Note
to aspiring Margaret (GMU 524) and Toutle (GMU 556) elk hunters
Fred Dobler, Vancouver Regional Wildlife Biologist
These
Units (GMU 524 and 556) are open to elk hunting only by special
permit. As a result they have high harvest success rates and
provide highly sought after hunting opportunities. However
many hunters who apply and are successfully drawn are later
disappointed by problems related to access. Many of the prime
areas in these units are in private ownership and can be closed
to all access at any time for a variety of reasons. Some private
timber company roads are only opened on weekends during selected
periods. Forestry activities can close areas that have been
open, and at times closed areas are opened without notice.
Both of these actions can create changes that frustrate hunters
who have spent time scouting and planning their hunt. In the
past, fire danger has forced closures of large portions of
the area to all public access. Most recently the threat of
volcanic activity around Mt. St. Helens has led to shifting
closures of both public and private land.
Those
applying for permits in these units should be aware that the
Department cannot control accessibility in these areas, and
can guarantee neither the quality nor the opportunity of hunting
here. Many disappointed hunters have asked the Department
to refund their fees and restore their preference points when
they found the hunting experience to be limited or less satisfying
that expected, and yet others are successful and find a nice
bull to harvest. Since this state of affairs is now a long
standing condition for elk hunting in these two units, we
encourage that all applicants consider the risks along with
the gains before choosing to apply in GMU 524 or 556.
Editor’s
note: This is true for many units that contain large amounts
of private land. The general rule is don’t apply unless
you know what to expect and/or are willing to accept the consequences.
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