WDFW PHEASANT RELEASE SITES??

[singleshot12]

I'm hearing rumors of a couple western washington release sites being closed due to so-called salmon restoration projects,but no replacement properties as of yet. And I also heard that the fee to hunt pheasants this year is jumping from $35 to $90, but if you get your permit before July 26th it will still be $35..

I smell B.S.

Anybody know what the deal is?

[jackelope]

$75.00, $35.00 for seniors and youths.
haven't heard of any closures though. there's a thread or 3 on here re: the new fees and surcharges that take effect 7/26.

[Shannon]

The Skagit site is closed for this year with no replacement in the works so far. The dikes are scheduled to be removed this Friday or at least started to be removed. The new dikes are in and ready to go so the old ones start coming out on Friday. Pretty much closed for good but the boat launch will remain. I trained my dog there for the last time this morning.

[huntingfool7]

Last time I talked to WDFW the west side release card is going to $75-80.  Good for the whole season.  No more punchcard, no more 8 bird limit and buy another card.  If you have the punchcard already it's still valid for the 8 birds.  Daily limit will remain 2 birds/day.

[FISHBOY]

Does anyone know if they are going to release at Fishtrap this fall?

[JBR]

Just called the Mill Creek Office (WDFW) to see if they had secured any replacement sites for those closed by the Skagit closure.  They had a public meeting Aug 27th where they apparently discussed various possible replacement sites, with landowners and the general public, however nothing has been confirmed.  They told me to watch the WDFW website for a news release regarding the new locations, once they have been secured. Until then, hurry up and wait I guess.  We usually hunt at Smith Farm in Stanwood, but that's part of the closure, so I guess I'm not sure yet where I'll take my boys for the youth hunt yet.  Plus I hadn't heard about the fee increases until now. Geez...I'll have to think about that one, especially since I still haven't purchased one this year for myself, my wife and our boys...ouch.

[Sportfury]

2009-2010 Upland Pamphlet (pg 11) is showing $42 for youth and $90 for an adult. Ouch is right!

My son is stoked about the upcoming season, but I told him I didn't know if it was worth it, especially after last year. Lots of people, multiple runners (guys who beat feet to be the first one across the field), multiple early starters (some 5 minutes or more), and the first time I got shot rained on me while standing in clear sight looking for a downed bird. Going to eastside might cost me a little more, but could be very well worth it. 

[singleshot12]

Well with the big fee hike and all atleast "over crouding" wont be an issue anymore with just the rich *censored*es out chasing the birds.
The main intent of that program was to introduce kids into hunting and training for the dog. The average Joe with kids these days will have a hard time affording it anymore. I guess I'll have to break the news to the kid and lab we're not doing it this year    

[bobcat]

I bought my 2009 western wa. pheasant license before the price went up. I'll probably still buy it next year because it's still cheaper than paying for the gas to drive to eastern wa. I still don't consider it "real" hunting, but I like to take my dog out there just for the exercise if nothing else, and I may as well shoot a pheasant if she happens to point one. It's convenient for me being only 1/4 mile drive to where I park. I won't go in the mornings as it's just too crowded but in the afternoons many times I'm the only one out there.

[WDFW-SUX]

90 bucks is a steep price for the release sites

[JBR]

Here's the lastest from today...

WASHINGTON DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE   Print Version
NEWS RELEASE
600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA 98501-1091 
 



September 16, 2009
Contact: Lora Leschner, (425) 775-1311 ext. 121



WDFW to release pheasants on the
Skagit Wildlife Area’s Samish Unit



OLYMPIA – The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) will release pheasants this fall at the Skagit Wildlife Area’s Samish Unit rather than the Headquarters Unit, where a substantial portion of land is no longer suitable for pheasant hunting.

WDFW is temporarily moving its pheasant release program to the Samish Unit because an estuary restoration project has returned portions of recreational land on the Headquarters Unit to intertidal habitat for fish and wildlife. In the past, pheasants were released on the Headquarters Unit during the general hunting season.

“This is a stopgap solution for this year to address the loss of suitable pheasant release sites at Headquarters,” said Lora Leschner, regional wildlife program manager for WDFW. “We will continue to work toward securing alternative sites in the region where we can permanently relocate our pheasant release operations.”

Pheasants will be released several days a week on the Samish Unit from Sept. 25 to Nov. 7.

Hunters who plan to hunt the Samish Unit during the hours of 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. on the weekends must choose to hunt on odd- or even-numbered weekend days when purchasing a license. All pheasant hunters may hunt the unit from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. seven days a week during the hunting season.

The general westside pheasant hunting season runs from Oct. 3 through Nov. 30. For more information on upland bird hunting seasons, visit WDFW’s website at http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/game/water/water.htm.

Meanwhile, delays in an estuary restoration project on the Skagit Wildlife Area’s Leque Island Unit will likely allow WDFW to release pheasants there this fall. For updates on pheasant releases at the Leque Island Unit, hunters can check WDFW’s website at http://wdfw.wa.gov/lands/wildlife_areas/skagit/unit.php?searchby=unit&search=Leque%20Island.

Restoration projects on the Skagit Wildlife Area are intended to restore important habitat for wildlife and fish, particularly salmon, Leschner said. WDFW owns and manages the entire 16,700-acre Skagit Wildlife Area to preserve habitat for fish and wildlife, and provide a site for outdoor recreation.

[road.kill]

Looks like more pheasant hunter vs. duck hunter feuds will ensue this year

[go4itlab]

Don't bother hunting the release site across from the Bp refinery. It is all tore up on both sides of the Blaine Rd, from the railroad tracks to Jackson Rd. Heron restoration work going on, tons of people and excavation equipment. I work at the refinery and have watched that area get smaller and smaller. I can tell you it's the size of a post stamp. I wouldn't be surprised if they shut it down as a release site. Stick to Lake Terrell area or Intalco