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

[Cast2Way]

UPDATE

The Western WA program is on its deathbed. It is not the budget, that is just an excuse. The Bob Okie rearing facility has groundwater issues and Centralia city has demanded it be closed. You can thank them. The 2025 season definitely had fewer birds released it was pretty pathetic compared to past years.

TODAY - I spoke to WDFW at the Sportsman show. Fall 2026 will be even less if at all. Then it is likely gonzo. I was told Pheasant are not native so not a priority. Same for Chukar and Huns.

I asked if ALL Pheasants were gone, would WDFW care? The answer was a very direct “NO”!! I mentioned how popular the program was on west side and how WDFW’s own reports show how harvest on EAST side was 10X what is now, something like 300,000 roosters a year. All I got was a shrug…they don’t care.

Folks, the problem we have is WDFW DOES NOT CARE AND UNTIL THAT CHANGES, WE UPLAND HUNTERS ARE SCREWED IN THE LONG RUN.

This rearing facility shutdown and budget also affects all the enhancement program on the EAST side sites as well - even though that is total BS releasing dumb adult birds and hoping for carry over. Idiots!!

I tried to discuss about releasing 10-12 week old birds in late spring or summer which will cost way less and have better chance of adapting —- but again current WDFW DOES NOT CARE ABOUT PHEASANT or Chukar or Huns for that matter.

I wish I had asked if he eats Beef or Chicken - those are not native to North America either but the USA sure as hell raises an ass load of them. I have lost what little respect I had for WDFW.

[Humptulips]

Two Bills in the Legislature dealing with moving the Bob Oke Game farm HB 2668 and SB 6322. Companion Bills so there is a chance to move through the Houses even in a short session.
Probably should contact your Legislators if you care about this.
Last year I spoke to the Department about this and at that time there was determination to keep the Pheasant release program going. I hope that has not changed. They did get their budget cut and were hoping to get some more money this year. I have not seen signs of that yet.

[Cast2Way]

Thanks for the info Humptulips! The guy I spoke to seemed knowledgeable but obviously biased. Have you posted the info on the bills to the Facebook group “Save Western WA Pheasant Program”? If not, I will do that as well as contact legislators.

[Gentrys]

This state just keeps chipping away at our hunting opportunities

[pianoman9701]

Gentry, they have to. HSUS and other radical animal rights groups don't send money to politicians who support wildlife conservation. And the people who vote for these politicians have no idea how declining support of hunting and fishing will hurt wildlife.

[EnglishSetter]

My attempt at reading the writing on the wall:

There's zero support (city/county/state) to keep the farm.  They all want it gone. 

Best case scenario it gets relocated, but that will take years to become really viable even if they can find the $$$.  If they can't find the $$$ for an existing farm, finding the $$$ to rebuild at a new location seems far fetched to me.

I hope I'm 1000% wrong. 

[Bullkllr]

My attempt at reading the writing on the wall:

There's zero support (city/county/state) to keep the farm.  They all want it gone. 

Best case scenario it gets relocated, but that will take years to become really viable even if they can find the $$$.  If they can't find the $$$ for an existing farm, finding the $$$ to rebuild at a new location seems far fetched to me.

I hope I'm 1000% wrong.

Right there with you.

Want to bet there's already a deal in the works for the farm property?

[Chesterdog]

WDFW - We want to invest $160,000.00 between 2021 and 2022 on improvements to the Snoqualimie Wildlife area. 

"Approximately 100 hazard trees were removed from Cherry Valley and Crescent Lake Units during the 2021-2022
timeframe, improving public and staff safety. Approximately 6 miles of degraded interior roads
were improved on the Stillwater, Cherry Valley, Crescent Lake, Ebey Island, and Corson units,
providing improved public access and access for ongoing management"

Hunters - Cool! We're on board!

WDFW 2026 - We aren't releasing pheasants anymore, so these are now basically bike trails for non-hunters. 

Hunters - WTF?

(West siders lost the Skagit Island unit recently as well.  At what point do we push back?  WDFW has a commitment to provide access to hunters on this side of the pass as well, and the opposite is happening.)

[Chesterdog]

If we're forced to beg for crumbs, can we get these signs removed that kill duck hunting at these sites at the very least?

[EnglishSetter]

My attempt at reading the writing on the wall:

There's zero support (city/county/state) to keep the farm.  They all want it gone. 

Best case scenario it gets relocated, but that will take years to become really viable even if they can find the $$$.  If they can't find the $$$ for an existing farm, finding the $$$ to rebuild at a new location seems far fetched to me.

I hope I'm 1000% wrong.

Right there with you.

Want to bet there's already a deal in the works for the farm property?

I wouldn't take that bet.  Between increasing tax base, enriching cronies and political donations, I'd be a fool to take that bet.