Hunters locked out: Investment giants shut down hunting on tens of thousands of acres in Wahkiakum County

As investment companies buy lands in Wahkiakum, Pacific counties, gates go up

By: Henry Brannan

Outlets: The Columbian

Published: March 13, 2026

Words: 1,225

Last Updated: 2 days, 15 hours ago

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ELOCHOMAN RIVER VALLEY — Global investment companies have increasingly bought up tens of thousands of acres of locally treasured, longtime hunting grounds in Wahkiakum and Pacific counties — then shut down access.

The new forest owners have also blocked hunters from some state-owned land by making it impossible or nearly impossible to safely and legally access. Some land, where other private owners allow free hunting, has also been blocked.

Steve Ogden, an assistant manager for …

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