Samish unit/ West 90. Is this the beginning of the end?

[ghosthunter]

Today in Skagit Valley Herald front page. Article about the Samish unit and a water gate project being applauded by Ducks Unlimited.

The project would add water when needed it says.

Now I admit I am not up to speed on this. But I have a sick feeling we are going to loose one of the best public hunting areas to walk in hunters.
The game department has been giving up hunting areas for fish flooding.

Reading some of the partners involved in this project scares me.

Any body know any thing more detailed?

[ghosthunter]

http://idahostatejournal.com/outdoors/northwest/drainage-project-to-improve-popular-duck-hunt-destination/article_2332db72-2811-5ace-b017-8612906ab442.html

[JJD]

Sure hope you don't lose the spot, but it would not surprise me if you did.

[NW-GSP]

I'm interested in how the land was bought in the first place.

 Why would they be dumping over a half a million dollars on a chunk of land instead of buying more land for public hunting.

[kodiak 907]

The days are numbered for the samish. Critical habitat for " native steelhead and kings". 

[ghosthunter]

I am getting real sick of losing good walk in hunting areas to Salmon that just get gobbled up by nets.

[NW-GSP]

I am getting real sick of losing good walk in hunting areas to Salmon that just get gobbled up by nets.

I agree. Look into how the land was acquired, there might be requirements on land access depending on how it wad aquired.

[Man Tracker]

Unless something has changed in the last year, the Samish has little to offer in the way of restoration.  DFW has earmarked the Skagit/Stilly/Snohomish basins due to Chinook concerns.  The Samish doesn't have the same issues since the fish are all hatchery.  ESA "concerns" seem to drive all decisions, even when they make no sense.  So lets hope the work on the Samish/West 90 unit is really to enable DFW to better control water levels for duck hunting!

[Special T]

Is this in reference to the "samish" unit bording padilla bay, or the smaller piece that borders the river?
I dont think either are a great idea but a clarification is needed.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I547 using Tapatalk

[ghosthunter]

Hunting, Wildlife Recreation, Agriculture, and Restoration Communities,
 
 
 
Please find two documents attached to this email that describe a new Initiative from Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife in Region 4.  The documents relate to ongoing estuary restoration projects on WDFW lands and the needs of WDFW to continue to provide walk-in hunting, waterfowl forage, and other recreational opportunities.  Our Region’s goal is to continue to support all of these causes, and we hope that implementing this Initiative will allow us to do so.
 
 
 
The memo document explains the broader Initiative that encompasses all of Region 4, and the other document is a plan specific to the Skagit and Samish deltas that will be used to implement the Initiative in that area. 

 
 
Please feel free to pass this email on to others who may be interested.  If you would like any additional information, please contact Project Coordinator Loren Brokaw at Loren.Brokaw@dfw.wa.gov or (425) 775 – 1311 ext. 105.
 
 
 
Sincerely,
 
 
 
Bob Everitt
 
 
WDFW Skagit/Samish Replacement Land Plan Summary
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) owns lands in the Skagit and Samish River deltas that have historically functioned as a stronghold for Pacific flyway waterfowl management and high quality waterfowl hunting. Some of these lands were acquired during the 1950s with Pittman Robertson Act funding; later land was acquired with North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) funding. These lands were acquired for the purposes of farming and freshwater wetland enhancements for waterfowl management, and WDFW has contractual and programmatic obligations to continue to provide these functions. Much of the lands purchased using these funds include lowland farm parcels.
Puget Sound Chinook salmon have been listed under the Endangered Species Act. As a co-author of the 2005 Skagit Chinook Recovery Plan; WDFW has an obligation to lead recovery actions. Additionally, due to state legislation enacted over the past decade, salmon recovery efforts have been strongly directed at publically owned lands.
The 2005 Skagit Chinook recovery plan identifies restoration of estuary habitat as the highest priority for Chinook recovery. The recovery plan established a goal of 1.35 million new smolts, which is associated with a need to restore approximately 2,700 acres of estuary habitat. Lowland parcels, particularly those adjacent to marine dikes, have the highest potential for re-establishing estuary habitat and subsequently supporting Chinook recovery. Although much of this land is privately held, WDFW owns several parcels; these have become of significant interest for estuary restoration.
WDFW proposes to balance salmon recovery and estuary restoration efforts with waterfowl management obligations under NAWCA (North American Wetlands Act) and upland waterfowl hunting and farmed forage program objectives. To that end, WDFW has developed a replacement land plan for the Skagit and Samish River deltas (Map 1). The purposes of the replacement land plan are to:
 Describe the contractual and programmatic obligations WDFW has on existing lands;
 Document the need for replacement land on a site by site basis; and
 Describe the strategies WDFW has for meeting contractual and programmatic obligations.
WDFW is actively engaged in salmon habitat restoration and restoration planning projects. To date, WDFW has collaborated to restore estuarine habitat at Wiley Slough (Headquarters Unit of the Skagit Wildlife Area) and Deepwater Slough Phase 1 (Island Unit) and is planning to restore habitat at the Fir Island Farm Reserve in 2015/2016. WDFW is also considering restoration of additional habitat at Deepwater Slough Phase 2. However, as shown in Table 1, restoration of estuary habitat results in a loss of farmed waterfowl forage and upland waterfowl hunting access.
Table 2. Summary of farmed winter forage area and upland waterfowl hunting opportunities potentially lost due to salmon recovery efforts on state lands. WDFW Management Unit1 Salmon Recovery Project Winter Forage Area (acres) Upland Hunter Units2 Total NAWCA Displaced Total Displaced
Headquarters (pre-2009)
Wiley Slough (constructed)
100
--
100
10
10
Fir Island Farm
Fir Island Farm (2016)
215
X
130
0
0
Island Unit
Deepwater Slough 2 (proposed)
100
--
100
10
10 Total 415 330 20 20
1. Does not apply to Milltown Island or Telegraph Slough; these projects, as currently proposed, do not displace traditional waterfowl management programs or upland waterfowl hunting.
2. Hunter units estimated by WDFW staff as of June 2014. A Hunter Unit is a metric of the number of hunting parties that a property can safely and effectively support at any single time.
Because salmon recovery projects result in displacement of farmed winter forage and upland waterfowl hunting opportunities as identified in the table, WDFW has established the following goals for replacement lands:
Farmed Winter Forage: Replace 130 acres of farmed winter forage to meet contractual obligations under NAWCA and an additional 200 acres to meet programmatic forage objectives.
Upland Waterfowl Hunting: Provide 20 new hunter units to meet programmatic objectives for upland waterfowl hunting opportunities.
As part of a balanced approach to salmon recovery, WDFW is committed to replacing waterfowl forage and hunting opportunities and has considered several strategies to meet these goals for replacement lands. These strategies include:
 Change Management of Existing WDFW Land
 Secured Lands



Everitt

[NW-GSP]

Sounds great but I will believe it when I see it

[addicted2hunting]

I like the Samish spot for walk in public land hunting too... I do however think that it will improve the early season hunting on that spot due to lack of water... I don't like how it has been sooo packed in the later part of the season due to the water levels not being optimal till then... lets see how this actually works out.

[johnsc6]

 :bdid:Bye , bye field hunting hello marsh hunting......headquarters all over again.

[kodiak 907]

 

[h2ofowlr]

They probably replace it with additional QH units, which are a joke.  Especially the reservation aspect as it displaces all the local hunters.  If they start in on the Samish unit a lot of people will be screwed.  The other habitat restoration projects have drastically changed the hunting we used to see.  Went from great hunting to poor at best in those location.

You want to fix the issues, start removing nets from spawning rivers and streams.  Quickest way to fix the issue.  They know it, but they won't challenge the NA.

[3Peakes]

Hello I'm  new to Hunt WA, but not so new to waterfowl hunting in the Skagit Valley.

I randomly ran across this while checking up on the progress of the previously referred to project this morning, and thought I might chime in here. First off, this is not the beginning of the end. More like the middle of the end. More on that later. Here is a link to the Skagit Valley Herald article http://www.goskagit.com/all_access/drainage-project-to-improve-popular-duck-hunt-destination/article

The project is being done to improve things on the Welts property. They are not pulling any dikes or flooding it for an estuary restoration project. What they are doing is installing water control structures so they have the ability to drain water off to improve crop planting in the spring, and flood the area during the hunting season. They have been trying to get the funding to do this project for many years, and it is now set to happen. This should be a good thing, and if everything in the design process was done correctly may even allow for corn to be planted again if they will fund it. If I had one concern with this project it would be that they could use this as a way to eliminate cereal grain plantings ie: barley, and move to a moist soil management scenario. Ideally the barley plantings and hopefully corn continue, and the east and north sides of the property are used for moist soil management. It really should be a win if the water control structures function properly.

Now for the more on that later part. For those wondering about "The beginning of the end" and grumbling about the loss of waterfowl management areas like half of the Island Unit (Deepwater slough project), Headquarters, Leque Island, and Fir Island Farms (the snow goose preserve). I really have to wonder where was the worry, the outrage, and concern ten years ago, or for that matter even five years ago when these projects first became a reality? It's not like we weren't all warned. Washington Waterfowl Association has been extremely vocal about these issues for years now, while the vast majority of local waterfowlers sat on there asses and let it happen. You reap what you sow gentlemen. Time to pull your heads out or your proverbial rear ends.

[NW-GSP]

Wow3 peaks your first post and your already stating that no one here had or has been outraged our concerned about what has happened with the public duck hunting locations?.

Your also assuming that the duck hunters on here follow the Washington water fowlers association.

I also believe that the grumbling is due to the piss poor management by wdfw when it comes to these public hunt spots, look at smith farms and how they did not even plant crops there for a few years and had people hunting pheasants in knee high grass and that since they did not have any crops the ducks had no interest in that location.

Also after headquarters was flooded how many years! Did it take wdfw to find a alternative location for a pheasant release site?, have you hunted at ebey island and seen how ridiculous it is and not to mention that there is no way you can hunt that place without your dog smelling like cow *censored*.

The false promises of alternative hunt spots after wdfw destroys the current locations is what makes me mad. Especially when its under the context that its good for the salmon.

I also forgot to mention the so called quality field hunts that wdfw is paying farmers to allow public hunting access to fields that have been harvested and they throw up some chiken wire in the middle of that field and call it a quality hunt. You stick out like a sore thumb and you have to hunt from the provided blind.

[kodiak 907]

 

[3Peakes]

Wow3 peaks your first post and your already stating that no one here had or has been outraged our concerned about what has happened with the public duck hunting locations?.

Your also assuming that the duck hunters on here follow the Washington water fowlers association.

There is no assumption on my part what so ever. Nothing I stated was personally directed at any one person here. That's an assumption on on your part. There lies the problem with the internet. Everybody tends to take things personal.

I merely made a broad generalized statement that the vast majority of waterfowlers have been entirely apathetic about changes in waterfowl management in region 4 for some time now. Those that have actually tried to get involved and stop these things from happening have been a small minority unfortunately.  Quite simply it's a little late in the game to be worrying about losing public walk in spots in the valley at this point.

[BOWHUNTER45]

You guys are sure making me re-think what I wrote to the Skagit Valley herald  I wish I would have done some research before opening my mouth ..We all know about the Samish issues ..The tribes are controlling our beaches - creeks - rivers and salt water ..At any given time when they decide they do not want us interfering with the surrounding habitat we will be shut down ..Pretty sad a guy can not find sand shrimp in any store around here because they can not get out there to dig any ..What will happen when the Pinks show up and there are no shrimp ...I think I need to retrace my thoughts and write a new letter !

[Special T]

Wow3 peaks your first post and your already stating that no one here had or has been outraged our concerned about what has happened with the public duck hunting locations?.

Your also assuming that the duck hunters on here follow the Washington water fowlers association.

There is no assumption on my part what so ever. Nothing I stated was personally directed at any one person here. That's an assumption on on your part. There lies the problem with the internet. Everybody tends to take things personal.

I merely made a broad generalized statement that the vast majority of waterfowlers have been entirely apathetic about changes in waterfowl management in region 4 for some time now. Those that have actually tried to get involved and stop these things from happening have been a small minority unfortunately.  Quite simply it's a little late in the game to be worrying about losing public walk in spots in the valley at this point.

Welcome to the site. I assume your a member of wwa and happy your part of the discussion. A huge part of the wdfw problems is communication with sportsmen and our communication with them.
I have found through my experience with Silver Arrow Bowmen archery club that it takes more than an email to members or a post on the website to effect action. Simply stated you have to go where the sportsmen are at. This forum and Facebook seem to be 2 venues that produce.
There are many members here who are spokesmen for the Org they represent. Education from a known source on here has exponential effect.

[singleshot12]

The tribes are controlling our beaches - creeks - rivers and salt water ..At any given time when they decide they do not want us interfering with the surrounding habitat we will be shut down .

 

[follow maggie]

The jist of this post is why I'm starting to spend more time hunting &fishing out of state. It's expensive to hunt & fish here, and our opportunities are being diminished.

[johnsc6]

I'm with 3peaks on this one, most people, Sporstmen included are apathetic in thier efforts to change things before it's t late.

[ghosthunter]

Quote;Also after headquarters was flooded how many years! Did it take wdfw to find a alternative location for a pheasant release site?, have you hunted at ebey island and seen how ridiculous it is and not to mention that there is no way you can hunt that place without your dog smelling like cow *censored*.

The false promises of alternative hunt spots after wdfw destroys the current locations is what makes me mad. Especially when its under the context that its good for the salmon.

They have never fulfilled their promises. The head quarters site as never been replaced and never will be. They skip us around the map on some litlte crappy peice of land like Bow release site. I attended every meeting in Mount Vernon for years. Skipped this year because of work. But my buddy went. Same old crap. Nothing.

They screw up every thing they touch.  Samish is fine the way it is ,leave the dang thing alone. If the cry babies dont like dry starters there go to canada.

Washington Waterfowlers have never spoke for me.  Just because people dont come down and throw money on your table dosent mean they don care about hunting in these areas.
The wdfw should be protecting these areas for future hunters  but no they are prostituted by big money groups. So the average guys who just want to walk in and hunt throw up their hands.

Its all crap.

[Special T]

Ghosthunter, Funny thing about Bow Hill, is it COULD have been a good spot for the pheasant hunting. I know a few people including myself that would have been willing to invest some time in the place to mow cut more trails and such if there was some kind of a long term deal to make it happen. I hunted 2 of the other release properties last year Ebey and Camano, and have to say that I actually liked Bow hill. I hunt Pheasant on the east side some and it was my first year on the release program...

In general I am of the opinion that the WDFW wants to simplify its job by shedding it management job by promoting salmon projects so that less "Work" needs doing.

[3Peakes]

Quote;Also after headquarters was flooded how many years! Did it take wdfw to find a alternative location for a pheasant release site?

0 YEARS. They started releasing pheasants at Welts the same year headquarters was put under water, and they thoroughly screwed over the duck hunting there for years by doing so.
 

Samish is fine the way it is ,leave the dang thing alone.

Really? Don't tell me you really believe this. Soils that are too wet to planted, and can't be drained make for poor crops of barley and make it impossible to plant corn. Dry ponds over run with cattails make for poor hunting. Flooded crops hunt better and make fresh water feeding habitat available for birds. Even if half of it goes to moist soil management it would be an improvement.

Washington Waterfowlers have never spoke for me.

This statement takes the cake for me. The only grassroots state waterfowl org out there that has stood up to the state, repeatedly fighting against projects like Headquarters, Leque island ect doesn't speak for you. Hmmm....? Your bitching about management of public hunting areas in Western Washington right? Who do you think picks up shells and other trash when the seasons over, builds blinds for you to park your butt in, and funds things like brush mowers to maintain your hunting areas. Here is a hint. It's not WDFW, and its not DU either.

[ghosthunter]

Quote;Also after headquarters was flooded how many years! Did it take wdfw to find a alternative location for a pheasant release site?

0 YEARS. They started releasing pheasants at Welts the same year headquarters was put under water, and they thoroughly screwed over the duck hunting there for years by doing so.
 

Samish is fine the way it is ,leave the dang thing alone.

Really? Don't tell me you really believe this. Soils that are too wet to planted, and can't be drained make for poor crops of barley and make it impossible to plant corn. Dry ponds over run with cattails make for poor hunting. Flooded crops hunt better and make fresh water feeding habitat available for birds. Even if half of it goes to moist soil management it would be an improvement.

Washington Waterfowlers have never spoke for me.

This statement takes the cake for me. The only grassroots state waterfowl org out there that has stood up to the state, repeatedly fighting against projects like Headquarters, Leque island ect doesn't speak for you. Hmmm....? Your bitching about management of public hunting areas in Western Washington right? Who do you think picks up shells and other trash when the seasons over, builds blinds for you to park your butt in, and funds things like brush mowers to maintain your hunting areas. Here is a hint. It's not WDFW, and its not DU either.

I not bitching about anything . I am saying there doesn't need to be flooding at Samish. Samish is the highest density walk in waterfowl area around. Flooding it will just displace hunters. Forcing more hunters on even tighter space.

As far as blinds, I have not used one of those blinds ever. I prefer to do my own set up. Why do you need to construct blinds out there. We have hunted that area for years without blinds. Next there will be some lame ass rule that you have to hunt from a blind.

As far as trash, think you better take a little walk around out there. I have hauled six bags of trash out of there and there is still more to pick up.

I did not say Washington Waterfowler was not a good organization or that they did not work for waterfowl. I said they. Didn't speak for me that's all.
They don't speak for a lot of hunters. They are a waterfowl organization dose t mean they represent all water-fowlers in the county or that they have the final word.

And since you. Brought up blinds. Who's bright idea was to turn the Boy Scouts loose building wood blinds out there. The Monrales blind is below the high water mark and useless when the heavy rains come. The other blind out on the SW end got started and never finished, sits there like a eye sore for the past several years.
And the handicap blind you couldn't get a handicap person into during the wet.
The wire blinds that got built are too small and are really just garbage magnets.

What's good, ? The plank crossings, mowing the ponds, porta potty, all good. Plantings.
But Ya know as far a water fowler I am nothing special. I am just guy with a dog , wants to walk out to a wet spot and shoot at a couple ducks. The Samish has offered that for many years.
We have already lost space out there because we weren't allowed to hunt the North end for past two years. We use to hunt that too.
There are plenty of wet areas around there. The only thing flooding that property will do is reduce avaiable space and make the crowding even worse.

[ghosthunter]

So just for the record.

In my 5 th post . I stated I had been to every meeting.
We are talking about pheasant release sites in the post. I was at every meeting regarding replacement pheasnts hunting sites. Promised when we lost Headquarters farmed island.

Which have still never been replaced as promised.

I have never been to. A salmon restoration meeting , and I never will go to one.
I am a gun guy and have little intrest in fish.

[3Peakes]

Well, one thing is for sure you can't please everybody. Pheasant hunting sites are a separate issue in my opinion. I have zero interest in hunting tame Chinese chickens. I don't disagree with you about some the blinds at Welts. Some of them hunt well, others aren't worth the powder to blow them to hell. Permanent blinds on public lands will always be a magnet for the slobs and the trash they leave behind.

[Special T]

Well, one thing is for sure you can't please everybody. Pheasant hunting sites are a separate issue in my opinion. I have zero interest in hunting tame Chinese chickens. I don't disagree with you about some the blinds at Welts. Some of them hunt well, others aren't worth the powder to blow them to hell. Permanent blinds on public lands will always be a magnet for the slobs and the trash they leave behind.

I used to think that too. Last year was my first year hunting the release sites and I went to the Bow Hill location. I LOVED IT! I actually preferred it over Leque & Ebey Islands. I like E WA phesant hunting more but it was a nice mid week treat for a couple of hours.

I am an avid waterfowler and think the WWA Is a good Org. One thing that I will say is that We hunters will suffer from infighting. Have you ever hunted a release site? Which ones? Dont be so quick to strow stones at a potential allie. There are few of us as it is. We need to band together not tear each other apart.

[ghosthunter]

Well, one thing is for sure you can't please everybody. Pheasant hunting sites are a separate issue in my opinion. I have zero interest in hunting tame Chinese chickens. I don't disagree with you about some the blinds at Welts. Some of them hunt well, others aren't worth the powder to blow them to hell. Permanent blinds on public lands will always be a magnet for the slobs and the trash they leave behind.

I used to think that too. Last year was my first year hunting the release sites and I went to the Bow Hill location. I LOVED IT! I actually preferred it over Leque & Ebey Islands. I like E WA phesant hunting more but it was a nice mid week treat for a couple of hours.

I am an avid waterfowler and think the WWA Is a good Org. One thing that I will say is that We hunters will suffer from infighting. Have you ever hunted a release site? Which ones? Dont be so quick to strow stones at a potential allie. There are few of us as it is. We need to band together not tear each other apart.

Well said.

[ghosthunter]

Here's what happens.
A nice peice of public land comes along like Samish for duck hunting.
A few ponds are scooped out, some planks put over ditches for access and some barley plantd.
Nice.

Than we have to have blinds, and shell receptacles , the more you do to the property the trashier it gets. Why because you make it too easy.

The guys who don't want to get up before legal hours, the guys with no decoys,  the guys who won't put the effort foreword to hide themselves, who have never scouted before they show up there in the dark to hunt it.
The guys who don't care. You have attracted them and made it easy for them.

And before you know it you got nothing.

There are hundreds of examples of excellent hunting spots on private property around the area. No,blinds,no flood gates, just wet spots and the ducks are there.
The samish unit has been attracting ducks forever.
Just let it be.

[Stickerbush]

Tag

[Special T]

Ghost have you ever hunted a place with assigned blinds? Ive hunted the refuge in toppenish, & ridgefeild and have say what a plesant experience it was. Not because the blinds were ideal but it kept some jack wagon from setting up in my back pocket. Permanate blinds imo does little when its a free for all and you dont have to use the. Im like you I prefer my own setup, but to me some one setup too close ruins an otherwise good hunt.

I have heard the the refuge on Sauvie Island in Portland is awesome and does a better job than the other 2.

I have a hunting partner who released birds for the wdfw. We had a really good discussion on this issue during the last season. Ebey could be the kind of show case for well managed multi use. Pheasant release hunting could be done as well as established blind duck hunting. With a little work it could be a great way for beginners to get some opportunity and draw/keep people in the sport.
We also talked about how the esa salmon restoration projects are not really accomplishing thier designed goal but rather turning land that needs management into less mgt.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I547 using Tapatalk

[ghosthunter]

I have hunted assigned blinds or you had to be in a established blind at Lake Terrel.

I have also hunted the Quality access hunts. Where you have to stay in a certain blind.

If they did that at Samish Half the folks that hunt there would be out. Wherever you hunt there will be crowding. I use to have a hunting partner which if someone crowded us he would walk over and let them know it.

There isn't enough room there for assigned blinds. During the late season there is a lot more water that can handle a lot more shooters. With assigned blinds that would be lost.

Waterfowl also keys on assigned blinds. And it eliminates your chance to adjust your location.

All of it comes with more regulation. They have a 15 shell limit at Samish and they cant enforce it.

[Special T]

I agree that they cannot enforce the 15 shell limit and its pathetic.  I think there isnt much that can be done about except more area... Like putting some of the pheasant release into areas like Bow hill.

I can honestly say that I reduced my duck hunting when i had people set up in my back pocket too often... I didnt confront jack wagons I packed up and went scouting or went home.

[NW-GSP]

After years of hunting public land I finally bought a boat for duck hunting this next season. So sick of sky busters and having to get up at 2 am for a public land duck blind.

[ghosthunter]

After years of hunting public land I finally bought a boat for duck hunting this next season. So sick of sky busters and having to get up at 2 am for a public land duck blind.

I too have a 16 ft boat and my buddy has a nice boat with blind so we go out in those on the lakes some.
But the dog likes the feed hunting the best.

[Special T]

Im pretty lucky. I have 2 buddies with boats and neither can call worth a damn, and they think Im a GOD when it comes to calling... (The reality is im only ok but dont tell them that or i might lose my open invitation!)

Its amazing when all the moons align for a perfect hunt... On  your first hunt with some one else with a boat! 

[ghosthunter]

Oh I cant call for nothing.

[Special T]

We should go duck hunting!

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I547 using Tapatalk

[ghosthunter]

Thread Jack

Yeah we should. You wont like my boat. Maybe I get you in my buddies he doesn't call either.

I will work on it after elk season.