closed forever!: pheasant release program

[Stilly bay]

I really hope the fake title of this thread never comes true... even though it sounds like a possibility looming on the horizon.

I Love the pheasant release program warts and all. as this season came to an end it made realize how much I would have missed if the program was not available. 

I watched my youngest lab become a pheasant finding machine. after he had enough contacts, he went from a lumbering pup to a pheasant seeking missile that I now have the utmost confidence in.

 some days my dogs made me look like I knew what I was doing- other days not so much.

I got to see a setter pup point and retrieve his first four pheasants ever one morning. he realized pheasants are much more interesting than the  tweety birds and barn owls he was pointing before.

I missed birds, and shot birds and missed some more.

I saw some old friends and made some new ones, I was even there for a first kill.

I had some very successful walks and a few successful hunts.

I got sunburned and soaked to the bone.

I saw old grey muzzled arthritic dogs get an extra spring in their step when they came across fresh scent.

I saw young pups running a muck while their owners yelled in vain.

I get to try new pheasant recipes and share them with friends if I don't burn them.

I saw tiny puppies not yet old enough to hunt, sniff the grass and puzzle over new smells as they trailed the heels of their masters.
 
I made christmas and thanksgiving decorations with pheasant feathers.

I helped an elderly hunter limp back to his truck ,who in his own words "knew better than to go after those chinese pheasants, but just couldn't resist"

I saw some very young kids proudly carrying the roosters their fathers shot.

I also saw a bunch of complete strangers working alone but in unison so that a level of safety could be maintained while walking the crowded fields. outside of freeway driving that doesn't happen much.

if it weren't for the program I would have missed it all. because of my work and where I live I wouldn't be able to make it east of the mountains more than once or twice a year. if I could only hunt pheasants once a year I really couldn't justify all the dogs I keep, and lord knows I love my dogs.

everyone complains about the release sites (myself included) but Im sure I am not the only one who is also  very grateful they are there and glad that we can run our dogs and hunt pheasants on the west side of the mountains. even if it is only pen raised birds - its all some of us wetsiders have.

if you hunt release site pheasants, jot down a note on this thread or better yet contact those in charge of the program and give them your input and tell them that you participate and your glad its there and want it to continue.

[csaaphill]

hope your right too. Haven't done it much but I like pheasant hunting every now and then when I can.

[fethrduster]

That's a scary title Stilly.  It's bad enough that I don't duck hunt much anymore simply because I don't like eating them that much, but if they took west side pheasant hunting away, I would be a very unhappy camper.

They may not fly as strong as wild birds, but I really enjoy going after them regardless, and my dog doesn't know the difference either.  I find it invaluable.

[Cascade_fisher]

My dog walks would be very boring for those 6 weeks.

[singleshot12]

Closed Forever??  That would put my dogs and kid into instant depression followed by me. You show some fine appreciation there Stilly, and let me tell ya that appreciation for the program magnifies even more when you have kids. I'm glad a few realize and appreciate what we have now rather than after it's gone.

I've only been a west side participant for 6 years and before that I was basically against it. Good thing I decided to give it a try, nothing better than seeing your dogs work and your kids enjoying the hunt too.

There is always a few birds that escape the majority of the hunters and after that it's game on, they know they're being hunted and they get wild fast. And not too many people realize this but on a couple of the release sites I frequent I've seen holdovers make it to the following spring and reproduce.

[Stilly bay]

That's a scary title Stilly. 

They may not fly as strong as wild birds, but I really enjoy going after them regardless, and my dog doesn't know the difference either.  I find it invaluable.

Sorry for crying wolf, but I thought it would be a good way to grab the attention of those who hunt pheasants at the release sites.
I think a lot people don't have any idea that the program could come to an end.

just imagine if you saw the title of this thread posted in the migratory and upland game season pamphlet...  I know my heart would skip a beat, and I would be terribly depressed for a long time at losing such a great part of my hunting life.

Like I mentioned above, if you like hunting on the pheasant release sites and want to continue doing so, contact WDFW and tell them. at the very least you will be able to say you did something, if it all falls apart. 

[Stilly bay]

They may not fly as strong as wild birds,

I don't know about that... normally I would agree with you but this year they raised up some very strong flyers... I watched a lot of them fly right off the property!

from what I saw overall quality had improved over other years as well. I don't think I shot a single rooster that wouldn't make a good mount (at least before my hard mouthed SOB lab got a hold of em) and many of the hens were beautiful full feathered birds that looked nothing like some of the feather pecked ones I have seen in years past.

[MP123]

Did any of you guys shoot some funny looking birds?  I ran into a guy that had shot a rooster that was green and black, really exotic looking.  I wonder if they're raising a different breed this year?

My dog and I have kicked up birds at the release sites in the spring and summers when it's obvious they've survived the winter.  Maybe with a dry enough spring some might reproduce some years.  It would be nice to get a native population going.

[Stilly bay]

  I wonder if they're raising a different breed this year?

My dog and I have kicked up birds at the release sites in the spring and summers when it's obvious they've survived the winter.  Maybe with a dry enough spring some might reproduce some years.  It would be nice to get a native population going.

a lot of the hens I shot had some very striking gold and bronze highlights in their plumage, maybe they are more mature or a different strain...

even though I have been told the pheasants can't survive over here, I know and have seen different. I am sure there is a wild population but its probably so small and scattered it would be impossible to manage them.

[Bullkllr]

Stilly,

Thanks for the original post. You're right- we should value the program more and all do more to support it and ensure it's there for us in the future.

I had a great time at the release areas in the south end with my young lab this year. His progression was incredible from the beginning of the season to the end. It simply wouldn't have been possible without the birds provided at the release areas.

I have to agree that this year's crop of birds seemed superior to some past crops. Especially toward the end of the season most seemed very mature and healthy. Good fliers too! It seemed like I encountered more birds (esp. during afternoon hunts) that had a bit of "edge" to them. A couple spotted me from over 100yards away and took off like racehorses. One hen we trailed for probably 1/2 a mile before she flushed.
Good Times!

  I wonder if they're raising a different breed this year?

My dog and I have kicked up birds at the release sites in the spring and summers when it's obvious they've survived the winter.  Maybe with a dry enough spring some might reproduce some years.  It would be nice to get a native population going.

a lot of the hens I shot had some very striking gold and bronze highlights in their plumage, maybe they are more mature or a different strain...

even though I have been told the pheasants can't survive over here, I know and have seen different. I am sure there is a wild population but its probably so small and scattered it would be impossible to manage them.

When I was a kid, we hunted wild pheasants in the Puyallup valley from the Tacoma tide flats up to Sumner. A train gulch near our house was full of wild birds too. There is still a decent (maybe not huntable) population of pheasants in rural/suburban Pierce County. While Western Washington may not provide ideal weather/habitat, pheasants can and do reproduce successfully here. I think lack of large habitat blocks and predation are more limiting factors on the population than the birds' abilities to reproduce.

On a side note, years ago I saw the same small, almost black coyote run out of one of the release areas on Fort Lewis with a bird in its mouth at least six times. Interestingly it always happened at about 7:55 am. I think the 'yotes take a huge toll on the plants at the areas I hunt, both before/after we get a shot at them.

[PointNLab]

I really enjoyed the eastside release program this year. It's a great opportunity to get my you g dogs going and my 11 year old a chance to play. Nice birds this year And I enjoyed the green/ purple birds this year. Kinda like shooting a banded duck.

[Atroxus]

Dude that title freaked me out. I too would be depressed if it got shut down. I an hoping in a year our two to have my son out there with me.

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[Shannon]

I don't travel to release sights like I do for wild birds. That puts me hunting only the Skagit release sight. I bought my card this year but refused to hunt that crappy site on Bow Hill. I will not participate next year unless a better site is found. It's sad but a clear cut mud bog is not my idea of pheasant hunting. I called the state and with there attitude I would say the title of this post is not to far off.

[kyle78]

I hunt a release site on the east side of the state and if it weren't for the site my dog probably wouldn't be what he is today. I do hunt wild birds also, don't get me wrong. The site I hunt is actually harder to find birds in it sometimes then the non release places.

[2dognight]

I would probably have to move.  I can hunt 20 times and be home for lunch or dinner. Sure it isn't perfect.  Like a previous poster said, I could only get to the east side a couple of times.  When we are in the field, please remember people are watching.