Mudflow Special Permit Hunts

The boundary for Elk Area 5099 is not signed. The boundary on the north and south side is the upland slope of the adjacent forest. The eastern boundary has a sign and fence that denotes United States Forest Service property line. WDFW suggests you use the old remnant, N-1 dam as a landmark for the western boundary of the Elk Area.

Access and Restrictions

This can be a strenuous hunt for seniors and youth. Hunters may enter the Mount St. Helens Wildlife Area before hunting hours. Senior hunters and youth hunters may use motorized vehicles to retrieve harvested elk during the hours of 12:00 noon and 2 :00 p.m., only. At other times access is limited to non-motorized means. Please do not apply for this hunt if you are not in good physical condition.

Vehicles can be parked outside the gate, north of the WDFW bridge at Bear Creek. Do not block the gate with your vehicle. Vehicles blocking the gate will be towed at the owner’s expense.

Hunters will be issued keys to the Weyerhaeuser gate at the junction of the 3100 road and SR 504. The keys must be returned at the end of your hunt.

Hunters selected for a “Hunters with Disabilities Special Elk Permit” can use motorized vehicles on the Wildlife Area during their hunt. WDFW recommends that motorized vehicle use (including off highway vehicles) be kept to a minimum to reduce disturbance to the elk and other hunters.

A maximum of 3 helpers may assist the special permit holder.

All hunters and helpers must wear hunter orange, regardless of weapon choice.

Other Information

Elk numbers on the Wildlife Area are variable, with the highest numbers occurring later in the fall. A resident herd of approximately 75 elk uses the Wildlife Area, but often leave if disturbed. A special permit does not guarantee a successful hunt.

Non-hunters may use the Mount St. Helens Wildlife Area during the hunt time frame. This is true for all WDFW Wildlife Areas. Hunt safely! Other users may not be wearing hunter orange.

The Department may ask you to collect parts of your elk for a body condition study. Please read the directions carefully, all the parts are needed to make a complete sample for analysis.

The North Toutle river runs at very high velocities and crossing the river to hunt is not safe. WDFW strongly recommends that hunters do not shoot elk across the river or attempt to hunt animals across the river.