End of Western WA Pheasant Release Program

[Torrent50]

If you haven't heard, due to the State's current budget problems (aka stupid spending habits), the pheasant release program is likely going away.  I asked Director Sussewind in an email a couple weeks ago and was told that it may be eliminated or reduced. 

However, a buddy was in a budget meeting today where they said that there is no funding for the program after July 1st.  Some sites will not be open this year and the few that are will be done after 2025.  Sucks.

[MADMAX]

Got pay for those e bikes rebates somehow
State deficit my arse

More than $4 million is available for instant rebates of either $300 or $1,200 per person.


Let’s screw the hunters some more
Maybe we raise fees and reduce opportunity

https://wsdot.wa.gov/travel/bicycling-walking/bicycling-washington/e-bike-rebate-program

[bigdub257]

If you haven't heard, due to the State's current budget problems (aka stupid spending habits), the pheasant release program is likely going away.  I asked Director Sussewind in an email a couple weeks ago and was told that it may be eliminated or reduced. 

However, a buddy was in a budget meeting today where they said that there is no funding for the program after July 1st.  Some sites will not be open this year and the few that are will be done after 2025.  Sucks.

Another nail in the coffin for hunting in Washington State.  The budget is just an excuse.  I'm pretty sure most that participate would have paid extra for the licenses if that was presented or considered.  I wonder what's next?   

[Stein]

Right after a fee increase that WDFW didn't even ask for.

[metlhead]

Any idea what may happen to the release sites? The area near us is used by many for hiking.

[Humptulips]

Is there any advocacy group specific to upland bird hunters?

[Torrent50]

Any idea what may happen to the release sites? The area near us is used by many for hiking.

I would imagine they will leave them available for other uses and saving the butterflies and stuff.

[Torrent50]

Is there any advocacy group specific to upland bird hunters?

I am not aware of any.  I don't know that pheasants forever gets involved much in release programs.

[MADMAX]

Any idea what may happen to the release sites? The area near us is used by many for hiking.

I would imagine they will leave them available for other uses and saving the butterflies and stuff.

Low income housing or homeless camps

[millerwheeler]

Man that pheasant youth hunt has been amazing with my kids  last 3 years. Real bummer

[Torrent50]

I hope that they somehow do some last minute shuffling and save the program, but I know the game farm in Centralia has been operating in the red, so if that goes, then there's no birds.

Buddy said it was a depressing meeting as agency heads from all the major state agencies were listing the programs they were cutting and the number of people they are going to be laying off.

[Lalo]

I wonder what they will do about eastern WA nontoxic. As it stands, you are required to shoot non-toxic while hunting upland birds on pheasant release sites. So...if they stop releasing pheasants, will that end the non-toxic restrictions?

[Blacktail Sniper]

I hope that they somehow do some last minute shuffling and save the program, but I know the game farm in Centralia has been operating in the red, so if that goes, then there's no birds.

Buddy said it was a depressing meeting as agency heads from all the major state agencies were listing the programs they were cutting and the number of people they are going to be laying off.

Seems that the Lewis Co., one has some bigger problems:

https://www.chronline.com/stories/lawmakers-centralia-mayor-decry-wdfws-inaction-on-unsafe-water-linked-to-pheasant-farm,377602

[steeleywhopper]

At what point do we as hunters just say enough is enough and give WDFW a BLM style protest??

[metlhead]

Unpleasant to see the program disappear. Put and take non-native birds that fed coyotes seems an easy cut. Easy to imagine the program was a money pit. Take the funds and rebuild EWa habitat and bring back the birds naturally. Predator culling helps too

[Stein]

At what point do we as hunters just say enough is enough and give WDFW a BLM style protest??

I'm not buying a hunting license this year.  With the reduction in available waterfowl hunting opportunity and the amount of gas I burned in a season driving around and messing with the reservation system I'll just go on a guided trip in another state for a couple days and call it good.

I used to buy hunting licenses for my kids but now they are too old to put in for the dwindling youth tags, we're just hunting MT.

Fishing is still very much worthwhile, more due to mother nature than the head scratching salmon management program but either way it's a good year.

[Wingin it]

They will turn them all into walking trails and bird watching. I gave up Westside pheasant hunting many years ago, but I hate to the program go.  I had a lot of fun growing up hunting those sites. More money for less opportunity, it’s the Washington way.

[Torrent50]

Someone just posted one of the Facebook pages that they spoke with the manager of the program today.  He said that there will be a release program in 2025 but that 2026 is up in the air. 

Maybe there is hope after all.

[millerwheeler]

Someone just posted one of the Facebook pages that they spoke with the manager of the program today.  He said that there will be a release program in 2025 but that 2026 is up in the air. 

Maybe there is hope after all.

Be nice if fish and game gave clear messages instead of the he said she said stuff all the time. Thanks for the info hope it’s true

[EnglishSetter]

Someone just posted one of the Facebook pages that they spoke with the manager of the program today.  He said that there will be a release program in 2025 but that 2026 is up in the air. 

Maybe there is hope after all.

Western WA pheasant permits are currently available for sale.  That could well have been a factor in not nixing as yet.

[bearpaw]

Is there any advocacy group specific to upland bird hunters?

Pheasants Forever