Chuckar in whiskey dick?

[Bmcox86]

Hi all, I'm new to the forum and to hunting birds here in Washington, from the east coast but got stationed out here last year(coast guard). I have a 9 month old English setter that coming along well in training; pigeons every week and have killed birds over him once so far and am looking to get him into some wild birds.  I have been researching some areas out east in kittatas county, mainly whiskey dick and wondering how the hunting was here. Are there good numbers of birds? I will be hunting on foot so I am looking for a good place where my dog can find a few without wearing him all the way down. Should i just find the water and hunt around that? Thanks in advance for any help.

Also I'm not looking for anyone's honey hole just a nudge in the right direction.

[Bob33]

I would suggest going north and east from Whiskey Dick. There are chukars are on it, but I think you'll find more towards the river.

[snowshoes22]

Do you have a boat?

[Bmcox86]

Nope no boat

East of the river or just closer to the river?

Thanks

[snowshoes22]

It is easier with a boat but you can hunt the river edge and draws.

[splitshot]

there are chukars in the yakima canyon between ellensburg and yakima.  the whisky dick roads are rough.  watch for snakes.  mike w

[Sportfury]

Go on the other side of Whiskey Dick into the Quilomene. You can access it through the Wildhorse Windfarm.

[Cap.Silver]

  the whisky dick roads are rough

You should have really full tank and good truck ....cause some holes are 3' deep and lot of rocks ....

[Sportfury]

  the whisky dick roads are rough

You should have really full tank and good truck ....cause some holes are 3' deep and lot of rocks ....

LOL... so true! Been stuck in the bottom of the canyon when I broke the edge of the road and dropped both wheels off the side in the soft stuff. Luckily a good Samaritan in an old, green Dodge helped me out. Make sure you bring extra items like a winch or come-along, extra water, etc because when you are in the rough anything can happen.

[Bmcox86]

Thanks for all the advice please keep it coming. Due to the advice here I started looking at the Yakima canyon, any thoughts on the wenas and lt Murray units? Looks to be some good water moving through them? Also when does it usually freeze up over there for the rattlers to hole up. Don't want to loose my dog to a snake bite that's for sure.

Thanks again

[snowshoes22]

My dogs get bit every once in a while it doesn't kill them. A shot of cortizone and a couple days rest and they are back at it. 

[fethrduster]

I give my setter rattlesnake vaccine just to be safe, but it's still a risk.  Whiskey Dick is a rough mofo for sure.

[Bmcox86]

Thanks for all the advise I will post when my pup find some birds.  Anything special I should be looking for?  Anything my I should watch for that could hurt my pup out there besides rattlers? Coyotes or cougars?

Thanks

[Sportfury]

Thanks for all the advice please keep it coming. Due to the advice here I started looking at the Yakima canyon, any thoughts on the wenas and lt Murray units? Looks to be some good water moving through them? Also when does it usually freeze up over there for the rattlers to hole up. Don't want to loose my dog to a snake bite that's for sure.

Thanks again

Anywhere there is water this time of year you will find snakes, but you will also find birds. Once the freeze comes you will still see snakes out in the heat during the day until we have some hard freezes where it stays cold. You can take Durr Road out of Ellensburg to look for birds, but I have only had success by getting down closer to the river. I have run into snakes down in Umtanum Canyon and my shorthair tried to get bit. I wouldn't even think of taking my wirehair down there until we have a good hard freeze because she would get bit for sure.

[hunter12]

try the firing range