, so if you need me to fight a speeding ticket or something in return, I'm all about returning favors!!
Title: Re: Margaret Access?
Post by: Houndhunter on June 17, 2011, 05:22:26 PM
Some guys I know Drew last year for archery and it was all walk in for them. But they said the forest guys will drive your elk out for you, you just have to get it to the road. Should be a fun hunt
Title: Re: Margaret Access?
Post by: elkslayer069 on June 17, 2011, 06:12:44 PM
Wader
I had a buddy have that exact tag last year. They open it up for the permit holders to hunt. Last year they handed out maps with the locations of the over grasing areas on it. We hunted for 3 or 4 days just for fun couldve taged out in the first five minutes no BS. We were being picky on the size of cow he wanted and i was being picky for one in the road lol. We ended with a nice 2-3 year cow. Only had to drag her outta the ditch. We ended up being able to video tap it as well. Oh and normally theres about 4-6 inches of snow in the unit by end of november. If you got anymore questions shoot em at me.
Title: Re: Margaret Access?
Post by: Greg Mullins on June 17, 2011, 06:30:12 PM
I hunted it last year and all the gates were shut.All the red gates are now private with NO access.The guards are total jerks so stay away from them.Do your best to get your cow in sept.Last year the snow hit pretty good and they all went into the mudflow unit.I found most of the elk off the 2500 line.Remember to also hunt the right side off HWY504.Go to the DFWL website and check out the GO HUNT mapping it will help you alot.If you need more info or advise PM me Ill be glad to help you.  Greg
Title: Re: Margaret Access?
Post by: elkslayer069 on June 17, 2011, 06:36:36 PM
First of all the unit isnt just behind the red gate. Second the weyco gates were shut like always because you have to know where the weyco acess point for the unit is. Third the 2500 line isnt in the margaret unit at all its on the other side of the river in the winston and the toutle units. Oh and fourth his tag isnt in september its for november so maybe if you studied the post alittle more like you shouldve for you cow hunt maybe you wouldve been better off.  :dunno:
Title: Re: Margaret Access?
Post by: kalamasasquatch on June 17, 2011, 11:59:56 PM
the 2500 road is all margret unit until it crosses the river several miles in.
Title: Re: Margaret Access?
Post by: Elkhound on June 18, 2011, 05:43:55 AM
Two people in our party had that tag last year and they do open up some gates and give you maps as to where they would like you to focus.  Last year we had that early snow on the weekend before Thanksgiving and the elk were all along the roads eating the grass.  Our hunt was over in 30 minutes with two nice sized cows down.  You will have no problem seeing elk.  The gate at Miratta Creek is all private now and pretty much all the area between the head of Hoffstadt Creek to Fawn Lake going north is all private and they let you know it......they own 5500 acres.  There is still a lot of good elk country but you won't have to venture far for that tag!
Title: Re: Margaret Access?
Post by: HntnFsh on June 18, 2011, 07:29:18 AM
First of all the unit isnt just behind the red gate. Second the weyco gates were shut like always because you have to know where the weyco acess point for the unit is. Third the 2500 line isnt in the margaret unit at all its on the other side of the river in the winston and the toutle units. Oh and fourth his tag isnt in september its for november so maybe if you studied the post alittle more like you shouldve for you cow hunt maybe you wouldve been better off.  :dunno:

Cmon Caleb,lighten up a little. :chuckle: Oh,and you better look at your maps.The 2500 is definitely in the Margaret.  :tup:
Title: Re: Margaret Access?
Post by: blindpig on June 18, 2011, 08:33:50 AM
Sam, If you get a chance to drive the roads you will have no problem.  If you have to walk in, you will have no problem killing an elk, just the pack out....well, you know.

*He really is an attorney and a good one*
Title: Re: Margaret Access?
Post by: elkslayer069 on June 18, 2011, 02:28:14 PM
First of all the unit isnt just behind the red gate. Second the weyco gates were shut like always because you have to know where the weyco acess point for the unit is. Third the 2500 line isnt in the margaret unit at all its on the other side of the river in the winston and the toutle units. Oh and fourth his tag isnt in september its for november so maybe if you studied the post alittle more like you shouldve for you cow hunt maybe you wouldve been better off.  :dunno:

Cmon Caleb,lighten up a little. :chuckle: Oh,and you better look at your maps.The 2500 is definitely in the Margaret.  :tup:

Yeah lol i was thought he said 4200 line. It just pisses me off that people from half a state away act like they know everything.
Title: Re: Margaret Access?
Post by: Mr T on June 19, 2011, 09:56:15 PM
Appreciate the question and the information.  I drew the archery cow tag this year after hunting in eastern WA the last few years.  Gonna have to do some learning and relearning of the area.
Title: Re: Margaret Access?
Post by: Wader on June 20, 2011, 04:53:15 PM
*He really is an attorney and a good one*

Oh no, who are you and how do you know me?!   :)
Title: Re: Margaret Access?
Post by: blindpig on June 22, 2011, 05:32:44 AM
No, Im not a former client  :chuckle:  Used to work in the LC probation department.  Just put two and two together 'Wader, from Centralia, attorney' not hard to figure out.  Oh, and part-time radio voice.  :chuckle:
Title: Re: Margaret Access?
Post by: Wake1 on June 22, 2011, 10:33:42 AM
If the gates are closed call 360-537-8497 (weyerhauser security). They will let you in to retrieve your elk. This goes for Winston and Toutle also. 
Title: Re: Margaret Access?
Post by: 180-GRAIN on June 24, 2011, 11:31:26 AM
I drew the margaret rifle nov 23-30. Just wondering from the guys that were drawn last year, do they send you the tag or do you have to call for it?
Title: Re: Margaret Access?
Post by: arrowflinger on June 24, 2011, 11:48:12 AM
I drew the margaret rifle nov 23-30. Just wondering from the guys that were drawn last year, do they send you the tag or do you have to call for it?


you will get a postcard in the mail. It will state that you have to have it on you while you are hunting, along with your license and tag.
Title: Re: Margaret Access?
Post by: nailbender on June 24, 2011, 12:02:19 PM
Two people in our party had that tag last year and they do open up some gates and give you maps as to where they would like you to focus.  Last year we had that early snow on the weekend before Thanksgiving and the elk were all along the roads eating the grass.  Our hunt was over in 30 minutes with two nice sized cows down.  You will have no problem seeing elk.  The gate at Miratta Creek is all private now and pretty much all the area between the head of Hoffstadt Creek to Fawn Lake going north is all private and they let you know it......they own 5500 acres.  There is still a lot of good elk country but you won't have to venture far for that tag!

So did ya call or just run in to these folks to gain access and maps?

 I've a the blackpowder tag for cow this year. Same with my dad. I'm looking forward to him getting his this year...
Title: Re: Margaret Access?
Post by: julzzz on June 24, 2011, 12:14:35 PM
I had the margaret rifle tag last year and saw lots of elk including decent bulls every day.  should not be hard to fill your tag.
Title: Re: Margaret Access?
Post by: julzzz on June 24, 2011, 12:22:24 PM
pm sent
Title: Re: Margaret Access?
Post by: arrowflinger on June 24, 2011, 12:37:34 PM
Two people in our party had that tag last year and they do open up some gates and give you maps as to where they would like you to focus.  Last year we had that early snow on the weekend before Thanksgiving and the elk were all along the roads eating the grass.  Our hunt was over in 30 minutes with two nice sized cows down.  You will have no problem seeing elk.  The gate at Miratta Creek is all private now and pretty much all the area between the head of Hoffstadt Creek to Fawn Lake going north is all private and they let you know it......they own 5500 acres.  There is still a lot of good elk country but you won't have to venture far for that tag!

So did ya call or just run in to these folks to gain access and maps?

 I've a the blackpowder tag for cow this year. Same with my dad. I'm looking forward to him getting his this year...

I got drawn for a muzzy cow tag also. I spent a lot of time in the are mention above. Now, I got to get out and learn other places.

good luck.

Ken
Title: Re: Margaret Access?
Post by: Crunchy on June 24, 2011, 12:49:00 PM
I drew archery Margaret cow tag this year. I hope to not need it since I have Toutle bull also.  I should scout it as a back up plan.
Title: Re: Margaret Access?
Post by: bowhuntersd on June 25, 2011, 03:28:11 PM
I think some people may some misinformation. It is up the disgression of the guard to let you in or not. If it closed for fire danger they will not let you in. I took an elk in the winston (early archery) a few years ago and they would not let us in to retrieve it. We walked in and they said no one was allowed in there do to fire danger so I was on my own. With the tag you have you shouldn't have any problems getting in. It just early season that is the problem with the temps. Some of the margaret is private but not all of it, but the area that is private is prime elk country.  :bash:
Title: Re: Margaret Access?
Post by: Mr T on July 08, 2011, 01:49:31 PM
How about camping in or near the hunting area?  We have a small 12' trailer we like to hunt from.  Is this possible?  Thanks for any info.
Title: Re: Margaret Access?
Post by: HntnFsh on July 09, 2011, 07:24:46 AM
I think some people may some misinformation. It is up the disgression of the guard to let you in or not. If it closed for fire danger they will not let you in. I took an elk in the winston (early archery) a few years ago and they would not let us in to retrieve it. We walked in and they said no one was allowed in there do to fire danger so I was on my own. With the tag you have you shouldn't have any problems getting in. It just early season that is the problem with the temps. Some of the margaret is private but not all of it, but the area that is private is prime elk country.  :bash:

If it was closed for fire danger I'm amazed you didnt get a criminal trespass ticket.
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