Birds around Winthrop/Methow?

[justsomedude]

I have plans to take the family up to some friend’s house in Winthrop and do some fishing on the Methow, but found out this morning the river closes today so I'm swapping my fishing gear for hunting gear.  Having never hunted up that way I was wondering what to expect as far as birds.  Grouse seems pretty obvious.  Is there any quail or pheasant?

[boneaddict]

Not very many.   More redtails than anything.   Saw some up on the game range by the WDFW station a couple weeks ago.  Make sure you are aware that some of the area is in parkland and safety zone.   

[justsomedude]

Thanks for heads up!  I saw there were some wildlife areas and will check out GoHunt to make sure I'm legit. 

[bobcat]

There might be sharptail grouse in some of those areas. So be careful what you're shooting at. Killing an endangered species could be costly.

[justsomedude]

Thanks Bobcat.  Having never hunted grouse that's really good to know. 

[boneaddict]

Don't worry too much about it.   I've climbed those hills mile after mile and have never seen one there.

[bobcat]

I wasn't sure about the Methow, but I saw quite a few sharp tails in the Pogue unit a couple weeks ago.

[boneaddict]

Seriously.   COOL! 

[sooperfly]

Fish away! 

The Methow is still open tomorrow. 

 

[justsomedude]

Must of been tired when I read the emergency closure regs.  Ended up fishing all day Sat and family stuff today so no hunting.  No fish caught, but damn I love the Methow.

[boneaddict]

Did you float it, or fish from the shore?

[justsomedude]

Fished from shore.  It's one hell of a float.  You better be on your game.  Were you out there also?

[boneaddict]

No I haven't fished it for awhile.   I have watched the evolution of that river.   Pretty spoiled being raised on the banks of it.  With all of the new crafts out there, floating has become the thing to do.  It gets hammered now.   I used to be about the only person flyfishing it.  Now that is also the thing to do.   I tell you what, even a day without touching a fish is better spent there than just about anywhere else.

[justsomedude]

I’m currently seeing a similar situation play out on a river I grew up on.  I’d never seen a raft on the river until a couple years ago, but now it’s being sold as a premier destination trip and every pullout is packed with cars.  I don't want to rant, but a little guide/floating regulations in this state could go a long way.

I couldn't agree more with your last statement.  No better place to stand in the water and recharge.

[boneaddict]

but a little guide/floating regulations in this state could go a long way.

I agree!  I like what the Deschutes does or did I guess.  Not sure if its the same, and not sure if that is an Oregon thing. 

[justsomedude]

Yeah, I don't fish in OR so I don't know if no fishing from boats is only on the Deschutes, but it would make a huge impact on some of our smaller rivers.  Weekend or weekday only floats/resident only fishing, similar to some MT rivers, could be a good compromise.  In MT they even limit the number of guides a river can handle.  Lots of options to keep everyone fishing, but very few people willing to compromise.

[addicted2hunting]

central ferry canyon used to be good for a few ringnecks and some quail but its all burned up now.