Got drawn for Alkali any buck!

hunterofelk · Jul 20, 2005

I applied for the only hunt with a time frame I could fit in my work schedule and it worked! Since the hunt is on the Yakima Firing Range, I have no knowledge of the area. Do any of you Washington hunters have some experience or advice for me? Will I be given the run of the place or sent to specific areas? This hunt will be a bright spot in the near future!

ridgerunner · Jul 20, 2005

There are some big bucks out there, I've seen pics of some jawdroppers. Awhile ago on this board there were some guys who have had the tag, don't know if they are still around. You can get in there and prescout, I'd do that for sure. Good luck and congrats on the tag.

peregrine · Jul 20, 2005

Congrats on the tag. I have never hunted deer on the firing center, however a few yrs back we spent some time in there flyin hawks on Jackrabbits. Each time we hunted it, we had to check in at the gate. The areas we had access to changed from time to time. Hopefully they will be able to tell you now where you will have access during the hunt. Their are some great deer in there. goodluck. Tad

fletch · Jul 21, 2005

I sent you a pm

MikeLonsford · Jul 21, 2005

I hunted deer there long ago when I was in high school. I have a good friend that got his first deer there while we were in college. His Dad used to be the man in charge of the post in the late 80's. I'll talk to him and see if he has any pointers. We hunted it when it was a regular season and we had to go to these meetings in the early AM so you could know where you were allowed to hunt. Don't know if that is the same or not. We were hunting and it sounded like rolling thunder in the next valley over (it was probably farther but sounded REAL close) when a large tank unit was doing target practice.

time2hunt · Jul 21, 2005

I was drawn for that tag in 2001, You have to watch a 20 minute video,have your driver license and proof of insurance with you.Next take 2 spare tires you will need them, still some dandy bucks out there get out and cover country lots of roads, look at the map they give and find the section that don't have lots of roads acess and hike start high work down the ridge lines have some one pick you up in the bottoms. lots of road hunters shooting first deer they see.Have good optics and long range rifle and good luck.Have fun Brian

hunterofelk · Jul 22, 2005

Thanks for the help! I hope I can find a mature and well fed buck.

MikeLonsford · Aug 1, 2005

I sent an email to my friend's dad and this was his response. Hope it gives you a start, or an idea of what to expect. He actually drew an any elk tag for the same unit this year. Depending on my hunting schedule, I may go help scout for him, if I do I'll let you know what I see.

"Most people who hunt Yakima road hunt, which obviously handicaps you considerably. Will anyone be going with him to help drag one out of the canyons? Normally the big bucks would be hanging out on the slopes as you guessed, but it'll be rut so the biggest ones will be harassing the does. The benches are probably the best bets in the late morning and early afternoon as they'll need a little rest before the next nights frolic. 4wd is absolutely essential, even for the road hunters in the best areas. There are off road restrictions though so there could still be a considerable pack involved."

Sounds like you need to call and see what the post restrictions will be, if they would even know that far in advance. See if they can send you any topo or post road maps. All I remember was lots of really long ridges that ran down to the Columbia River. Very open on the tops (short sagey cover) and some cover in the steeper gullys between ridges.

Good Luck
Mike

MikeLonsford · Aug 1, 2005

From a later email, he added the following:

"There are some brutes on Hanford alright, elk and deer. Fortunately they tend to wander over to the Firing Center from time to time. The elk population there is growing I'm told. It was very spotty when we lived over there. Ours are 3 of only 25 permits. Talking to the range crew it appears our modern firearm schedule access is going to be pretty good, much better than the muzzle loader season. The whole Firing Center is by permit only for big game now so not a lot of pressure. Deer are more widely dispersed so even if one of the better areas is closed there are good alternatives. There will be a website on a card the army sends permit holders that should help. The biggest thing is to allow time to see the safety video and get his rifle registered.

We'll know more about the deer after our elk hunt."

Again, Good Luck

Mike

MikeLonsford · Aug 2, 2005

He also sent me this:

http://www.lewis.army.mil/yakima/Main.htm

Well above average website. FAQ section is particularly informative.

The website for the Firing Center.

Hope this helps.

Mike

hunterofelk · Aug 2, 2005

Thanks, you've been very helpful. I hope your friend's dad gets a good one. I see by the harvest data last year, someone got a 7x8 bull elk. I hope to check out the country. Hopefully there are no fire restrictions this fall.