I was wondering if anyone had any information or experience on the Yakima firing range? My son drew a permit for the Mulie Buck Hunt and I would appreciate any tips or information....Thanks.......Les

i'm jealous. thats all i know. thats a good hunt to look forward to with your son.
have you posted on monster muleys dot com?
you should get some good info there.
i don't know anything specific about that unit, sorry

Didn't someone else have that tag as well...maybe Fisherdan? Can't remember.

I was on the YTC in late August helping an AHE buddy look for cow elk. Also hunted it last February for the same hunt (the AHE cow hunt lasts from August through March).

The unit is WIDE open - basically no trees except for the few places where there is water. It's pretty much all hilly sage/grasslands.

I've heard there are some big bucks in there, although can't say I've seen more than does (it was 95 degrees out when we were there in August, so no surprise there). Each harvested animal needs to be recorded on the log at the MP's station, and I recall there being something like a 12x13 buck recorded last year.

My advice - get over there and scout. Get some great optics (if you don't have already) and do lots of glassing (this is definitely a spot and stalk area). Be nice to the MP's at the check-in station. These guys talk to every hunter going in and out and drive the areas themselves, so they know where the animals are. You might also ask the MP's to check out last year's harvest log, which would give you an idea of what area on the YTC people are hunting and finding deer (the YTC is divided into 16 areas, I believe, and you can hunt 3 at any given time).

Yep, I drew that tag...... :-)

Did your son draw modern rifle? It's the most open country imaginable, so prep for pronghorn-style hunting. I'd suggest your son practice with shooting sticks to at least 200 yards.

HINT: Make 100% sure you have proof of current insurance, registration and drivers license or you don't get past the MPs. Period.

Here's the website to the Yakima Training Center:
> http://www.lewis.army.mil/yakima/

This website has some really good info about the place in general, but also about the hunting. They record every deer taken, and you can review last years results. That should tell you which Trianing Areas are worth your scouting time.

Also, cel phones work on top of most ridges, so you can call the MPs to change TAs rather than having to drive back to the gate.

I'm no expert on the place, but the website info should point you in the right direction.

Les,
feel free to PM me. If I can help I will. I'm also willing to share some info after the first day or two. I think I've located what I'm after, and assuming I connect, I'd be happy to share the spots I've located that seem promising.

APE,
I've been out AHE for elk, but haven't seen anything that resembles elk sign. I'm not looking for GPS coordinates or anything, but are you guys seeing anything that resembles elk or elk sign? Feel free to PM me if you prefer.

Thanks,

Dan

My dad and I both shot elk opening day this year on YTC. I scouted the day before and then hunted the first day and I saw some big muleys both days. I saw a very high percentage of bucks, probably approaching 50%. Not all were big but I saw a number that were at least 4X4. A couple, two in particular, were wide, heavy, and tall.

Thanks to you all for replying. FisherDan...My son has a modern rifle tag as I assume you must have. I will try to pm you and stay in touch and no problem not giving your scouting info until you score but I would appreciate the help after.Thanks..... WSU....What were the area's you were hunting the Elk that you saw the Bucks in, If I might ask? I believe each area is designated with a name or number. I am planning on scouting this saturday and I need some grids to begin with. On another note to you WSU....my son just graduated from WSU last semester and he is a "Coug" too so your giving a good man information. Ya gotta Love those "Cougs". Thanks to all......Les

Les, PM sent

WSU, I PM'd you - I think.

Just a note to let you all know We went over Chinook yesterday to scout the few areas that were supposed to be open according to the web-site BUT low and behold they had decided to close the entire training area about an hour before we got the the MP gate. Not a wasted trip though as we have jumped through all of the hoops and I did get maps and all the paperwork for registering the rifle so the next scouting trip we will be all ready to go. WSU, I tried sending you a message to your e-mail but not sure you got it....I'm still figuring out this PM deal....and FisherDan we will probably just be staying at a motel in Yakima but thanks for the information about base lodging. I really appreciate all the information I have gotten on here and from some others I know that have hunted there before. I will let you all know how the scouting and the hunt goes and possibly next year YOU will have a tag and Maybe I can be of some help to you......Les

Dan, PM sent.

Thanks, WSU. I renounce all ties to the Huskies.... for the moment.

Les, I'm getting a little more excited about this tag. I'll PM you my cel phone number, and we can compare notes over there if you like.