Fishtrap Release Site

[newbs55]

Hey guys just wondering if anyone has any experience with the Fishtrap Release Site. I have a young pup (11 mos) that i was hoping to get on some birds. I know with it being the opener it could be crazy but was just wondering if i would be wasting my time. Any insite would be much appreciated.

[GermanShorthair]

I took my pup there when he was young, but yes expect it to be a zoo. As for the dog sometimes the release birds hold so tight that you literally could just pick the birds up.. hope that helps any

[HighCountryHunter88]

I thought they werent releasing there anymore? i may be wrong.. i have been seeing holdover birds the last couple weeks but there is someone out there killing them and cleaning them in the parking lot. ive been out there twice and found heads and wings that have been removed by a person.

[Shotgun Karaoke]

I thought they werent releasing there anymore? i may be wrong.. i have been seeing holdover birds the last couple weeks but there is someone out there killing them and cleaning them in the parking lot. ive been out there twice and found heads and wings that have been removed by a person.

Saw the same thing Saturday in the parking lot of Crescent Lake.

[CedarPants]

If you are able to go mid-week you'll be ok.  I took my lab out there a lot when he was a pup during the middle of the week and its typically pretty quiet then.  Nothing like the crowds on the weekends anyway.

[newbs55]

Is it just a zoo on the opener cause i was thinking of waiting a couple of weeks. I know there are better areas to go to get him on birds but was just thinking it would be a good place for a quicky hunt. Also it is listed as a release site in this years pamphlet so i would assume they are still planting birds. Thanks for the input guys. This is my first Hunting dog and havent had a ton of time to work with him so he and are are definantly green at all of this. He is half lab half springer. so kind of a weird mix but definantly has a ton of drive and has done well hunting grouse so far this season. He gets distracted fairly easily so being a zoo wouldnt be a good thing. Id rather take him somewhere with less birds where we would have some space

[HighCountryHunter88]

if your willing to fork some cash, there are private ranches that will plant a few birds for u and even mark where they are so you can work your dog in solitude

[newbs55]

Yeah i have considered the ranches. I just hoped maybe the pay to play would be an option if we couldnt get into planted or wild birds. Maybe later on in the season.

[wildweeds]

I ain't gonna give exact coordinates but...........................for another 35-40 minutes of driving you can hunt your dog in solitude on wild birds.Remember if the intent is all about the killing..................your young pup should have been a young pup 2 years ago.The first season is for the dog.......................it's a bonus if you get to gun some birds over him.Kindergartners can't fathom nuclear physics and your pup is going to need to do some figuring to get it together as well.

[goosegetter79]

I heard last year that they had stopped releasing birds there but I don't know for sure. If ur going out there and they are still releasing birds I would wait til middle of the week it won't be a zoo. The one and only time I went out there opening day the dog and I got pelted with pellets. I went 3 days later and it was me and 2 other hunters that morning.

[newbs55]

wildweeds i understand it is all about the dog this season. if a bird is killed it will be a bonus. i just want him to have as many opportunites to get experience as possible. i most likely will be driving the extra miles but was just wondering about this because i thought it would be an easy place to try to squeeze in a quick afternoon or morning hunt. I really appreciate everyone's input and information on this. Once again both otis (my pup) and i are learning and i would hate to put him i a bad situation that would sour him on any aspect of hunting.

[godzylstra]

Earlier this week i called WDFW  to see if they were planting even though opening weekend is the final weekend of modern deer, and all the lady could tell me was that they plant at fishtrap 4 times per season. So with one being the youth hunt which was a month ago i would expect them to plant this weekend for sure, and then once a month after that as well. I have had success there even with no dog because there are so many people moving birds around. But i would recommend going during the week sometime when its mostly just retired guys, and far less hunters if you want to get some more space for the dog!

[goosegetter79]

If you go out there anytime the best place I could find was walking straight back from the gates down along fishtrap lake  and hunted the hillside along it and hunt the little draws that go down to the lake in a couple spots. Hunt along the lake as well may get a shot or 2 at ducks and pheasants like it down along the water as well. Got quite a few pheasants and a couple quail once back there.

[whitey]

Heck if your already at Fishtrap, you may as well keep going south and get into wild birds.
The birds are where there at..
Hunt.. there are still birds out there at Fishtrap.
or
Go to Miller Ranch which is like 15 minutes down the road.
Good luck.