I drew an Alkali Bull Tag (Muzzy). Now what?

[Dan-o]

You can see from my other post that the elk permit gods were kind to me - I drew Bethel as well.

But , the Alkali bull hunt intrigues me a little.   I put in for it figuring if i didn't draw a quality tag it would give me an excuse to wander around the YTC some more.......   Well, having drawn Bethel, i suspect almost all (or all) of my scouting will go to Bethel.

but, Alkali opens earlier.

so, if anyone wants to PM me some basic info on where they'd look for elk on the YTC I'd appreciate it.

I have hunted the YTC before, about 5 years ago for deer, and 5-6 times in the last 12 years for yotes.     I've never seen an elk there, but I have seen tracks.

If you don't want to Pm me any info, that's cool.....   but try to limit the number of comments telling me to go burn boot leather or not to put in for tags on ground I'm unfamiliar with.   You'd be wasting your time, and you won't be able to bum me out because I DREW AN ELK TAG!!!!!     

Seriously, thanks for any help/advice you may wish to send my way.

Good night!

Dan

[ellensburgpo]

One word will solve all your problems: bildo.

[Dan-o]

LOL BIG TIME.

I was wondering how long it would take..........

[ellensburgpo]

LOL BIG TIME.

I was wondering how long it would take..........

Not long, I did send you a pm though with actual info.

[Dan-o]

Yep.  Much obliged, sir.

[270Shooter]

South end of the unit next to all the clubs and Martinez land

[adamR]

you want my opinion... throw the alkali tag in the garbage and concentrate on bethel.  Don't waste your gas and tires on the firing center.  Yes, there are some good bulls out there some years but it's hit and miss and if you don't know the area you would be wasting your resources.  Bethel is a great tag, I would take advantage of that one.

[NWWA Hunter]

My buddy drew this tag too

[Timberstalker]

you want my opinion... throw the alkali tag in the garbage and concentrate on bethel.  Don't waste your gas and tires on the firing center.  Yes, there are some good bulls out there some years but it's hit and miss and if you don't know the area you would be wasting your resources.  Bethel is a great tag, I would take advantage of that one.

There is a lot of truth to this.  It seems wrong to draw a tag and not hunt it but your other option is much better.  I had the Alkali Muzzy Tag last year.  I Spent 9 days on the Firing Center before I saw an elk.  I had excellent resources with valuable information on multiple areas of the YTC.  It is big.  It is real big!  I walked 33 miles, documented on my GPS before I saw an elk.  This was all pre-season mileage.  I killed my bull opening day.  He is no masher but I hunted my tail off looking for him.  Honestly one of the most rewarding big game kills I have had.
It is tough to walk away from it.  Do you know the area?  Is there time to hunt both?  So many questions before I could say throw it out, but that's the logical solution right now.
Good Luck with what you decide.  Here is my bull.

[WSU]

There are elk on the ellensburg end and elk down by the river.  I haven't hunted it for probably 5 or 6 years, but we had no problem finding elk on the north end.

[norsepeak]

I'd hit the north end, buddy of mine killed a toad out there three years ago over 350.

[Dan-o]

you want my opinion... throw the alkali tag in the garbage and concentrate on bethel.  Don't waste your gas and tires on the firing center.  Yes, there are some good bulls out there some years but it's hit and miss and if you don't know the area you would be wasting your resources.  Bethel is a great tag, I would take advantage of that one.

There is a lot of truth to this.  It seems wrong to draw a tag and not hunt it but your other option is much better.  I had the Alkali Muzzy Tag last year.  I Spent 9 days on the Firing Center before I saw an elk.  I had excellent resources with valuable information on multiple areas of the YTC.  It is big.  It is real big!  I walked 33 miles, documented on my GPS before I saw an elk.  This was all pre-season mileage.  I killed my bull opening day.  He is no masher but I hunted my tail off looking for him.  Honestly one of the most rewarding big game kills I have had.
It is tough to walk away from it.  Do you know the area?  Is there time to hunt both?  So many questions before I could say throw it out, but that's the logical solution right now.
Good Luck with what you decide.  Here is my bull.

Cool!  Thanks for sharing.

In my opinion that bull is a better trophy than an easily won huge bull.   I got really lucky on a very large bull a few years ago.   It's neat, but not nearly as neat as my first branch antlered bull that I worked so hard for.

That's got some great memories attached.  Thanks for sharing.

Dan

[Dan-o]

I'd hit the north end, buddy of mine killed a toad out there three years ago over 350.

     Holy Herd Bulls! 

[adamR]

I'd hit the north end, buddy of mine killed a toad out there three years ago over 350.

2010? while archery deer hunting out there in 2010, we saw a bull on the north side that probably would have gone 350 to 360...  But it was the middle of Sep and he only had two cows with him, he was a really nice bull though, wonder if it was the one your buddy got?

[Dan-o]

I'd hit the north end, buddy of mine killed a toad out there three years ago over 350.

2010? while archery deer hunting out there in 2010, we saw a bull on the north side that probably would have gone 350 to 360...  But it was the middle of Sep and he only had two cows with him, he was a really nice bull though, wonder if it was the one your buddy got?

Crap...........   I think you guys are gonna make me need to hunt the Alkali until the Bethel opens.......