Hunting Washington Forum

Community => Advocacy, Agencies, Access => Topic started by: adamR on May 27, 2012, 09:29:25 PM

Title: Bethel/Oak Creek safety zone?
Post by: adamR on May 27, 2012, 09:29:25 PM: Does anyone know where I could find a map on the actual area boundaries for the "safety zone" in the eastern corner of the bethel unit? I've been hunting this area for quite awhile and have always heard of the safety zone and just stayed clear of it. Now I'm trying to get a for sure boundary on it but can't find any info in the regs, go hunt, or any other place.

question #1 is there really a safety zone or has this been a myth?
question #2 if there is a safety zone where is it and where can I see this on a map?
question #3 if there is a safety zone why would they not want to make this more known, why does no one have any info on it?

I have asked the forest service front desk rep before and all he could tell me is that it was closed, but didn't know where the lines were.
Title: Re: Bethel/Oak Creek safety zone?
Post by: jrebel on May 27, 2012, 09:55:18 PM: Not sure of what you are calling / considering a saftey zone? They do have roads closed this time of the year do to migration. They are usually clearly marked and they will ticket you for being back there. The one road I know for sure is on the east end of bethel ridge accessed off the little rattlesnake. Hope this helps, if Not I am interested to hear others responses so I can learn somthing new.

Johnny
Title: Re: Bethel/Oak Creek safety zone?
Post by: adamR on May 28, 2012, 07:54:42 AM: I know of the area that is closed for wintering. The area I'm referring to would be from the "Y" to cougar canyon and over towards the oak creek feeding station. I guess the reason I'm curious is because I've never seen rigs that low during hunting season and like I said I pulled into the ranger station once and asked Doug, the front desk guy who seems like quite the tree hugger, and he told me you couldn't hunt any of that area.

I've always been a little sceptical of his "opinion" on this area and it appears it might have been bs so I'll have to find out for sure from the game dept.
Title: Re: Bethel/Oak Creek safety zone?
Post by: gasman on May 28, 2012, 02:38:08 PM: As far as I know there is no official "Safety Zone" for hunting in that area. :dunno:

No you can not hunt around the buildings at the feed station, but the feed station its self is hunt able during hunting season.

I remember years ago there was rumor that you were not allowed to hunt in the feed station and it was considered a "Safety Zone" for the elk. I have heard of guys hunting the property boundary and or fence line that seperates the feedstation in hopes to get an elk before it reaches the feed station :dunno:

Like I said, all unconfirmed rumors from years ago.
Title: Re: Bethel/Oak Creek safety zone?
Post by: hughjorgan on May 28, 2012, 02:56:39 PM: Have you gotten a hold of someone at WDFW or a game warden, correct me if I am wrong but I thought oak creek is state land. Asking some one that works for the usfs would seem counter productive if it isn't federal land.
Title: Re: Bethel/Oak Creek safety zone?
Post by: runamuk on May 28, 2012, 03:08:51 PM: Usually a safety zone will be posted with huge signs that say... no hunting in this are or no discharge of firearms within a 1/2 mile or whatever the designated area is, there are a couple very popular camping zones over here (kittitas county) that are clearly marked with huge signs and it is very clear what/where the safety zone is :dunno: this is one of the few areas I have seen it and you cant miss it its near a lake.
Title: Re: Bethel/Oak Creek safety zone?
Post by: adamR on May 28, 2012, 08:26:24 PM: The only reason I asked the guy at the ranger station was I worked there and I was just about to get off work and was walking through the building, otherwise I never would have asked there.

It sounds like I got on the rumor mil and never got off but I will still call the game dept and find out for sure.
thanks for your help
Title: Re: Bethel/Oak Creek safety zone?
Post by: bobcat on May 28, 2012, 09:23:55 PM: I'd call the manager of the Oak Creek Wildlife Area. Name and phone number can be found here: http://wdfw.wa.gov/lands/wildlife_areas/oak_creek/
Title: Re: Bethel/Oak Creek safety zone?
Post by: Slenk on May 29, 2012, 03:23:39 PM: Quote from: adamR on May 27, 2012, 09:29:25 PM
Does anyone know where I could find a map on the actual area boundaries for the "safety zone" in the eastern corner of the bethel unit? I've been hunting this area for quite awhile and have always heard of the safety zone and just stayed clear of it. Now I'm trying to get a for sure boundary on it but can't find any info in the regs, go hunt, or any other place.

question #1 is there really a safety zone or has this been a myth?
Yes there is.

question #2 if there is a safety zone where is it and where can I see this on a map?
question #3 if there is a safety zone why would they not want to make this more known, why does no one have any info on it?

It is posted up the hill behind the feeding station.

I have asked the forest service front desk rep before and all he could tell me is that it was closed, but didn't know where the lines were.
Title: Re: Bethel/Oak Creek safety zone?
Post by: huntandjeep on June 01, 2012, 07:49:31 PM: Yes there is an actual safety zone. They put up the signs a week before the general rifle elk season. If you drive threw the gate at Oak Creek once you get on top (maybe a mile or so) you will see two fence posts. That is where it starts and runs south towards White Pass. And north towards Chinook Pass and Cougar Canyon. There is no map but you can clearly see the fence posts running the top of the Ridge.