Master Hunter Permit Program

Tips and Reminders for Hunting in Elk Area 3911

GoHunt! Interactive mapping for hunting and recreational activities in Washington Please do not harvest animals with radio-collars

This information is to assist Master Hunters who are interested in hunting the eastern edge of the 3911 elk area in Kittitas county. The 3911 unit is atypical of most sport hunting opportunities. The unit is designed as a damage prevention hunt to assist landowners with the control of problem elk. Elk will be found primarily on private land where landowner permission is required. Although much of the area can be scouted from public roads, hunters may need to spend significant time on the ground to learn access points and property boundaries. Not all landowners welcome Master Hunters with open arms, especially if elk are not currently a problem. It falls on you, the Master Hunter, to display the highest ethical standards and develop personal relationships with private landowners to open up opportunities for yourself and other Master Hunters. Refer to the official boundary descriptions in the Big Game Hunting Seasons and Regulations Pamphlet.

Elk Area 3911 Second Elk Transport tags must be purchased from Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) Licensing Division. Call 1-866-246-9453 between 7:30 am and 4:30 pm.

Helpful hints

• Visit this website for updates on current elk activity

• Daytime temperatures in August and September can be extreme. Plan accordingly and bring sufficient coolers with ice

• Property owners can be identified through the Kittitas County web page at http://www.co.kittitas.wa.us/taxsifterpublic/disclaimer.asp

• Outside the Parke Creek area, periodic elk problems also occur in Badger Pocket, Reecer Creek, Coleman Canyon. In the upper county, check Teanaway Valley, Upper Peoh Point and Lookout Mountain

• If you plan to donate your elk to someone, or have someone else transport your elk, provide a written statement showing: your name, address, license, permit or tag number, the number and kind of animal provided, the date harvested, county, and area where taken, and the hunter’s signature.

Remember……Ethics!!!!

Promptly report the illegal activities of others hunting the area. Call State Patrol Dispatch Center at 509-925-5303 and ask for a wildlife officer or 877-WDFW-TIP

• Always be cognizant of how elk will respond when shot at. Try to push animals away from croplands and out of the 3911 unit.

• If in doubt about boundaries or ownership, do not proceed until you are sure.

• Consider fulfilling your re-certification hours by assisting landowners with fence repair and construction. Such assistance may help secure access in the future.

• The 3911 unit provides many challenges for Master Hunters. Hunting activity is highly visible to landowners and the general public. Careful consideration must be taken of nearby houses and roads, prior to each shot.

• Please do not harvest animals with radio-collars. They are part of an ongoing WDFW research project

• WDFW enforcement officers frequently patrol the area, you should expect to be contacted.

Puget Sound Energy’s Wild Horse Wind and Solar Facility

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:

Wild Horse Wind Farm

Click map to download a printable PDF version

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 available above.

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- Nov7) 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

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 privilegesmay be preserved.

For additional information log on to www.pse.com/WildHorse.