Non hunters on release sites?

[Nosferatu]

I had a couple interesting encounters over the last couple days. Yesteray, I was pheasant hunting and spotted someone walking around picking up feathers. He had no gun and more concerning, no blaze orange on.

Today there was someone walking around with their dog, a chihuahua mix of some type, just hanging out on the edge of the slough. He at least had orange on, but his stupid dog came charging after mine and he did nothing to call it off. Luckily my dog obeys me and kept moving.

Do people thing these are just off leash dog parks where guys are allowed to walk around with shotguns? I let the guy with the dog know he needs to keep it under control, but I could tell it fell on deaf ears.

Does anyone know what Game & Fish say about non hunting activities on these sites? I'm not sure if reporting them would do any good or if there is anything they would or could do.

It's just annoying, I go out there to get the hell away from the idiotic general public. I don't want to have to deal with them while my dog is working & I'm trying to focus on him and the birds.

[ICEMAN]

Annoying yes, but I doubt that there is much that can be done. This land is my land, this land is your land...

[madmack76]

i know its not right but sounds like snack time for doggie

[singleshot12]

I run into bird watchers all the time, but once the shooting starts they usually scurry back to their Subaru's

[CP]

Public land is public land .. as long as they have the right paperwork hanging  from their rear view mirror

[seth30]

I run into bird watchers all the time, but once the shooting starts they usually scurry back to their Subaru's

I wish they were like that on fir island

[singleshot12]

   But atleast they stay in or close to their vehicles and not out in the field, don't they?

[seth30]

One of the main reasons I dont hunt there anymore.   Between them and the idiots that show up 15 minutes after legal shooting time, and then set up right one you   Some of them are not familar with dekes, and will actually take photos till they notice you I had one of those bird watchers dogs attack my lab, and it was the final straw for me hunting down there

[singleshot12]

We really do need to write wdfw and beg and plead to have a separate season for bird watchers starting Feb.  Hunters need to do their thing without being constantly harassed by bird watchers.. 

[seth30]

I dont think they should be allowed in for safety reasons at a minium.  You and I dont go to a dog park and start blasting

[NW-GSP]

I saw a couple people picking mushrooms last year at the ebey island release site, not the ones you can buy in the store 

[Sportfury]

This year on the youth hunt at Scatter Creek I saw a guy wearing an all black sweat suit jogging around the road in the release site. He waved at the hunters as he ran by.

The one thing that I would do is ask the bird watchers if they have their "Discover Pass". Mos to them probably don't.

[whitey]

I second the "Discovery Pass" idea..
But I wouldnt ask. I would go look. If they didnt call 5-0 tell them You have a Code 3 in progress ..
Or..
Just put a couple down range.. See if the dog or themself's are gun shy.
Hey now..
Im just saying! Those are some other approaches..
Ive been known to make a few bad discisions from time to time
So use caution while employing these tactics..

[BIGINNER]

shouldn't they be at least get busted for the leash law?  i know all the release site i go to have signs that say that all pets have to be on a leash at all times unless in legal persuite of game...

[huntrights]

It’s an interesting question you bring up regarding non-hunters in pheasant release sites during legal pheasant hunting season.  I called the WDFW enforcement number (360-902-2936) to ask about this particular type of situation.  Since every situation will tend to be unique, a clear answer or remedy to each situation would need to be addressed on an individual basis; only an appropriate enforcement official would be qualified to assess the situation.  If you believe there is a serious situation developing, or you have questions, you should contact the WDFW enforcement office.  However, there are a couple of things that might be worth pointing out.

• I believe the Washington pheasant release sites are public land; this means hunters and non-hunters have a right to be there.

• The non-hunters may just be curious onlookers that may want to hunt someday, or they have just never seen pheasant hunting action and a good bird dog at work.  In light of this scenario, the Hunter’s Code of Conduct guides us to present a positive image to the non-hunter, “Remember that the future of hunting depends on hunters and non-hunters alike.  Be considerate of non-hunters’ sensibilities, and strive to leave them with positive images of hunting and hunters.” (Washington’s 2011 Big Game Hunting Seasons & Regulations, Hunter’s Code of Conduct, p.83).

• Another unfortunate possible scenario might be that some individuals are intentionally obstructing your legal pheasant hunt; hopefully this isn’t happening.  However, if you believe it is, you should contact the WDFW enforcement office ( 360-902-2936, http://wdfw.wa.gov/enforcement/ ).  For further information on this topic you can reference RCW 77.15.210 – Obstructing the taking of fish, shellfish, or wildlife – Penalty (http://apps.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=77.15.210 )

Personally, I would tend to believe most onlookers are just curious.  Leave them with a good impression of hunting and hunters.