2019 Yakama Nation Youth Day was a total bust

[curtdiesel]

https://www.ynwildlife.org/huntingseasonandregs.php

It worked out nice this year that the Yakama nation did their thing where they like to be different than WA State and the Feds when they can get away with it.  They set their youth weekend the same was Western WA instead of Eastern WA.  I was excited as I will be hunting dear on the 28th and 29th.  Daughter and I went to sleep early and arrived at the gate to Satus about an hour and 45 minutes prior to shooting light to find it locked.  Waited around and no one showed to open it up.  One would think if they go through the trouble to set their own Youth Weekend they Yakama Nation would at least open the #*&%# gate for the kids.  My daughter was beyond disappointed.

Curt

[trophyhunt]

    

Sorry to hear, nothing breaks a parents heart more than that look of disappointment in their kids eyes. 

[Dhoey07]

Could you walk around the gate?

[curtdiesel]

We could have climbed over it.  The blinds are way too far away for myself and my daughter to get to packing decoys and the like.  There are parking areas inside the refuge designated for specific areas for a reason.  I wanted it to be a fun experience for her.  She just got her hunter safety this spring.  Making a young girl hike several miles in and back out even if I carried everything would not have been fun for her at this point.

[Rainier10]

Really sorry to hear it didn't work out.

Have you done this hunt before?  I am not familiar with it but looking at the link you posted I wonder if you needed to contact the number at the bottom to reserve a spot and let them know you were coming. 

Frustrating that it didn't work out.

[rainshadow1]

Sorry that happened, Curt.

I didn't have time to get out there... thought about it, but I had several sporting events to get kids to. Two of my four shooter kids weren't interested. Got the other two out to the area where Pheasants Forever had a youth event at Cottonwoods, but only for an hour or so in the evening, Sat. Had one no-shot.

Hope to get out this regular season. I know the tribe is pretty particular about Satus, and the days they open it up. The river has a few spots, but Satus is kinda sacred ground.

[curtdiesel]

Yeah if people were not jerks and would clean up after themselves and not go in and dump stuff, there would be no need for a gate in the first place.  I really like the refuge and will be out there on several Saturdays and hopefully a few Wednesday mornings too this season.  I am very happy that the Yakama Nation offers a hunting license and has setup several good places to go.  I have a lot more scouting to do to find the more hidden ones.  I may try to get out to the Carl Property with my daughter this year once.  Youth day is so nice because there are way less hunters around and the kids are the only ones shooting.  It really gives them a VIP experience before the ducks know what's coming.

[rainshadow1]

Yeah, I was hoping to get out and make a set, but no time. Were there any birds around?

Hope to see you over there some this year. The sons who love to hunt are going to be gone for most of the season after football season ends, I have to share time with their mom in Sequim, but maybe the last little bit. My wife and a couple other less enthusiastic (step)sons will get out there some with me. I'm usually driving my old 4runner, some subtle rainshadow stickerage on it.

[fowl smacker]

That really sucks.  Circle lake wouldn't have been that far of a walk.  Could have packed a half dozen decoys in and blasted some birds.  You also could have walked straight back from the gate to the "slough", there are always a lot of wood ducks there early season.

[Lady Grouse hunter]

Curtdiesil,
 just bring her up north here../ P.M. me for details... I'll try to get her a big Muley here as they're trapped between the lake and the hiway.  LOVE to mentor all young new hunters especially gals!!!   

[Boss .300 winmag]

🤔

[Lady Grouse hunter]

OHH, Women DON'T get Buck fever 

[Timberstalker]

Curtdiesil,
 just bring her up north here../ P.M. me for details... I'll try to get her a big Muley here as they're trapped between the lake and the hiway.  LOVE to mentor all young new hunters especially gals!!!   

These deer can't swim?  Sorry for the thread jack, but I've seen this twice now and have to get some clarity.