Quilomene

[Buckblaster]

Does anyone know how restricted the access in the Quilomene is now since they put in the wind farm?  How much of it is off limits to hunting now?
Those propellers look pretty crowded from the freeway these days.

[bobcat]

Did a Google search and found this:

http://www.pse.com/community/tours/pages/WildAccess.aspx?tab=4&chapter=1

[Buckblaster]

Thanks Bob.  I looked at that map and the closed area is where I found the best deer hunting when I drew the permit in 2000.  No wonder the draw odds appear to be so good.

[buckhorn2]

We checked in at the office and they gave us a permit we just could;nt go through the gates to the windmills but there was lots of places to look just really rough rocky roads.

[Dmanmastertracker]

We checked in at the office and they gave us a permit we just could;nt go through the gates to the windmills but there was lots of places to look just really rough rocky roads.

 THOSE ROADS SUCK. Worst roads I've ever been on, actually knocked my battery cable off one trip.

[bobcat]

I think that's because they're not really roads.   

[Buckblaster]

I put 500 miles on my quad when I hunted there in 2000.  Those roads (if you call them that) are rough even for a quad and I went to bed sore every night.  Most of that unit is absolute demolition on vehicles.  I covered almost all the roads in the unit at one time or another and saw alot of neat looking desert canyon country and remote areas. 

[Elkaholic daWg]

We checked in at the office and they gave us a permit we just could;nt go through the gates to the windmills but there was lots of places to look just really rough rocky roads.

 THOSE ROADS SUCK. Worst roads I've ever been on, actually knocked my battery cable off one trip.

 I won't argue that! once you drive down from the upper plateau (Caribou area) it sucks

[teal101]

The whole clockum quilomene area is hell even on a motorbike.  Great country though. 

Hell that place tore my danner pronghorns to shreds hunting chukars

[Bob33]

I just received the following email (I am on their distribution):

Puget Sound Energy’s Wild Horse Wind and Solar Facility re-opened for public access on April 1, 2010.  Hunting and recreation is allowed on the wind facility property 7 days per week from April 1 through November 30; gates along the Beacon Ridge Road open 2 hours before sunrise until 2 hours after sunset.  While this land is open to hunting and other recreational activities such as hiking, bird watching, or horseback riding – special rules are in place to ensure the safety of hunters, local residents, wind project employees and equipment.  Please take a moment to review the 2010 hunting/access information below:
 
Hunting/Recreation WITHIN Wind Farm Boundary – Permit Required
Written permission is required to access the wind facility property for hunting and recreation.  Rules for hunting and recreation WITHIN the wind farm boundary are spelled out in the Access Permission Agreement you must sign and carry with you at all times.  These rules are enforced by state game agents.

You may register for a permit on-line at www.pse.com/WildHorse

Permits are also available at the Renewable Energy Center (visitor center) located on Whiskey Dick Mtn at the wind farm.  The Renewable Energy Center is open 7 days per week from 9:00am to 5:30pm and can be reached by calling 509-964-7815. 

Driving THRU Wind Farm – No Permit Required
The Beacon Ridge Road is open for public transit thru the wind farm to access other areas of the Quilomene surrounding the wind farm.  Thru access is allowed 7 days per week from April 1 through November 30; 2 hours before sunrise until 2 hours after sunset.  Written permission is NOT required for THRU ACCESS on the Beacon Ridge Road.  Gates close 2 hours after sunset with a free exit from the north.  A map of the site is attached to this email. 

Please be aware that access may be restricted at any time due to severe weather conditions (snow, icing, freezing fog, etc...) or for other conditions that may affect public safety.  You'll need to follow a few important rules while traveling thru the wind farm on the Beacon Ridge Road:
 
    1.    The speed limit is 25 mph unless otherwise posted.  This is strictly enforced to ensure the safety of site personnel, visitors, and wildlife.
    2.    Operation of off-road vehicles (ORVs) or all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) is NOT allowed anywhere on-site, including the Beacon Ridge Rd.
    3.    No stopping on Beacon Ridge Road
    4.    No vehicle access allowed on turbine string roads.  These roads are gated and are for maintenance personnel only. 
    5.    No driving off-road.
   
Please note:  During the Spike Elk Hunt (Oct 30- Nov 7) Beacon Ridge Road will be open 24 hours per day with increased security to accommodate hunters during this busy season.

 
Site Closure
The wind farm is closed for hunting and recreation from December 1 through March 31.

December Access – NEW!
New this year, PSE is allowing thru access on the Beacon Ridge Road from Dec 1 through Dec 22 upon special request and by written permission only.  No hunting or recreation is allowed on the wind facility property during this time; only thru access is allowed.  To register for thru access from Dec 1 through Dec 22 you must contact the Wild Horse office at 509-964-7813 or email jennifer.diaz@pse.com.

To help assure continued access to and thru the wind farm, please report any violations of rules or laws to the Kittitas County Sheriff's Office at 509-925-8534 or to WDFW Wildlife Enforcement at 509-899-1656.  If an emergency, please dial 911.  We appreciate your help in reporting any violators so that these access privileges may be preserved.
 
For additional information log on to www.pse.com/WildHorse. 
 
Thank you!

Jennifer Diaz
Hunting Program Manager
Wild Horse Wind Facility
25901 Vantage Hwy, Ellensburg, WA 98926
509-964-7813 tel | 509-899-1107 cell
www.PSE.com

[Buckblaster]

Thank you, that's the info I was looking for. Thanks for posting.

[wannahunt]

i hunted it in 08 and got a nice buck but one of the rules is you can't get within 100 yards of any windmill. a lot of them are close enough together that you have to go around the whole row. Makes it hard to get around. you will need a range finder. I haven't been up there since they put in the new windmills but form looking at the map it looks like they put one right on top of where i got my deer. PS: I bet the odds are not as good as it show. probably a typo. i bet they left a zero off the end.

[boneaddict]

Good information Bob!

[wastickslinger]

PS: I bet the odds are not as good as it show. probably a typo. i bet they left a zero off the end.

I noticed that too. The prior year there were 14 tags and 2,355 put in the year before that. This year they are giving 14 and ther were 290 put in last year. I would bet that a 0 got left off of those odds. No way only 290 put in. 

[bobcat]

A zero got left out but not off the end. It was supposed to be 2090. If you look at the 2009 Drawing Result Summary, the correct number is in there.

[wastickslinger]

A zero got left out but not off the end. It was supposed to be 2090. If you look at the 2009 Drawing Result Summary, the correct number is in there.

That makes sense. I bet the number goes way up when everyone sees how good the odds might be based on the regs.

[boneaddict]

probably opposite.  I think lots of people have no clue where to hunt but apply where it looks like all the other sheep do, like the desert.  I'd bet half the people have never seen it.  Actually probably 85% probably have never set foot in it, yet apply every year.  Then when selected get on here and say....

[WDFW-SUX]

Now what? 

[wastickslinger]

probably opposite.  I think lots of people have no clue where to hunt but apply where it looks like all the other sheep do, like the desert.  I'd bet half the people have never seen it.  Actually probably 85% probably have never set foot in it, yet apply every year.  Then when selected get on here and say....

I wish 25,000 would put in for desert. 

[woodswalker]

i hunted it in 08 and got a nice buck but one of the rules is you can't get within 100 yards of any windmill. a lot of them are close enough together that you have to go around the whole row. Makes it hard to get around. you will need a range finder. I haven't been up there since they put in the new windmills but form looking at the map it looks like they put one right on top of where i got my deer. PS: I bet the odds are not as good as it show. probably a typo. i bet they left a zero off the end.

I've hunted that area since the early 1980s....no hunting or camping in my LONG time favorite places.  Almost ALL the high springs are now in the windfarm AND too close to a turbine string  With the attendant road closures its not now possible to get to some of the old roads down the draws where the deer congregate and its a LONG ways if you bag one down there with NO access for ANY REASON except on foot.  Dunno about a cart...nor how usefull one might be now.

[teal101]

i hunted it in 08 and got a nice buck but one of the rules is you can't get within 100 yards of any windmill. a lot of them are close enough together that you have to go around the whole row. Makes it hard to get around. you will need a range finder. I haven't been up there since they put in the new windmills but form looking at the map it looks like they put one right on top of where i got my deer. PS: I bet the odds are not as good as it show. probably a typo. i bet they left a zero off the end.

I've hunted that area since the early 1980s....no hunting or camping in my LONG time favorite places.  Almost ALL the high springs are now in the windfarm AND too close to a turbine string  With the attendant road closures its not now possible to get to some of the old roads down the draws where the deer congregate and its a LONG ways if you bag one down there with NO access for ANY REASON except on foot.  Dunno about a cart...nor how usefull one might be now.

A cart up there??   Maybe a helicopter

[bobcat]

A backpack might work? 

[Bob33]

PS: I bet the odds are not as good as it show. probably a typo. i bet they left a zero off the end.

I noticed that too. The prior year there were 14 tags and 2,355 put in the year before that. This year they are giving 14 and ther were 290 put in last year. I would bet that a 0 got left off of those odds. No way only 290 put in. 

http://wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/harvest/2009/reports/deer_hunt_name.php
1045 QUILOMENE A GMU 329 2,090 14 11 10 80%

[WSU]

A backpack might work? 

Worked for us last year....

[Dustin07]

what day do they do the actual drawings so we can see results?

[bobcat]

what day do they do the actual drawings so we can see results?

   I dont know if even they know.

[Dustin07]

bummer

[bobcat]

Results are supposed to be available in 1 month. That's what they tell us, but usually results come out much sooner than when they say they will. The earliest I would expect would be next Friday.

[Ellensburg]

Wow... i knew the apps look HORRIBLY low... I never even thought about that zero being left off of the end... I am an idiot, thanks.

[Dustin07]

Wow... i knew the apps look HORRIBLY low... I never even thought about that zero being left off of the end... I am an idiot, thanks.

you're not the only one. 

[C-Money]

I sure dont see where to apply for a access permit to the wind facility. 

[bobcat]

Go here:  http://www.pse.com/community/tours/pages/WildAccess.aspx?tab=4&chapter=1

In the third paragraph, there is a link to an "online registration form" for obtaining an access permit.

[C-Money]

Thanks Bobcat! The wife and I are registered!