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Western Wa Pheasant Release Program

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labsetters:
Looks to be on the chopping block to end this program by those who control the budget purse strings.

This is the only real/reliable upland opportunity in Western Wa, with the exception of grouse, which are generally hit or miss, in my experience.

Unless something has changed in the past few days, rumor has it that the entire program will go away with this budget cycle, including closing the Bob Oke Game Farm. Not only will this end the Western Wa release program, birds are also provided for Eastern Wa release sites.

The next blow in the ongoing attempts to end hunting in Washington. It is my understanding that this program, considering the cost of the pheasant release permit, actually comes fairly close to break even in costs. Maybe a slight increase in the permit fee, or adding the requirement for a small game licence in addition to the pheasant permit might be enough to save the program, but I don't know if the politicians even want to consider keeping any hunting program.

Ending this program will severely impact reasonable opportunity to get out in the fall. Some folks might head to Eastern Wa, but reasonable opportunities there are few and far between, especially considering there is also another gas tax increase on the table. Also shifting to the East side will just add more impact on already tenuous upland resources.

Might be worth sending correspondence to your local politicians to see if this program can be saved. I think there is a big budget vote this weekend.Even if you don't hunt release sites, we are all hunters in the same boat and should stick together. Remember spring bear. Predator hunting may be next. All part of the plan to be the first state to "end hunting".

If this program dies, my dogs may try to disown me.

EnglishSetter:
Thx for the heads up.  Being an avid upland guy with 2 release sites within 45 minute drive, these are important to me.  While I hunted pheasant in 4 states (WA, OR, SD, CA)  this year, that likely isn't my norm.  Weather can play a big part in the 2nd half of the bird season as well.  Can be a not so safe time to drive east and a day trip kinda becomes out of the question for me.

The "safety issue" might be a good one to push to the legislators.

I already buy a small game license.  I thought it was required.  I could stomach a price increase.  Lot cheaper than a tank of gas.  Hmmm...increased use of fossil fuels might be another angle.

I hunted release sites early before other states opened and it was really nice to go bang a couple birds Thanksgiving morning.

Bullkllr:
According to this document the savings is $320K per year. I'd like to see it continue. It's not perfect, but undeniably provides a lot of hunting opportunity.

https://ofm.wa.gov/sites/default/files/public/budget/statebudget/2025-27/feb25reductionoptions/477DFW.pdf

2MANY:
Labsetters please site your source.

B4noon:
It’s in the budget proposal along with hatchery closures Naches, chelan, omak, and Arlington all at the same time a 40% increase in license fees pay more get less legislators need to here your concerns soon

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