Land Access Question - OnX Maps RMEF Heart K

[ryan2202]

I have a Land Access question - The snap shot below, I've always known to be a "Stay out" area, No Hunting. As I'm going through the area this year, I find RMEF purchased this area pictured, "Heart K" and per OnX Maps, hunting is Permitted.  Anyone have any further information on this RMEF section? I have called WDFW regional office, and state office for clarification, left voicemails, but I have not had a return phone call. RMEF Website said land was purchased and gives details of preserving habitat, but does not give details able permission or access to land areas for hunting. For Reference - GMU 336 - well known area to my knowledge, highly visible from freeway - so no secret spots or anything.

[Mfowl]

That's been a refuge for as long as I can recall. If you could hunt it there would be a pile of dudes there!

[ryan2202]

That's been a refuge for as long as I can recall. If you could hunt it there would be a pile of dudes there!

I've always known it as a Stay Out and Refuge as well. OnX use to show it as a No hunting area. But this is the first year I've noticed the RMEF information.  There would be A LOT of people - but I'm just looking for clarification if anyone has information on the RMEF land purchase and use?

[ballpark]

Mine shows Washington Dept of Fish & Wildlife (290.37 acres), part of L.T. Murray Wildlife Area.

[ryan2202]

Mine shows Washington Dept of Fish & Wildlife (290.37 acres), part of L.T. Murray Wildlife Area.

Do you have the Land & Access RMEF filter on, in OnX?

[ballpark]

Mine shows Washington Dept of Fish & Wildlife (290.37 acres), part of L.T. Murray Wildlife Area.

Do you have the Land & Access RMEF filter on, in OnX?

I do now    Heart K RMEF Access Permitted YES, Hunting Permitted YES

[ryan2202]

Mine shows Washington Dept of Fish & Wildlife (290.37 acres), part of L.T. Murray Wildlife Area.

Do you have the Land & Access RMEF filter on, in OnX?

I do now    Heart K RMEF Access Permitted YES, Hunting Permitted YES

I'm trying to understand MORE about this however - There are BLM signs still up that say property of US Government, no Access.  OnX is saying exactly what you said....I was hoping for someone from WDFW to clarify, and they haven't gotten back to me yet ( I called Sunday and left a Voicemail). So....knowing its been a refuge area for sooooo long, makes me nervous to poke around still.

[LDennis24]

Don't rely in OnX for anything other than someone to contact for permission. Their borders and property info can be incorrect and is not a legal defense for your mistake.

[ballpark]

Do you have any info to add about his question?

[ryan2202]

Don't rely in OnX for anything other than someone to contact for permission. Their borders and property info can be incorrect and is not a legal defense for your mistake.

While I agree with part of what you're saying - it can be used legally against you, in public land cases - case in point, there is one that has made national headlines over the past couple years.

OnX has saved my butt more than a couple times, when I hunt areas where "locals" think they know the area. So my question still stands - Does anyone have information on the RMEF Heart K area; listed as access permissible and hunting permissible....what use to be stay out area for refuge - no longer shows this.

[ballpark]

One of RMEF mission statements is gaining land access for hunting.     All the BLM land around says Heart K hunting permitted also.  F&G Phone 509-575-2740

[ryan2202]

One of RMEF mission statements is gaining land access for hunting.     All the BLM land around says Heart K hunting permitted also.  F&G Phone 509-575-2740

That's the number I've called....left a voicemail....no return yet.

[ballpark]

One of RMEF mission statements is gaining land access for hunting.     All the BLM land around says Heart K hunting permitted also.  F&G Phone 509-575-2740

That's the number I've called....left a voicemail....no return yet.

Michael.Livingston@dfw.wa.gov (Region 3 Director)

[ryan2202]

One of RMEF mission statements is gaining land access for hunting.     All the BLM land around says Heart K hunting permitted also.  F&G Phone 509-575-2740

That's the number I've called....left a voicemail....no return yet.

Michael.Livingston@dfw.wa.gov (Region 3 Director)

Thanks! Email sent - I'll post something if/when I get a response.

[MADMAX]

Years ago I was in there with a warden
Where the bridge goes over the irrigation canal
Cow had come down from the top in the canal
Had 2 broken legs
We were archery hunting and heading home
Saw here in the water wanted to shoot her she was alert and obviously hurt
Called state patrol- they called a warden to meet us
He shot the cow and let us tag her
As we were finishing her up guys came in and they were actively hunting it
It was well posted that’s why we called
Didn’t want the ticket
For what it’s worth

[ballpark]

One of RMEF mission statements is gaining land access for hunting.     All the BLM land around says Heart K hunting permitted also.  F&G Phone 509-575-2740

That's the number I've called....left a voicemail....no return yet.

Sent you a PM

Michael.Livingston@dfw.wa.gov (Region 3 Director)

Thanks! Email sent - I'll post something if/when I get a response.

[/quote]
Sent you a PM

[ryan2202]

Years ago I was in there with a warden
Where the bridge goes over the irrigation canal
Cow had come down from the top in the canal
Had 2 broken legs
We were archery hunting and heading home
Saw here in the water wanted to shoot her she was alert and obviously hurt
Called state patrol- they called a warden to meet us
He shot the cow and let us tag her
As we were finishing her up guys came in and they were actively hunting it
It was well posted that’s why we called
Didn’t want the ticket
For what it’s worth

That was a smart choice! The ticket is the best case scenario hunting an area that is closed and marked as no hunting/no access. Getting mixed signals from reliable resources as well is never fun either - so i'd rather try and chase down what's right, before diving in head first - in this type of situation.

[MADMAX]

Yea that’s a no chit
Good luck in your info search
We asked the warden he said it was being sold
We knocked on doors and got “I just live here I don’t know”
We tried and never got a straight answer
So I just drive on by and head up to Frost Mt

[LDennis24]

Do you have any info to add about his question?

Sure, the land was acquired in 2021 from Heart K for public access improvements and to hold in trust for future generations to gain public access.  Hunting has always been allowed on the L.T. Murray wildlife area.  And all I did was a Google search. 

And lastly,

Don't rely on OnX for anything other than someone to contact for permission. Their borders and property info can be incorrect and is not a legal defense for your mistake.

[ryan2202]

In follow up to my inquiry - WDFW finally responded to my email. They solidified that the "Heart K" land shown belonging to RMEF is not actually huntable to public. While it is technically public land, it is not accessible currently and remains No Public Access beyond fencing. They explained how citations have been issued recently due to misunderstandings - as mentioned in a previous post, it does seem to be in some sort of public trust for future public access, with an unknown timeline. The area, is still in restoration, from the RMEF work to rehabilitate the land with natural grass lands, and eradicating invasive weeds.

While I was there during my hunt in early September, there was a gorgeous herd of Elk, with a handsome 6 point grazing through. Good to see - overall, for my hunt in that early season was unsuccessful, but between GMU 340 and 336, the elk seem fairly healthy; specifically that herd in the no public access fields held an elusive spike bull, and two true spikes, over two dozen cows and 6 to 8 calves, and of course that bull previously mentioned.  Looks like the rehabilitation of natural plant life might be paying off for healthy herd populations.

[steeleywhopper]

Don't rely in OnX for anything other than someone to contact for permission. Their borders and property info can be incorrect and is not a legal defense for your mistake.

In this case I'd trust ONX more than Id trust WDFW..