To the hunter who peppered us.

[singleshot12]

I have also had no problems with duck hunters this year, they've all been nice and polite and respected me for being there and visa versa. One thing I have noticed is the lack of presence or enforcement the last couple years and it has been noticeable with a small percentage of pheasant hunters, like shooting over there limit and hunting both odd and even mornings hunting out of the safety zones etc. etc. I'm sure the duck hunters have been getting just as sloppy too with the lack of enforcement.

I was checked at 7:58am on Thanksgiving morning at a one of the other release sites.  The officer was very interested if anyone was trying to “jump the gun” as she put it.  But everyone was polite and waiting patiently for 8:00am to roll around so she went about her business.   

The duck hunters stayed in the parking lot with the pheasant hunters until 8:00am.  We all chatted and got along.  We let the parties with kids go out first and we followed about 5 minutes later.  No one got shot.   It was all good.  That my last release site hunt for this year but I’ll be back next season.

I also took two brand new hunters out on release site hunts this year.  I was able to put both of them on enough bird encounters that they were able to get their first birds with their limited reaction times and marginal shooting skills.  They both enjoyed themselves and will most likely stick with the sport and move on to more challenging hunting experiences.

These sites have their place and can work very well if everyone will just exercise some common sense.

[singleshot12]

I really do wish the state would get out of the pheasant farming business. The release sites could still be used for dog training, or getting new hunters their first bird hunting experience. People would simply have to buy their own birds and put them out before their "hunt."

I've hunted release sites here on the west side, and I've hunted wild birds on the east side. There's no comparison.

I live right across the road from a popular release site, and it's actually embarrassing trying to explain to non-hunters what goes on out there.

To me it's a program that just doesn't make sense anymore. How about taking the time and money that is used for the westside pheasant release sites, and instead put it towards habitat improvement on the eastside of the state?

Where would the money come from for habitat improvement? Maybe they should charge everyone an extra $90 on there licenses if they get out of the pheasant farming business? They are all set up for it now with incubators,pens etc etc it would be a shame throw all that away now.

[bobcat]

Where would the money come from for habitat improvement? Maybe they charge everyone an extra $90 on there licenses if they get out of the pheasant farming business? They are all set up for it now with incubators,pens etc etc it would be a shame throw all that away.

I seriously doubt that the $90 fee that each pheasant hunter pays, covers the entire cost of the pheasant release site program.

[singleshot12]

Where would the money come from for habitat improvement? Maybe they charge everyone an extra $90 on there licenses if they get out of the pheasant farming business? They are all set up for it now with incubators,pens etc etc it would be a shame throw all that away.

I seriously doubt that the $90 fee that each pheasant hunter pays, covers the entire cost of the pheasant release site program.

It's been mentioned to me by program managers that it does. It's a self sustaining program.

[CP]

Where would the money come from for habitat improvement? Maybe they charge everyone an extra $90 on there licenses if they get out of the pheasant farming business? They are all set up for it now with incubators,pens etc etc it would be a shame throw all that away.

I seriously doubt that the $90 fee that each pheasant hunter pays, covers the entire cost of the pheasant release site program.

It's been mentioned to me by program managers that it does. It's a self sustaining program.

I’ve been told it actually turns a profit.  It would be interesting to see the data though.

[singleshot12]

Yep with all the equipement paid for and the cheapest grain available most of the cost is electricity and labor which comes down to only costing about $6 a bird. You figure most hunters only go 2 or 3 times a season only killing 4 or 5 birds so yes maybe it does turn some profit

[Bmcox86]

I am new to the state and new to owning a bird dog, I have hunted over dogs and worked on a preserve on the east coast for about 6 years as a kid growing up. I did not know about the release program when I bought my setter in February but after working with him for 6 months I learned about it from another person and thought it might be a good idea to get my dog used to hunting. At the beginning my dog had no clue as to what was going on but by the end of the season he was broke to flush. I hunted most of my weekend days and atleast 2 days during the week, sometimes only taking a starter pistol to work with the dog. I think the 80 bucks for the license is cheap compared to buying birds and finding a place to work the dog and is a much better environment. I haven't had any problems with getting peppered or other hunters. I still hunt on the east side for quail and chucks every few weeks but if not for the release program would of not got my dog in shape as quick and doing as good as he is now.  I hope the program stays around atleast for the 3 years I got left here, I know my dog sure loves it.

[MP123]

I have a site near my house, hit it 3-4 times a week.  $90 is a bargain, can hardly buy chicken that cheap plus the dog gets some fun.  I'd happily pay more but don't tell anyone 

I've heard the program is self sustaining too but it would be nice to see the figures.

[Bullkllr]

Well, if it hasn't been said already, it may not need to be said...

But please, before getting all philosophical on the ethics or endorsing new laws (like we need more), reconsider letting common sense apply.

I've been an avid waterfowler and upland hunter here in WWashington for about 40 years.
I can not conceive of going to a release site, on a weekend, during pheasant season, and trying to kill ducks. The whole thought is ridiculous.

I don't know the set-up at the site in question, but at most release sites hunters are required to wait until 8:00 am on the road or at a signed area. Let's duck hunt 30 yards from there...wtf...

My apologies to the op if you were sprayed intentionally. Otherwise, it would not be a suprise.

[singleshot12]

I haven't had any problems with getting peppered or other hunters. I still hunt on the east side for quail and chucks every few weeks but if not for the release program would of not got my dog in shape as quick and doing as good as he is now.  I hope the program stays around atleast for the 3 years I got left here, I know my dog sure loves it.

Yep it's all about the dog!  It's all about training them to their full potential,seeing them work and be happy, that's what it's all about  .

[Kola16]

Can't we all just live together in peace?

Boooooooooooooooorring 

[singleshot12]

Well, if it hasn't been said already, it may not need to be said...

But please, before getting all philosophical on the ethics or endorsing new laws (like we need more), reconsider letting common sense apply.

I've been an avid waterfowler and upland hunter here in WWashington for about 40 years.
I can not conceive of going to a release site, on a weekend, during pheasant season, and trying to kill ducks. The whole thought is ridiculous.

I don't know the set-up at the site in question, but at most release sites hunters are required to wait until 8:00 am on the road or at a signed area. Let's duck hunt 30 yards from there...wtf...

My apologies to the op if you were sprayed intentionally. Otherwise, it would not be a suprise.

Sounds fair to me, but over crowding is the root of most problems

[singleshot12]

Can't we all just live together in peace?

Boooooooooooooooorring 

Too many rats in a cage

[Stilly bay]

I've been an avid waterfowler and upland hunter here in WWashington for about 40 years.
I can not conceive of going to a release site, on a weekend, during pheasant season, and trying to kill ducks. The whole thought is ridiculous.

I don't know the set-up at the site in question, but at most release sites hunters are required to wait until 8:00 am on the road or at a signed area. Let's duck hunt 30 yards from there...wtf...

exactly! the trouble is common sense isn't too common these days.

I have a site near my house, hit it 3-4 times a week.  $90 is a bargain, can hardly buy chicken that cheap plus the dog gets some fun.  I'd happily pay more but don't tell anyone 

I've heard the program is self sustaining too but it would be nice to see the figures.

I have heard they are turning a profit also.

pheasant release sites are not unique to washington. many other states participate but their license fees are much lower. PA for instance charges $20.00 for an adult hunting license, with that license you may hunt pheasants, you don't have to buy a $90 tag. I don't know if their stocking program releases as many birds as ours but I know a few people from PA that are quite happy with the way the system works.
CT just tried to do away with their program which charged hunters a whopping $28.00 to play, they soon found out dropping the program didn't save them any money at all.
this state has more hunters than it knows what to do with, especially when it comes to the pheasant release program. its really hard to believe its a financial burden.  we pay more for licenses in this state than most others and we get fewer opportunities with more competition, we should have the best of the best where management is concerned for all the money we puke out yearly, but its lacking.

I never thought the day would come when there would need to be release sites in eastern Wa, but pheasant populations are dropping and what is left is being absorbed into private land. the way things are going release sites and pen raised birds will be the standard and wild birds will  be a novelty- not just in is state but many of the other pheasant destinations. many lodges in SD plant birds for hunters that have traveled thousands of miles to witness their amazing pheasant population.

this is why we need to procure more land on the westside NOW rather than later. insurance costs have choked out all most all of the legit hunting preserves on the west side of the state. Im sure some type of insurance hangs in the balance with the release sites.  if we wait on it too long buying land and insurance be financially impossible.

[bush_beater]

This sounds like Skaters vs BMXers at the skate park.

actually, theyve teamed up against the razr!