Alkali report

[Bullcanyon]

My cousin and I spent the last couple days hunting the alkali unit. Seen between 70-80 deer each day. Only 4 bucks each day. Biggest was a 18" 3 point. We hunted areas 7,8,10,and 11. Seen most of the deer in 10. We went to hunt unit 6 the first day, but all you could see was fog from the ridge that drops into it. Looking at the map unit 6 looks like a good bet to find deer. That must be where all these big bucks I've heard about live.

Anyone got any thoughts on the deer in this unit?

Kris

 

[kirkl]

Its real foggy over here now, hopefully it goes away in the next few days for ya.

 

[hunterofelk]

My experience in the YTC tells me the most deer are in the south end of the post. If you ask the wildlife people they will tell you the deer are evenly distributed over the range. They also said the deer like the upper 1/3 of the ridges and hills. I found this to be true. A lot of people hunted by driving around to spot and stalk. You can cover a lot of ground that way. Many little draws and pockets can't be seen from the road, but by walking you might not see as many deer. I think the rut might be over. Maybe some does that weren't bred last month will come in season in the next week. The genetics in that herd are very good and you might see some bigger antlers. How about driving the county roads on the outskirts of Ellensburg in the evening and morning to see if any bucks are feeding in the fields and moving up the ridges and on to YTC land during the day? If you have the time and gas money and clear weather I think you'll eventually see a bigger buck. They're in there somewhere, hiding in the sagebrush. A couple of guys I talked to work on the range and they were confident about filling their tags. I wish I knew how they did. I believe I could have found an older buck than the one I killed if the weather had been clear the six days I hunted, but I had only two decent days.
Maybe go look in that canyon below the rest stop above Yakima. You might find a good buck in an area others don't want to kill one in. Then again that TA might not be open. Good luck.

 

[fishunt]

I was out in unit 1 just two days ago and saw a great buck. He was in the 25 to 27 inch range and very heavy. A little short in the backs but huge fronts. He was just what you would like to think is in every unit, but that aint the case. I had spent three days coyote hunting in the area and he was the only DEER i saw. The archery guys are going to suffer just like the rifle guys did until the fog lifts. I got draw out there about six years ago when the archers were the first hunters and the rut was full swing. What a time. We would see 15 to 25 bucks a day. Then good old wash. state shifted the seasons and now the archers are in a tuff spot.The indians put a hell of a hurt on things in the last five years to. anyway, good luck and Ill let everyone know if i see that buck again. Ill be out there again in the next couple of days.

 

[kirkl]

Kevin, whats up, This is Kirk. You see any cow elk out there.

 

[fishunt]

kirk, been on the look out for a cow for the father in law. need to find him one to keep him out of my freezer this winter. a friend of mine has land near the quilimiene. he says he will call in a month when the elk are on his land. ill get in touch. if you cant waite then you can look at hog butte in the center.also, ill be out there plenty, get me your cel and i will call if i find some.

 

[kirkl]

Kevin, sounds good, A guy showed us a new piece of ground in Kittitas that has elk on it almost everyday, Just have to catch them in the right coulee. We were 800 yards from 150-200 elk, but couldnt get any closer. Ill be hitting it hard next week up there. Did shoot a coyote at about 200 yards with my 300.

 

[fishunt]

The latest report. I was in the alkali today, units 14, 15 and 16. Saw several archery guys doing there thing. The thaw was on and the ground was right for stalking. i saw no deer only one lowly coyote and he was to fast. the next few days should be the best days for the archers.