Accessing the Quilomene/Whiskey Dick wildlife area

[UplandJoe]

Hello! New to this forum and new to NW bird hunting (again)

I grew up hunting with my dad all over Eastern Washington. Recently moved back to the NW and adopted a couple bird dogs (Lab-Pointer and a GSP). They both have had some obvious training and the instinct is there.

Anyway, I was thinking of testing them out in the Quilomene/Whiskey Dick area for chukar. Only problem is I don't know if my road outfitted-subaru wagon will make it up those back roads. I have been researching on my own and looking at photos, the roads I see look easy enough but everything I am reading is saying ATV or overland/adventure vehicle is a must. Anyone make it up to the turbines and beyond in nothing more than 4wheel drive?

Thanks!
Joe

[coachcw]

You could access from the wind farm with a bmw....

[PlateauNDN]

That's probably experience talking.

[lghtnquik]

Joe,

Problem would be you'd wreck a tire on the subby. It's a bad, bad rd after the wind farm and once the wind farm shuts it's only worse. I've cut sidewalls on my RZR in there. I'd never go in there with anything less than 8-10 ply LT truck tires.

[birddogdad]

Joe,

Problem would be you'd wreck a tire on the subby. It's a bad, bad rd after the wind farm and once the wind farm shuts it's only worse. I've cut sidewalls on my RZR in there. I'd never go in there with anything less than 8-10 ply LT truck tires.

or if you do, have the Ellensburg Les Schwab number on your phone! hopefully you will have service, the manager is a hunter and knows the area to send help.. yep, voice of experience waaaay back in, shale - 2 tires on same side ... bad hair day@! replaced with E rated 10ply on truck...

[UplandJoe]

Thanks everyone for all the tips. yea my cheap tires wouldn't stand a chance I guess...gotta talk the wife into that truck sooner than I thought!

I may just drive as far I can and bring my mountain bike to get further out.

hmm... dogs, pack, gun, shells... a little overzealous maybe?

[wonder]

I've also wanted to get in there too.  Did the training at the Wind Farm last year but never made it out.  I too have old tires (10 years old) on my Toyota truck and was wondering how much they would be tested.  Maybe not a good time to test via trial and error?  That's a long way back in there.  Good luck if you make it out there.  If that part of the road looks anything like the gate access down near vantage you will have your hands full.

[10Key]

Roads are rough, with rubble throughout. Not as bad as the firing range, but close. Have a spare or two with you if your tires are suspect.

[PlateauNDN]

On the colock - tarps fire that was a road we frequented thru the wind farm. Smooth driving until you get to other side of farm then it gets real fun. That road sidelined more than 1 hotshot crew several times.

[Datoneer]

Hello! New to this forum and new to NW bird hunting (again)

I grew up hunting with my dad all over Eastern Washington. Recently moved back to the NW and adopted a couple bird dogs (Lab-Pointer and a GSP). They both have had some obvious training and the instinct is there.

Anyway, I was thinking of testing them out in the Quilomene/Whiskey Dick area for chukar. Only problem is I don't know if my road outfitted-subaru wagon will make it up those back roads. I have been researching on my own and looking at photos, the roads I see look easy enough but everything I am reading is saying ATV or overland/adventure vehicle is a must. Anyone make it up to the turbines and beyond in nothing more than 4wheel drive?

Thanks!
Joe

OK So I spent Sunday Through Tues in that area and I can tell you, dont attempt it without a good 4x4. I have a 92 Wrangler with New tires and Went where ever I wanted to even had to winch myself once because I was looking at a deer and not the washed out rd. However My body is so beat up I am still recovering. The bird numbers are ok, not as outstanding as I have seen before. It is alot of effort and jarring around and hard on the body and vehicle for not a great return in bird numbers imo.The Firing Center is good and the roads much more catered to that kind of vehicle. Also the added safety of knowing you wont spend the night out in the boonies because come 2 hours after sunset they come find you.

[Datoneer]

Roads are rough, with rubble throughout. Not as bad as the firing range, but close. Have a spare or two with you if your tires are suspect.

You must be way off in the boonies on the firing center because 90% of those roads are almost paved now. Its like a highway in a lot of places.

[10Key]

Roads are rough, with rubble throughout. Not as bad as the firing range, but close. Have a spare or two with you if your tires are suspect.

You must be way off in the boonies on the firing center because 90% of those roads are almost paved now. Its like a highway in a lot of places.

Bird hunting,  typically I am