Alkali area elk help needed?

[wannahunt]

I am planning to hunt the Alkali area fro cow elk. I have only been in the unit once time in the southern part of the Yakima Training Center. Any idea's on were to start looking? The AHE hunt starts August 1st and goes to the end of January. Thanks

[Cascade]

Try the ellensburg side near badger pocket or hanson creek area.

[wackmaster]

Also try the southeast side area 8 find the water to find the elk .Good Luck

[jdb]

biggest bull Ive ever seen in the wild I saw just off the south fence in '99 it twas a pig.

[boneaddict]

I went in on the Badger pocket side and accidentally got to where I wasn't supposed to be on the Firing Center.  We figured it out and turned around immediately.  On the way out we came up over a rise and met an Apache helicopter face to face hovering over the road.  Scared teh crap out of us.  Nothing like looking down a half dozen or more gun turrents.  I'm sure they got a kick out of that.  Needless to say we got the hell out of there upon request.

Saw a GIANT bull taken out of there two years ago that was shot with a front stuffer.  I have no idea where,.

[wannahunt]

I guess I'll flip a coin and either start up north or down south and see what happens. I'll also be watching out for those Apache Helicopter's. Don't need them following me around unless they are going to spot elk for me.    That would be ok.

[boneaddict]

That sure scared the crap out of two college boys.  I hope thats what one of them Iraqis feel like in the last seconds of their lives.

[arrowflinger]

Dude- Let me know when I need to get that pack boards and mule ready...........Then off to the Margaret unit to get mind.

[wannahunt]

Well I'm gonna try to get in the first day it opens (Aug 1st) if i can get my card the evening before. The MP's don't do that part any more so I guess i have to go the the gym and the guy I talked to didn't no what hours they would be open so I may end up waiting til the gym opens on Wendsday to take see the video and get my card. Anyway I just want to get a better idea of the whole layout. I'm thinking I will take a couple of big tub's to put meat in with ice to keep it cold if I happen to stumble across a nice big cow. Any idea's from you bowhunters that have to deal with the warm weather and keeping the meat cool would be a big help also. I have probably a two and half hour drive to get it home.  

[boneaddict]

Air circulation is more important than temp in my book.  I also like to keep my meat dry, so

[smdave]

When my dad shot his last moose in Canada he stopped by my house on the way down to Seattle with the meat layed out flat in the 8'bed of his truck about 8 to 10" thick covered by some type of wrap like cheesecloth, he said the guides said it was one of the best ways to transport it if not haveing it cut and wraped. It was October if I remember right.

Dave

[high country]

in hot weather and long road trips you must quarter or at least open the hip/shoulder sockets up. you will get bone sour in the rears for sure. skin it asap.....before you drive home...block ice is a nice thing to have. I am with bone on the air circulation, but in the first few hours a good bunch of ice would be my pick. Do NOT leave the animal on the floor of your truck! put down something for insulation.....wood, an air mattress, put a piece of plywood on some 4x's, a gear/fishnet...just keep it off the floor......too hot! when you get it home get it cool as possible as fast as possible.

if you dump one in the early afternoon and can't find shade pretty quick, you might want to consider a meat processor/locker in the hunt area.

[smdave]

Do NOT leave the animal on the floor of your truck! put down something for insulation.....wood, an air mattress, put a piece of plywood on some 4x's, a gear/fishnet...just keep it off the floor......too hot!

I agree, I reread my post and appologize for the miss information. When I said lay flat I was meaning the meat as in not to stack it in a pile. The truck I was speeking of had a platform in it with all the hunting gear under it. Do the best with what you have to keep the meat as cool as possible untill you get it to a place for storage.

Dave

[wannahunt]

thanks for the info. Hopefully I'll be able to put to use this next week.

[high country]

so I looked at a few army websites and it appears a clear answer as to how one access' the ytc is as hard to find as a permit draw by fish and feathers......

what has to happen to hunt the ytc, what can you drive on, walk on....yada yada