Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Elk Hunting => Topic started by: Mr T on September 14, 2011, 03:47:45 PM

Title: Any hope for the Margaret Unit?
Post by: Mr T on September 14, 2011, 03:47:45 PM: I did some research, planning, and a little scouting. However, it was not enough because I never planned for WEYCO to close down the St Helens Tree Farm. So do I just stay depressed for now and begin try and get hopeful for the late season in December?
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH :bash:
Title: Re: Any hope for the Margaret Unit?
Post by: bobcat on September 14, 2011, 03:51:37 PM: There's quite a bit of public land in the east end of the unit. Why don't you try that? I believe access would be out of Randle.
Title: Re: Any hope for the Margaret Unit?
Post by: JPhelps on September 14, 2011, 03:52:11 PM: There is some really good hunting on the forest service land. :tup:
Title: Re: Any hope for the Margaret Unit?
Post by: Bigshooter on September 14, 2011, 03:55:32 PM: Quote from: bobcat on September 14, 2011, 03:51:37 PM
There's quite a bit of public land in the east end of the unit. Why don't you try that? I believe access would be out of Randle.

Bobcat do you know how to access the NF out of Randle?
Title: Re: Any hope for the Margaret Unit?
Post by: Mr T on September 14, 2011, 03:56:36 PM: Quote from: Bigshooter on September 14, 2011, 03:55:32 PM
Quote from: bobcat on September 14, 2011, 03:51:37 PM
There's quite a bit of public land in the east end of the unit. Why don't you try that? I believe access would be out of Randle.

Bobcat do you know how to access the NF out of Randle?

2nd that question
Title: Re: Any hope for the Margaret Unit?
Post by: bobcat on September 14, 2011, 03:58:20 PM: Quote
Bobcat do you know how to access the NF out of Randle?

I think you or someone else knows better than I, so I'll wait for someone with more knowledge to answer that. All I know is I wouldn't give up on that Margaret permit just because Weyerhaeuser is closed.
Title: Re: Any hope for the Margaret Unit?
Post by: Mr T on September 14, 2011, 04:03:13 PM: Quote from: bobcat on September 14, 2011, 03:58:20 PM
Quote
Bobcat do you know how to access the NF out of Randle?

I think you or someone else knows better than I, so I'll wait for someone with more knowledge to answer that. All I know is I wouldn't give up on that Margaret permit just because Weyerhaeuser is closed.

Trying not to............... we will see. Thank you for the input. Much appreciated
Title: Re: Any hope for the Margaret Unit?
Post by: bobcat on September 14, 2011, 04:04:30 PM: Forest Service road #26 will get you to the eastern boundary of the Margaret unit. I just don't know how far you may have to hike from there to get into elk.
Title: Re: Any hope for the Margaret Unit?
Post by: Mr T on September 14, 2011, 04:12:56 PM: Yes, it appears there is a small sliver of land that is within the unit that is outside of the monument boundary..... To be pessimistic I bet every tag holder is bunched up there....to be optimistic, there is possibly some land to get into for the tag
Title: Re: Any hope for the Margaret Unit?
Post by: bobcat on September 14, 2011, 04:13:57 PM: If nothing else, you can at least go on camping trip and get some exercise. :dunno:
Title: Re: Any hope for the Margaret Unit?
Post by: BENCHLEG on September 14, 2011, 04:16:35 PM: take the 25 south to the 99 and go west to the 26 take a right. the 26 is gated from the south lasr time i checked.
Title: Re: Any hope for the Margaret Unit?
Post by: Mr T on September 14, 2011, 04:18:29 PM: Quote from: bobcat on September 14, 2011, 04:13:57 PM
If nothing else, you can at least go on camping trip and get some exercise. :dunno:

More optimism...I like it....I need a little of that
Title: Re: Any hope for the Margaret Unit?
Post by: Bigshooter on September 14, 2011, 04:18:45 PM: Quote from: bobcat on September 14, 2011, 04:04:30 PM
Forest Service road #26 will get you to the eastern boundary of the Margaret unit. I just don't know how far you may have to hike from there to get into elk.

I wasn't trying to show you up or something. Just wanted to see if you knew a different way than me.
Title: Re: Any hope for the Margaret Unit?
Post by: Bigshooter on September 14, 2011, 04:23:51 PM: Mr. T,
Get a map and find the 26rd and then find the 2612 rd. Those roads along with the green river are some of the boundaries that make up the north east corner of the unit. Its going to be a hiking show. Make sure and stay out of the Loo-Wit.
Title: Re: Any hope for the Margaret Unit?
Post by: bobcat on September 14, 2011, 04:25:35 PM: Quote
I wasn't trying to show you up or something. Just wanted to see if you knew a different way than me.

No, I only know of the one way. I've never been lucky enough to draw a Margaret permit, so I'm only going by what I've heard from others. I have been up there a few times but never to hunt elk.
Title: Re: Any hope for the Margaret Unit?
Post by: Huntbear on September 14, 2011, 04:27:12 PM: The 26 has a big wash out ... might want to check with the forest service ... the 25 is still open around to the 99
Title: Re: Any hope for the Margaret Unit?
Post by: Bigshooter on September 14, 2011, 04:28:21 PM: Quote from: bobcat on September 14, 2011, 04:25:35 PM
Quote
I wasn't trying to show you up or something. Just wanted to see if you knew a different way than me.

No, I only know of the one way. I've never been lucky enough to draw a Margaret permit, so I'm only going by what I've heard from others. I have been up there a few times but never to hunt elk.

I lucked out and drew a margaret muzzy cow tag this year. I hope this isn't how I have to hunt the unit. I don't want to have to pack a cow out very far. :chuckle:
Title: Re: Any hope for the Margaret Unit?
Post by: Bigshooter on September 14, 2011, 04:30:05 PM: Quote from: Huntbear on September 14, 2011, 04:27:12 PM
The 26 has a big wash out ... might want to check with the forest service ... the 25 is still open around to the 99

I've heard from people its open and closed. So I don't know what to believe. Have you went and looked at it this year?
Title: Re: Any hope for the Margaret Unit?
Post by: bobcat on September 14, 2011, 04:39:22 PM: Quote
I lucked out and drew a margaret muzzy cow tag this year.

Man it's not looking good for you. (sorry to say)

Temperatures are going to be a lot cooler, but I just looked at the 10 day forecast and it's just calling for a "few showers". Doesn't sound like a significant amount of precipitation to me, and that's probably what it will take for Weyerhaeuser to open it back up. Course who knows, their Pe Ell area is currently open for hunting. :dunno:

It's too bad your permit doesn't also have a late season like the archery permits do. :DOH:
Title: Re: Any hope for the Margaret Unit?
Post by: Bigshooter on September 14, 2011, 04:41:24 PM: Quote from: bobcat on September 14, 2011, 04:39:22 PM
Quote
I lucked out and drew a margaret muzzy cow tag this year.

Man it's not looking good for you. (sorry to say)

Temperatures are going to be a lot cooler, but I just looked at the 10 day forecast and it's just calling for a "few showers". Doesn't sound like a significant amount of precipitation to me, and that's probably what it will take for Weyerhaeuser to open it back up. Course who know, their Pe Ell area is currently open for hunting. :dunno:

It's too bad your permit doesn't also have a late season like the archery permits do. :DOH:

I know I keep checking the forecast every few hours hoping it will change. :chuckle:
Title: Re: Any hope for the Margaret Unit?
Post by: Huntbear on September 14, 2011, 04:45:20 PM: Have not been up there yet this year.... sorry
Title: Re: Any hope for the Margaret Unit?
Post by: Mr T on September 14, 2011, 04:46:32 PM: Pessimistic time again.......Probably gonna need snow shoes for the late hunt :o
Title: Re: Any hope for the Margaret Unit?
Post by: Bluesdude on September 14, 2011, 05:03:11 PM: MR T, PM me, I know that unit very well, esp that side of it.

Todd
Title: Re: Any hope for the Margaret Unit?
Post by: SnakeEyes on September 14, 2011, 05:14:30 PM: This is my bull from 1998 on the East side when it was shut down for fire danger.
Title: Re: Any hope for the Margaret Unit?
Post by: Bigshooter on September 14, 2011, 05:17:44 PM: Everyone that draws a Margaret or Toutle tag should look at that pic. That is a classic bull for those units. Nice bull :tup:
Title: Re: Any hope for the Margaret Unit?
Post by: Nimrod on September 14, 2011, 09:53:25 PM: That late season hunt is a really good hunt i'n the margret i would not sweat it a bit... I have never hunted it but drove some rds on the late season and the elk are all piled up i'n the rds looking for feed...
Title: Re: Any hope for the Margaret Unit?
Post by: BENCHLEG on September 14, 2011, 10:24:26 PM: when in doubt camo out. enough said. :chuckle: :chuckle:
Title: Re: Any hope for the Margaret Unit?
Post by: Arteman on September 15, 2011, 01:22:11 AM: Was up spirit lake highway this last weekend, only went as far as hoffstadt bridge though. Every gate has new orange fire danger signs so they are making it very clear. However, I never made it up to where Weco had just sold all that high country land up off the 3540, don't know who owns it now or if they allow hunting, and if they do allow hunting if its closed for fire, but something you might check into. I know its full of elk though and still the margret. When and if you get in with that cow tag your hunt will be about an hour long tops so enjoy and pop one close to the road for easy packing.
Title: Re: Any hope for the Margaret Unit?
Post by: Arteman on September 15, 2011, 01:42:17 AM: Just had an idea for you to check out, past kid valley headed up spirit lake highway there is a bridge going over the toutle just past the sediment dam road, once across the bridge there is a lot of land on the right side of the highway that is Margaret and state land also all you have to do is park right off the highway to start hunting, and don't have to cross any closed privately owned timber lands to get there, right off the pavement. Anyways, I did a lot of shed hunting all up and down along that highway this spring and was back in there a couple times, both times I seen elk.
Title: Re: Any hope for the Margaret Unit?
Post by: Arteman on September 15, 2011, 01:53:53 AM: Hahaha hey Nimrod, speaking of shed hunting, see ya at work tomorrow buddy! ;)
Title: Re: Any hope for the Margaret Unit?
Post by: Nimrod on September 15, 2011, 03:58:44 AM: Yeah i got to work sat owe well tagged out anyway... Anyhow they are giving tickets up spirit lake hwy for parking off the side of the road so bad idea.... On the other hand if i drew a margret tag i would not eat that tag.... I would pay a ticket....just a thought
Title: Re: Any hope for the Margaret Unit?
Post by: bobcat on September 15, 2011, 08:55:35 AM: Quote
Just had an idea for you to check out, past kid valley headed up spirit lake highway there is a bridge going over the toutle just past the sediment dam road, once across the bridge there is a lot of land on the right side of the highway that is Margaret and state land also all you have to do is park right off the highway to start hunting, and don't have to cross any closed privately owned timber lands to get there, right off the pavement. Anyways, I did a lot of shed hunting all up and down along that highway this spring and was back in there a couple times, both times I seen elk.
As far as I can tell, in looking at a map, you cannot get to the state land there without crossing private. In one spot it's only about 100 yards from the highway to the state land, but you're still crossing private land, and I'm assuming it's Weyerhaeuser.
Title: Re: Any hope for the Margaret Unit?
Post by: nailbender on September 15, 2011, 11:09:29 AM: Quote from: Bigshooter on September 14, 2011, 04:30:05 PM
Quote from: Huntbear on September 14, 2011, 04:27:12 PM
The 26 has a big wash out ... might want to check with the forest service ... the 25 is still open around to the 99

I've heard from people its open and closed. So I don't know what to believe. Have you went and looked at it this year?

I've the muzzy cow tag as well. I was up there two weeks ago and the 26 has a washout not much pass Ryan Lake.
Title: Re: Any hope for the Margaret Unit?
Post by: blindpig on September 15, 2011, 11:35:53 AM: Don't sweat it, I do believe the roads (some) to be driveable in Dec. See u in Dec. (cow tag)
Title: Re: Any hope for the Margaret Unit?
Post by: rsrobins on September 16, 2011, 02:10:40 PM: Back to walk in only for this weekend!! :tup:
Title: Re: Any hope for the Margaret Unit?
Post by: Arteman on September 16, 2011, 02:37:30 PM: Did they lift the fire band rsrobins?
Title: Re: Any hope for the Margaret Unit?
Post by: funkster on September 16, 2011, 02:42:20 PM: weyco land is open as of today! 1-866-636-6531 go kill some elk :drool:
Title: Re: Any hope for the Margaret Unit?
Post by: nailbender on September 16, 2011, 03:19:05 PM: Quote from: funkster on September 16, 2011, 02:42:20 PM
weyco land is open as of today! 1-866-636-6531 go kill some elk :drool:

Open to non-motorized access