West Side Pheasant

[Carl]

I wasn’t planning on hunting Pheasant on the West side, but after reading a recent post, I’m reconsidering.  I can't believe there still ANOTHER license to buy!

The prospect of getting out after work and doing a lot more hunting is sounding pretty attractive.

I live in Redmond, so these three area are not far; Crescent Lake, Cherry Valley, and Stillwater.

Can those of you with some experience or knowledge of these areas give me your  worth?

Unfortunately, no dog, so I’ll just be walking and walking...   

Thanks for any information; I’m sure it will help.

Carl

[Stilly bay]

  IMO its a huge waste of money without a dog. for every 20 birds my dogs find I probably kick up one by myself. you might do better by going out at 8:00 am and marching with the orange army but only slightly.

save your money or make friends with a dog owner, there are plenty of westside guys that would love to let their dogs get into another limit of birds during the day as long as you can display safe gun handling.

[sled]

  I've hunted cherry valley, and cresent lake both.  Been shot by other hunters 3 times! 2 at cherry and 1 at cresent. 
  If you like battle hunting, and are faster runner than other hunters have fun.

[BOWHUNTER45]

and what is the cost of a wetside pheasant card ?   

[Stilly bay]

$85 this year i think. sounds like a lot but if you own a bird dog on the west side its probably the cheapest way to get your dog into training birds.

[ORCA_SIX]

I find it cheaper than heading to the East Side. I am lucky enough to get out during the week, so I don't fight to many hunters.

[akirkland]

$85 this year i think. sounds like a lot but if you own a bird dog on the west side its probably the cheapest way to get your dog into training birds.

Dont ever train your bird dog on boxed chickens. And as far as hunting pheasant without a dog, save your $85. Dont mean to sound negative. Just neither are good ideas

[Carl]

Well, it’s sounding very discouraging.   

But honestly, I thought this was the case.  I’m not sure when a dog is in my future.

[ORCA_SIX]

Don't be discouraged. Everyone has their own opinion and perspective. User experience may vary.

Here is the deal, it's not like we live in South or North Dakota and gas is pretty expensive. If you live on the Westside and you want to hunt pheasants without having to pay 100 dollars in gas to go East, plus possibly food and lodging it becomes pretty apparent what is economical.

If I didn't have a dog I would save my money unless you have a friend that does. I get the pleasure of getting out with my dog so I am willing to spend the money. Pheasant seems to taste the same from either North Dakota or pen raised Washington, etc. from what I can tell. Maybe other people have a more refined palette. There is a difference in tactics on how to hunt and how the birds fly from wild birds but getting out is what is important.

Pheasant is not the only birds to hunt on the Westside. You could forgo the cost of a Pheasant tag and scout for deer/elk and possibly shoot some grouse or dove or with some luck Mountain Quail.

[BOWHUNTER45]

Yeah I hear ya...I used to go alot years ago ..I knew a farmer where alot of released birds ended up on his property ...The smarter ones  They would hold up in the cattails and my lab ( Pepper ) was relentless on them ...it was alot of fun ....need to start over with a new dog ....Hopefully we get a new one next year !

[Stilly bay]

$85 this year i think. sounds like a lot but if you own a bird dog on the west side its probably the cheapest way to get your dog into training birds.

Dont ever train your bird dog on boxed chickens. And as far as hunting pheasant without a dog, save your $85. Dont mean to sound negative. Just neither are good ideas

I would rather hunt/train on "boxed chickens" than box quail or chukars. a half dead pen raised pheasant has more to teach a bird dog than dozen boxed chukars or quail. but if your training for trials Im sure a asthmatic pen raised bobwhite might be more suitable.

to the OP, I am sure there are guys locally that would take you out, maybe put an ad up in the classifieds and offer to pay for gas or lunch... it would still be cheaper than getting your own dog.
just make sure you  follow the dog owner's rules, DON'T TRY TO GIVE HIS DOG COMMANDS, and you will probably get invited again.

[scottr]

Scary Valley is a great place to see terrible ethics and possibly get shot.

[Maligator]

  I've hunted cherry valley, and cresent lake both.  Been shot by other hunters 3 times! 2 at cherry and 1 at cresent. 
  If you like battle hunting, and are faster runner than other hunters have fun.

  Well that's just plain scary!!!! 

[Carl]

Thanks for the advice.

I'll try to throw out a post to see if I can tag along with someone and their dog (I REALLY hate to ask for such things).

Maybe an offer to take some quality pictures of their dogs working will be of some interest.  We'll see.

Thanks to all,
Carl

[pens fan]

If you want to drive south, you can always hunt with me and my dog at kosmos. I offered to stilly but he's ignoring me.