Manulife Hancock Forest Lands in Oregon to become Fee Access only!

[Chris in TN]

I'm not understanding what you are trying to say I don't think?

Paying $3500 to be the 8th guy on a 500 acre lease in west central Texas with a chance to have two box blinds designated as yours and MAYBE shoot a 135-140" buck every other year is a hard no for me. Not how I like to hunt, and not a good value.

Yeah, we all like free stuff.

 

[BuckSmasher]

Yeah, we all like free stuff.

At the risk of trying to rationalize with a stranger on the internet I still don't get what you are saying?

When I lived in Texas I hunted on the National Forest in the eastern portion of the state and spent money on western hunts every year. I perceived a lot more value in spending 2k and going to Montana on an archery elk hunt on millions of acres of public land than being constrained to a small parcel closer to home for nearly twice as much and shooting a deer coming to a corn feeder.

Do you own a lease and you think you provide a good value? Maybe for your tenants you do! They don't have to drive, don't have to walk, can drive right up to what they shoot, and get to be home for supper. No shame in that. Not my cup of tea.

 

[manbugle]

Really curious about exactly where this allowed camping will be.
n addition,
dispersed camping within 300 feet of an open road is
allowed as long as campers do not block, impede or
interfere with land management activities or others use of
the open road. There is a 14-day limit on all camp sites.

 

[wapitibob]

Really curious about exactly where this allowed camping will be.
n addition,
dispersed camping within 300 feet of an open road is
allowed as long as campers do not block, impede or
interfere with land management activities or others use of
the open road. There is a 14-day limit on all camp sites.

Same places they've historically been, other than their 2 year paid camping fiasco, fire restriction dependent per usual. I did email the boss and asked about changing access to mirror the Forest Service since they were charging now and would know who was on their property; they may look at that.

https://manulifeimlanduse.com/

faq
scroll to the btm, NE Oregon

 

[repins05]

Gates may or may not stop people from getting onto grounds that require permits. However, when you purchase a permit you also receive a hang tag that is supposed to remain visible in your vehicle. People who pay $500.00 for access and see someone without a permit typically get pissed and you run the risk of getting called in. Also many drive in permits do not allow you to bring in an off road recreational vehicle like a quad or sxs. I believe Weyerhaeuser sells a permit that allows drive in and off road recreational vehicles. Those permits are very limited.

For me, sneaking around, and trying not to get caught on private property etc. isn't hunting and would take the enjoyment right out of it. This feeling would be the same regardless of a small land owner versus large. I know a lot of people don't care. I have friends that fall into the I don't care category. I have a hard time understanding this mentality.

In my opinion, from what I have seen, permits have become a big money grab. Don't get fooled by the "general public" trashing on lands etc. Yes it definitely happens and may be a part of the rationalization for being able to charge for access.....but I do not think it is the driving force. I believe, like everything else, it is the almighty dollar. It sucks, but can't blame them either.

 

[Oregon]

The 2 major timber companies in my backyard allow free access, all walk in but access nonetheless. Hope that doesn’t change. I also have a 360,000 acre state forest plug full of roads. That’s awesome, because if I walk in behind a gate and see the 5 mile marker on the tree, I know for a fact the next day my ass will be in the truck driving forest roads cause my knee will be swollen and sore!

 

[307]

Not my cup of tea.

Yeah, I'm with you. Sounds lame AF.

 

[repins05]

The vast majority of Lands in the Oregon Access and Habitat Program here in Eastern Oregon are owned by Manulife partners. This land is being pulled from the General Public Access Program and will be going to an annual access fee system effective June 1, 2026.
ODFW did offer them the highest amount in the programs history to remain in A/H. However, Manulife believes that to be only about 50% of what they will make from permit fees.

Do I like it, NO!
Howerver; as much as this sucks, I do have to say I am thankful that worse alternatives didn't happen!
They could have sold out to other private individuals who would lock it up completely!
They could have leased the hunting rights to private individuals or outfitters!
They have been hounded by prospective buyers and leasee's for years and could have given in to that for less of a headache than the program they will now be administering.

Anyways, here is the link to the Info sheet they released today:
https://mimpublicdata.blob.core.windows.net/alumimdocuments/NortheastOregonAccessPermitProgram.pdf

Permits are only for walk in ? Or did I miss something.

 

[hibernation]

Permits are only for walk in ?

Correct, the permit is for nonmotorized access.

 

[Lowedown]

Roads that have been open to public travel will remain open to public travel, roads that are closed seasonally or year round will remain so. the recreational permit allows you to get off the road and "recreate"

 

[manbugle]

I guess I need to research more where these public travel roads are. We have enough points to draw this hunt this year and will probably pull the trigger on it. I had read that camping areas were a long long ways from the gates and to expect driving a lot both in and out daily.

 

[repins05]

Will be interesting to see what gets gated and what doesn't then. Weyerhaeuser 2.0. Thought the drive in for Weyerhaeuser was expensive.

 

[OregonSteeler]

Will be interesting to see what gets gated and what doesn't then. Weyerhaeuser 2.0. Thought the drive in for Weyerhaeuser was expensive

Manu said to Weyer...."You think your permits are expensive,hold my beer!"

New we can expect Weyer prices to go up to keep up with the Manus across the street ....