German Royalty Buys 7% of Wahkiakum County Land

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An investment company co-founded by a 21st-century German prince has acquired a significant portion of land in Wahkiakum County, Washington, leading to the closure of public hunting access on those properties. This move by the timber industry giant has sparked concerns among the local community about the future of recreational activities in the area.

Why it matters

The closure of hunting lands owned by this German royal-backed investment company is part of a broader trend of timber companies restricting public access to their properties in Wahkiakum County. This raises questions about the balance between private property rights and the public's ability to enjoy natural resources, as well as the influence of foreign investors in local land use decisions.

The details

The investment company, co-founded by a 21st-century German prince, has acquired approximately 7% of the total land area in Wahkiakum County, a rural region in southwestern Washington. This purchase has led the company to shut down public hunting access on its properties, a move that has drawn criticism from local residents who have long enjoyed the ability to hunt on these lands.

• The investment company acquired the Wahkiakum County properties in early 2026.

What’s next

The local community is expected to continue to voice their concerns about the closure of hunting access and the influence of foreign investors in the region's land use decisions.