Training Areas?????

[Rowdy]

Can I train (shoot birds) at pheasant release sites this time of year?  I did last year but I think there was a cut-off date and I can't remember.?.

Thanks,
Jake

[Happy Gilmore]

Sites usually close for a spell after hunting season ends. As far as I know everything is open. A quick call to the local game dept. office will probably be a good idea...Especially if you are going to shoot pheasants or ducks.....Clubs running trials have to get permits to use them in public areas. Usually why the events are held on private grounds...keeps the PETAish types away because they can be asked to leave and if they don't they're trespassing....

[Old Dog]

They close to bird dog training March 31, and re-open August 1.

[Shannon]

They don't all close down on the west side. There are a few listed in the regs that are open year around. Skagit is one of them.

[PacificNWhunter]

Here is some info from the fish and game dept.

Bird Dog Training Season
Aug. 1, 2008-Mar. 31, 2009.
Dog training may be conducted yeararound
on posted portions of: Region
One-Espanola (T 24 N, R 40 E, E 1/2
of Sec. 16); Region Three-South L.T.
Murray Wildlife Area; Region Four -
Skagit Wildlife Area, Whatcom Wildlife
Area - Lake Terrell, and Snoqualmie
Wildlife Area; Region Five - Shillapoo/
Vancouver Lake Wildlife Area; Region
Six - Scatter Creek Wildlife Area,
and Fort Lewis Military Base. A valid
small game license is required to
train dogs on wild birds at any time.
A small game license AND a Western
Washington Pheasant Permit is
required to train dogs on wild pheasants
in western Washington. Only
youth and seniors may train dogs during
their respective seasons on designated
western Washington pheasant
release sites.