WDFW partners with Weyerhaeuser Company to open 6,638 acres of forest for hunters

October 23, 2019 4:30 pm
COURTESY PHOTO More than 6,000 acres spanning Pacific, Cowlitz and Wahkiakum counties have been opened to free hunting access through an agreement between the Weyerhaeuser Company and the Department of Fish and Wildlife.
COURTESY PHOTO More than 6,000 acres spanning Pacific, Cowlitz and Wahkiakum counties have been opened to free hunting access through an agreement between the Weyerhaeuser Company and the Department of Fish and Wildlife.

The Weyerhaeuser Company enrolled 6,638 acres in the Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Private Lands Access program this summer and the department has opened this section of forest — referred to as the Cathlamet block spanning Cowlitz, Pacific and Wahkiakum counties — to free public hunting access this year.

“We are excited that Weyerhaeuser Company has chosen to provide free public hunting access on these parcels,” said Kessina Lee, Fish and Wildlife Region 5 Director. “This greatly expands portions of their property for hunting opportunities for our southwest Washington hunters and those who visit from around the state.”

All the parcels in the Cathlamet block are adjacent to Department of Natural Resources lands.

“We’ve seen deer, elk, and black bear on this property,” Lee added. “We’re hoping our hunters and recreationists enjoy quality outdoor time in this forest.”

The access site is now open for all hunting seasons. Hunters are not required to have a Weyerhaeuser Company Access Permit to hunt on this property. Some areas of the land are not accessible by road, and there are some areas marked non-motorized access.

“Weyerhaeuser is pleased to offer the opportunity for hunters to recreate on our tree farms,” said Jammer Free, Weyerhaeuser Area Manager. “While our recreation program already offers a diversity of permitted, leased, and open access options for getting outdoors, this new partnership with WDFW will expand recreationists’ opportunity to safely experience our timberlands and its wildlife inhabitants on 6,000 acres of scenic Weyerhaeuser working forest.”

Anyone using the site must follow Weyerhaeuser Company’s access rules posted at http://www.weyerhaeuser.com/recreational-access/northwest-region/faqs/.

The Fish and Wildlife Private Lands Access program allows the department to secure public hunter access on private lands. In 2018, the department had 1.3 million acres of private lands available for hunters to use. Through agreements with private landowners, the department has secured thousands of acres of private land for Feel Free to Hunt, Register to Hunt, Hunt By Written Permission, or Hunt By Reservation access. For more information on the Private Lands Access program visit http://wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/locations/private-lands#.