Yakima River Canyon hunting?

[johnegrant]

Recently moved up from Oregon and am trying to get the lay of the land. I'm meeting a buddy on the Yakima to fish this weekend and am wondering if it is worthwhile to bring my shotgun along. I've fished it a lot in the summer but haven't looked at it much with a hunter's eye. Unfortunately, my buddy's not a hunter so I'm trying to figure this out on my own.

I've seen chukkar and quail in the summer in the canyon--any other species? (grouse? huns? pheasant?). From the maps I'm looking at it seems like most of the west side of the canyon is in the Wenas wildlife area so hunting should be open, right?  Looks like some decent creeks to walk up--anyone have experience in there? Also, any duck shooting on the river or nearby?

Thanks in advance for any insight. --John

[Antlershed]

Check out around the Umtanum or Umptanum (can never remember which it is). There is a foot bridge there to cross the river. If you have a boat, then it doesn't really matter. There is a huge canyon you can hike up, but I never hunted it. I talked to one hunter last season who said the bird numbers were down for that area, but it may be worth a shot.

[tlbradford]

If I had one place in the state to chukkar hunt it wold be there.  I have always hunted the east side of the Yakima in between the Bighorn herds.

[Slenk]

Go to the Yakima Game Dept. office and get one of there FREE Green Dot maps for L.T.Murray area most any of the lower part has Chuckers . If you go into the Umtanum from the bridge watch for buzz worms in the warmer part of the day . Ihave lived here most of my life and grew up on the L.T.Murray it used to be called the High Valley Ranch before the Game Department bought it in 1968.
150,000 acres of deeded ground in one chunk .
Slenk

[boneaddict]

Yep to all of the above, especially the buzz worms this time of year.  There are a few Bobwhite as well, huns and chucks.  More huns than chucks, but I'm working on that.  Rare pheasant, but a few.  Might be some ruffed next to the river.  Most of your bird action will be up on the breaks.  Have good boots.  Sidhilling that all day is just wonderful.

[arrowflinger]

Buzz worms?? Sorry, never heard that before.

[jackelope]

Buzz worms?? Sorry, never heard that before.

rattlesnakes.

look for any green spots you see on those hillsides and hunt around them(water).
i really want to float the river and beach the boat, get out here and there and birdhunt. i'm gonna do it one of these days...really.
 

[arrowflinger]

Now I know that term....................

[johnegrant]

Thank you all. I'll give a report after the weekend.