NASELLE Accessing local forests for hunting and other forms of recreation will, in several cases, be getting more expensive.

Last week, Rayonier Corp. announced a new permit program for hunting and recreation access on 46,000 acres near Grays River in Pacific County.

    Rayonier will sell 175 permits to enter its 31,000-acre Fossil Creek area from Aug. 15 through Dec. 31 for a flat fee of $225. Hunters also can bid for 30 entry permits to the 15,000-acre Salmon Creek area online at www.eBay.com. At the end of the bidding period, whoever has offered the most money will get the permit.

  The countys largest private timberland owner, Weyerhaeuser, continues to allow free access to its coastal Washington properties when compatible with forestry operations and subject to a variety of rules. For example, no fires or camping are allowed on Weyco lands at any time, including hunting season. To review rules for each location you intend to visit, see www.tinyurl.com/6gvmcb7 or call toll free 866-636-6531.

 

State lands

Technically if you drive through DNR land on a road that is not intermingled with other road systems, you need a Discover Pass, Department of Natural Resources Recreation Program Manager Mark Mauren said. We have instructed our enforcement officials to only check for a Discover Pass if you are parked and using DNR lands for recreation.

Mauren explained, We are going to try to make DNR land relevant to those using it for recreation. We feel now there is a partnership and we want people to feel good about their visit and feel like they have gotten their moneys worth. There will now be more funds available for more trails and facilities.

Improvements to Tunerville near Naselle and to the Elk Creek area are local DNR projects in the works that have been sponsored by Rep. Brian Blake. The Discover Pass costs $35 for a year or $11.50 for a day and can be purchased at one of nearly 600 sporting goods or other retail stores that sell hunting and fishing licenses. It will also be available for purchase online at www.fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov or by phone at 866-320-9933.

There is a program where a person can volunteer 24 hours of service to an approved DNR or State Parks project and earn a Discover Pass. Discover Passes may also be purchased without processing fees for $30 or $10 at some State Parks.  

In other Discover Pass news, Ilwaco Mayor Mike Cassinelli said Tuesday that City Hall personnel are receiving complaints from people who have received tickets for parking at the Beards Hollow Overlook without Discover Passes. The mayor says formal legal title to the land has not been transferred from the city to State Parks yet, so he cant figure out why State Parks is requiring use of the $10 daily vehicle-access permits at the overlook at this time.

 

Rayonier details

For the past three years, Rayonier has been leasing parcels to groups of hunters in Grays Harbor County. The leases range in price from $1,317 for 567 acres to $4,124 for 4,615 acres. Clubs get exclusive use of the hunting areas for a year. Camping and all-terrain vehicles are allowed on the leased parcels.

We are pleased to introduce these new hunting permit programs on our privately owned timberlands in the Salmon Creek and Fossil Creek areas, said Eduardo Hernandez, Pacific Resource Unit manager. These permits will provide options to hunters who desire exclusive access and a superior hunting experience in the Grays River region.

Rayonier representatives said the company  will continue to offer free public access for hunting, hiking and other recreational opportunities on 300,000 acres of its lands in Washington not licensed to hunting clubs or under this permit program. In Pacific County, over 25,000 acres will still be open to free public access.

Rayonier continues to invite the public to its two parks, Promised Land Park (north of Hoquiam) and Tumbling Rapids Park (north of Forks). Both parks offer free camping, picnicking and fishing. For more information about Rayonier and its properties call toll free 855-729-4868.

Details about Salmon Creek and Fossil Creek permits are available at www.rayonierhuntingpermits.com. Rayonier owns 2.4 million acres of working forests with headquarters in Jacksonville, Fla.