Well looks like next year there will be a big difference for all three of the tree farms owned by Hancock (Snoqualmie, White River, and Kapowsin Tree Farms). The tree farms will now be open year round except July 4th and any fire closures. In prior years they were open mid-March till mid-December. The cost to purchase the access permit too enter the farms are also different. Both Snoqualmie and White River cost will rise from $165 to $200 for 2007. While Kapowsin will lower from $365 to $300. There will also be a maximum number of permits issued. 1,200 for Kapowsin. And 500 each for Snoqualmie and White River. The change that probably dissapoints me the most is that Snoqualmie and White River now require one permit for each family, a family is defined as married spouses and their children under 19 years old. So you can no longer go up there with your buddies, unless they also get permits. In the past permits were issued to vehicles, not people. Any thoughts on this?

ouch, that is too rich for my blood.

I heard rumors the Muckleshoots are interested in buying part of Hancock. Again a rumor. has anyone else heard this. I think it would still be open but managed by the tribe.

Well I doubt that they will buy part of Hancock since the company is part of the well-known John Hancock Finanial company. But I can see them buying part of the White River Tree Farm near Enumclaw, because they often hunt there.

The Muckleshoots were the 2nd highest bidder on the White River Tree Farm when Weyerhaeuser sold it off. Hancock has traditionally bought up land and usually "Creams" it of all of the market-able timber and then sells it off in 7 to 10 years. If you know the White River Tree Farm and have been there recently you would realize that Hancock has logged at least as twice as much as Weyerhaeuser would have in the last 4 years since the sale. I hauled logs off of the farm for 27 years before the sale and have hunted up there since so I know. They will sell it off in the next 5 or 6 years and the Muckleshoots are standing there with the money to buy it as they now have more money then God. Who knows if they will sell "Squaw" permits but if they do it won't be worth it anyway. I have paid the $165 the last few years to hunt there but its not worth the $200 per person as it would now cost my son and I $400. Its getting to be a sad state of affairs with all the private tracts and the cost of hunting....Good Luck........Les

i heard that also. sence they killed off most everything in green water area they need new killing grounds.