Yep - Master Hunters only. I've hunted it for elk the past few years at different times between Aug-Jan. It's a crap shoot, really- sometimes the elk are there, sometimes they are not. If they are not, its a wasted trip (IMO).
You need to check in, register your rifle, watch a safety video, preselect the sub area in the unit and then ask permission to move to another. It's not hard to drive and glass most of the areas- ton's of access roads if you have a decent 4x4, and you do see some DANDY local mulies in the sage.
I gave it up after a few tries- seemed like a lot of work for cows- archery and muzzleloading 371 is difficult at best. There are probably better 'any elk' options for archers and muzzleloaders.
Oh yeah- Learn from my experience and stay on the gravel roads if it rains or snows.
I didn't like the red tape, and the lack of trees isn't my style, but some guys do produce every year at YTC. You can always stop in and check out the success clip board- they record all the elk kill dates, times, and sub areas, and leave that info on the front counter. If you are local, you can check out the reports every day or so and just hit it when it starts to heat up.
Hope that helps.
