Where did the PLHO units go?

[McCRIZZLEY]

Getting a late start on my desktop scouting this year, and noticed that OnX no longer listed all the PLHO units I unfortunately find myself frequenting.

Thinking something was wrong, I hopped on WDFW's website and can't find any info about the PLHO units either.

Google searching is only resulting in outdated pages, and even my bookmarks re-navigate me.

I drive by a few on my way to work daily, and they still seem like they're getting active attention. One even has current construction.

Am I missing something? Did we lose these Public Land opportunities, or are they getting re-structured somehow? Who's got the inside info?

[run870]

OnX crawls the WDFW site for PLHO as it's seasonal. Example, cut cornfields won't show up online (and by extension onX) until a blind is put in, the department confirms with the landowner etc.

At least for waterfowl on the west side many don't show up until they are huntable, often after the season opens.

[McCRIZZLEY]

I had a hunch it worked similar to that. I'm new the NW corner of the state so still learning these systems. They were up online before this time last season, but I'll be patient and settle in.

Thanks for the info!

[ducks4days]

I had a hunch it worked similar to that. I'm new the NW corner of the state so still learning these systems. They were up online before this time last season, but I'll be patient and settle in.

Thanks for the info!

Rob Wingard was the private lands biologist who ran the PLHO program for region 4 for the last ~9 years. He was promoted last year and is now managing all WDFW lands for the north puget sound. IDK if he is continuing to do both or if he hired somebody to backfill his old spot, but he is going to be at the WWA Seattle chapter meeting on 10/30 to field questions about the program and properties. If you have questions and want to learn the system better, showing up to get your info from the horses mouth would be a great way to do it.

[high_hunter]

Rob was great in that role and glad to see him move up. I believe someone has backfilled based on a conversation I had with him last fall. If that's changed again then he's likely still wearing several hats and that may be why there is a delay.

These areas change yearly and the department updates once landowner agreements are in place and continue to update their site throughout the season.  I'm not seeing the Region 4 units either right now on OnX or WDFW but will check back periodically: https://privatelands.wdfw.wa.gov/private_lands/search.php

Thanks,
HH

[Stein]

I was just about to post the same question.  I know there are delays to some locations every year to account for ag activity, but it seems like very few are up and some that have zero ag on them aren't even up yet.

I guess they have finally figured out how to prevent double and triple booking.   

[PatoLoco]

I heard from one of the Skagit private lands guys that there has been a delay in getting them posted to the website, but if the parking lot post/signs/survey box is up, the site is open.

[Skagit7]

They have a new guy, or more of a returning guy, back in Robs old job Brandon Roozen. From what I understand he was the one who originally started the feel free to hunt program. Combination of him just coming on board, new company taking over website updates, and farmers a little delayed in taking crops off this year but sites will start opening soon.

[Stein]

Last I heard the state insisted they run the website internally which was the excuse for the problems for the last 8 years or so.  Hopefully this guy is open to suggestions on how to improve the program.

[Dansk]

In SE WA and had the same issue with onx this week.  I then drove to the site and found brand new wdfw FFTH signs were up on these PLHO properties and also found some new ones - none of them were shown as PLHO on Onx. Went to wdfw website and found the properties all listed accurately as open to hunt. Tripple checked- but were none shown that way on OnX.  Recco you check wdfw mapping page- not sure why onx is not accurate, but big concern if onx shows as ffth if it's actually not.  Prob worth it for all to double check your onx spots each year before you go.

[Oldguy]

Brendan Roozen was at the October meeting of Northwest Chapter WWA and said that the Register to hunt sites were open to hunting if the post and sign in box were in place.Some last year reservation sites are not available from last year but there are possible new ones this year.

[85yota]

Guides leasing these units. Essentially asking what the tax break they get or whatever, and doubling it, and selling them on the idea of not random public hunters using it.

[ducks4days]

Guides leasing these units. Essentially asking what the tax break they get or whatever, and doubling it, and selling them on the idea of not random public hunters using it.

 

The budget for WDFW to secure access is an insulting joke, the landowners that sign on literally do it out of the goodness of their hearts to promote hunting in the area.

[Stein]

I've always thought WDFW should charge $5 a reservation or some other nominal amount that would give them the ability to compete and at least not go backwards every year.  Of course that assumes they want to participate in their stated mission bullet point of maintaining and recruiting new hunters.