Remeber the "temporary" license increase for W. wa pheasants?

[pjb3]

What happened? It was supposed to be for 2-3 years, its still $90

[jay.sharkbait]

I'm sure it's just a misunderstanding.....

[bobcat]

I never heard about it only being temporary. They have to pay for those birds somehow, and I think the people shooting the birds should be paying for them. So to me $90 doesn't seem high at all. In fact I really think they need to increase it more, as I read recently something that said the license fee isn't even covering the cost of the birds.

[Hunterman]

What happened? It was supposed to be for 2-3 years, its still $90

Didn't you know, it's not about the pheasants? It's all about the dollars. Were else in the US do you spend $90.00 for a permit to hunt pen raised birds on a state release site 

Hunterman(Tony)   

[bobcat]

You know, there is another option- the state could choose to quit releasing pheasants in western Washington. They wouldn't be losing anything, as they're not making any money even with the $90 license.

$90 is a lot cheaper than buying your own birds or going to a private pheasant hunting preserve. If people don't like the price, they don't need to buy a license. Simple as that. I know I haven't bought a western Washington pheasant license since the price increase.

[Mudman]

I think its all silly.  Hunt native wild animals. Whats next?  Emu?   Maybe they should try to bring the grouse pop. back?  But that would require burning again.

[Boss .300 winmag]

 

[Bob33]

The"temporary" surcharge was for hunting and fishing license fees. The fee increase for western Washington pheasant hunting was never stated as being temporary.

http://wdfw.wa.gov/news/jul1309a/

http://lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/biennium/2009-10/Pdf/Bill%20Reports/House/1778-S%20HBR%20PL%2009.pdf

-  Adds a 10 percent surcharge onto the purchase of all recreational hunting and fishing licenses for the 2009-2011 biennium.
-  Increases the fees for hunting for pheasants in western Washington.

[pjb3]

fair enough, guess I'll  never hunt birds here in West Wa again, can' t spend that
Prefer to spend a $100 to go for a weekend east for hunting

[Special T]

I never heard about it only being temporary. They have to pay for those birds somehow, and I think the people shooting the birds should be paying for them. So to me $90 doesn't seem high at all. In fact I really think they need to increase it more, as I read recently something that said the license fee isn't even covering the cost of the birds.

Im not an apologist for the WDFW matter of fact i consider myself a critic. $90 is a deal & I have private posted property to go hunt and it would cost me more than that in fuel for a weekend or 2 to go chase wild birds. I just hope they keep the Bow hill site so i can DONATE some time and fuel back to the place where I LOVE to chase the birds... How else can you show up late mid week to work after chasing birds for a hour or 2?
If you have ever raised birds (And i have a buddy that has) you will see that $10 a pheasant is a DEAL to buy one....

[CP]

Best deal around.  10 week season, if you hunt 2 release days a week and take 2 birds each day (certainly doable) that's 40 birds or $2.25/each.

PS - put me down for the Emu season when they open that.  One emu would make a fine holiday feast!   

[WSU]

It really is pretty cheap if you compare it to the cost of going to eastern Wa to hunt.  The gas for one trip would cost as much or more than the license.

[Curly]

Eastern Washington is much more enjoyable but western is ok to just get out as long as you go when it's not too crowded.

[Special T]

The release sites are a compromise for certain. I too like the wild birds of E wa but how else can you get your dog on a bunch of birds every year?

[pjb3]

Thanks guys, I might change my mind, I did volunteer for releasing birds, it was fun
Just used to the days ago when it was $30 for a season

[bobcat]

When you think of all the time and money you have invested in a bird dog, $90 is a very small price to pay to get your dog into some birds, instead of just sitting at home and laying around the house doing nothing.

[Special T]

 
I can honestly say that I did it for my dog this last year and likely will do so again next year.

[pjb3]

I will be on my own now, lost my baby 2 years ago
Will be doing man-VS- bird

[bobcat]

If that's the case, I wouldn't waste my money. Even when it was only $35, I only went to the release sites to get my dog into birds when I didn't have time to go east.

If I want to hunt birds without a dog I go for grouse.

[Bullkllr]

The release sites are a compromise for certain. I too like the wild birds of E wa but how else can you get your dog on a bunch of birds every year?

Exactly.

I think its all silly.  Hunt native wild animals. Whats next?  Emu?   Maybe they should try to bring the grouse pop. back?  But that would require burning again.

Guess it's a good thing the state doesn't have a similar view with say, hatchery raised fish.

[AspenBud]

Weyco wants $150.00 to hunt their St. Helens Tree farm. Good luck getting into birds there as easily as you can on a release site.

E Washington is great, but it takes time and money to go hunting there if you live west of the mountains and for a lot of guys that's a once or twice a season trip. That's not acceptable if you have a bird dog or two. $90.00 is a small price to pay to get your dog(s) into some birds over and above what you can find and/or squeeze in with wild birds.

Or put another way, you'll likely pay as much in gas just to go across the mountains and back on one trip as you will for a release site permit. It's a steal and the release sites serve a purpose for many, one that grouse, even if their habitat was better managed, can't replace here.