Public Land Near Ellensburg

[bobcat]

This is from the hunting prospects for 2012 from the WDFW site:
(District 8 is Yakima & Kittitas Counties)


Deer:  Deer hunting in District 8 has been the worst in the state for a number of years.  The average success the last 5 years has been 8% compared to a statewide 23-25% success. The 2010 and 2011 harvests were the lowest in recent history.  There have been mild winters and decent fawn production, but lice, causing hair-slip disease, seems to be keeping populations down.

There are some signs the population might be starting to increase, but don’t expect great hunting.  Hunter numbers have declined with the deer population.  Many of the remaining modern firearm hunters are probably setting up camp and claiming their favorite spot for elk season.  If you are looking for relatively low hunter densities, consider the higher elevations of District 8.  Hunter success is typically highest in GMU’s 335 and 342, but so are hunter numbers.

[Naches Sportsman]

I would stick to 342 for good chances.  There were 14 legal bucks last weekend that I spotted.

[Seabass]

One of my best friends lives in the Burg. You will probably love it. It's a great community for a sportsman to be in. I always have a great time when I'm over there.

[chad s.]

Graduated from CWU in 2003.....killed one deer up Joe Watt Canyon when I was there. There was hardly any hunting pressure at that time in that area. The coolest thing about going to CWU was that you drive 15 minutes any direction, and you're in the hills looking at elk!

[Harborhunter]

I agree with Chad.  I graduated in 2006 and it is awesome that 15 minutes either way, you are in the hills.  Awesome place to go to school if you love the outdoors.  I was there from 2003-2006, and used to see plenty of animals, and shot a buck one year up Coleman Canyon, but haven't hunted there since and it sounds like the deer numbers have dropped off quite a bit since that time.  I have not seen this first hand though, like I say, I haven't hunted it since I graduated. 

[Chinook73]

Graduated Central in '98.  Staple foods in the winter was ramen and Mallard.  There was no shortage of either.  Even a few Chinese Chickens off of Durr rd.

[Kowsrule30]

This is from the hunting prospects for 2012 from the WDFW site:
(District 8 is Yakima & Kittitas Counties)


Deer:  Deer hunting in District 8 has been the worst in the state for a number of years.  The average success the last 5 years has been 8% compared to a statewide 23-25% success. The 2010 and 2011 harvests were the lowest in recent history.  There have been mild winters and decent fawn production, but lice, causing hair-slip disease, seems to be keeping populations down.

There are some signs the population might be starting to increase, but don’t expect great hunting.  Hunter numbers have declined with the deer population.  Many of the remaining modern firearm hunters are probably setting up camp and claiming their favorite spot for elk season.  If you are looking for relatively low hunter densities, consider the higher elevations of District 8.  Hunter success is typically highest in GMU’s 335 and 342, but so are hunter numbers.

I read that shortly after it came out... They didn't mention one thing about how the abundant preditors have a huge impact as well as the louse infestation... A little disapointing...

[fishunt247]

Graduated from there in 2010. Ellensburg is very, very good times. Don't spend so much time in the hills that you ignore the girls downtown, though. Very centrally located as far as hunting and fishing goes. You'll have fun.

[runamuk]

I love it here, good people, a good community, a great school, lots of outdoors stuff minutes away plenty of fun bars and good food.....I wont leave if I can find work to support myself when I finally graduate....

[dvolmer]

Good elk hunting with lots of Westy pressure.  Mule deer hunting is extremely poor.  Get on to I90 and head for Vantage.  then take highway 26 to the Palouse if you want good muley country.

[fishngamereaper]

Man you'll love it. Lived there for 5 years during and after school. So much to do School often got in the way of fun

Killed my biggest mulie( 171") south of town back in 96.

Almost to much country to learn, get some maps and start driving.

Also get in contact with farmers, there is still alot of good country down low and if you get private access your set up. I worked on a ranch for a couple of years north of town and always had access to good deer numbers and endless supply of yot's in the winter time.

PM me if you want any other info. I help however I can.

[Westsidebowhunter]

I graduated there this year in law and justice and those classes only run monday thru thursday so gave me good weekends to hunt and mess around i was like you and would always go back to the west side to hunt blacktails until the last year and ended up getting a good buck out of teanaway and watched my buddy get a brute there as well and nothing ever beat going up in the hills in september and watching nice bulls rut it really was a great time up there and if your willing to hike you will not be disappointed!