Yakima Training Center: This US Army training facility northeast of Yakima covers 330,000 acres. The drawing card here is mule deer. The unit to apply for is 371. Last year there were 59 rifle permits for the November 7 to 22 season, 10 muzzleloader permits for the October 1 to 10 season and 155 archery permits for the September 1 to 15 season. Both the muzzleloader and archery permits were undersubscribed, and the chances of drawing a rifle permit were about one in six. This season the number of permits and timing of the hunts should be similar.
One reason the rifle permits are so popular here is that the area is known for its high hunter success (58 percent in 1998) and for good quality bucks. It costs $50 to apply for a permit, and if you are drawn, the non-resident tag itself will set you back an additional $360. No additional fees are due at the Training Center, but like most military bases, it's necessary to check in when you arrive because some areas may be off limits due to maneuvers. For more information, contact the Yakima Training Center (Directorate of Environment and Natural Resources) or the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.
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