Post by: Stilly bay on November 30, 2012, 11:39:53 PM
I Love the pheasant release program warts and all. as this season came to an end it made realize how much I would have missed if the program was not available.
I watched my youngest lab become a pheasant finding machine. after he had enough contacts, he went from a lumbering pup to a pheasant seeking missile that I now have the utmost confidence in.
some days my dogs made me look like I knew what I was doing- other days not so much.
I got to see a setter pup point and retrieve his first four pheasants ever one morning. he realized pheasants are much more interesting than the tweety birds and barn owls he was pointing before.
I missed birds, and shot birds and missed some more.
I saw some old friends and made some new ones, I was even there for a first kill.
I had some very successful walks and a few successful hunts.
I got sunburned and soaked to the bone.
I saw old grey muzzled arthritic dogs get an extra spring in their step when they came across fresh scent.
I saw young pups running a muck while their owners yelled in vain.
I get to try new pheasant recipes and share them with friends if I don't burn them.
I saw tiny puppies not yet old enough to hunt, sniff the grass and puzzle over new smells as they trailed the heels of their masters.
I made christmas and thanksgiving decorations with pheasant feathers.
I helped an elderly hunter limp back to his truck ,who in his own words "knew better than to go after those chinese pheasants, but just couldn't resist"
I saw some very young kids proudly carrying the roosters their fathers shot.
I also saw a bunch of complete strangers working alone but in unison so that a level of safety could be maintained while walking the crowded fields. outside of freeway driving that doesn't happen much.
if it weren't for the program I would have missed it all. because of my work and where I live I wouldn't be able to make it east of the mountains more than once or twice a year. if I could only hunt pheasants once a year I really couldn't justify all the dogs I keep, and lord knows I love my dogs.
everyone complains about the release sites (myself included) but Im sure I am not the only one who is also very grateful they are there and glad that we can run our dogs and hunt pheasants on the west side of the mountains. even if it is only pen raised birds - its all some of us wetsiders have.
if you hunt release site pheasants, jot down a note on this thread or better yet contact those in charge of the program and give them your input and tell them that you participate and your glad its there and want it to continue.
Post by: csaaphill on November 30, 2012, 11:56:32 PM
Post by: fethrduster on December 01, 2012, 07:56:41 AM
They may not fly as strong as wild birds, but I really enjoy going after them regardless, and my dog doesn't know the difference either. I find it invaluable.
Post by: Cascade_fisher on December 01, 2012, 09:09:00 AM
Post by: singleshot12 on December 01, 2012, 12:53:02 PM
I've only been a west side participant for 6 years and before that I was basically against it. Good thing I decided to give it a try, nothing better than seeing your dogs work and your kids enjoying the hunt too.
There is always a few birds that escape the majority of the hunters and after that it's game on, they know they're being hunted and they get wild fast. And not too many people realize this but on a couple of the release sites I frequent I've seen holdovers make it to the following spring and reproduce.
Post by: Stilly bay on December 01, 2012, 12:57:46 PM
That's a scary title Stilly.
They may not fly as strong as wild birds, but I really enjoy going after them regardless, and my dog doesn't know the difference either. I find it invaluable.
Sorry for crying wolf, but I thought it would be a good way to grab the attention of those who hunt pheasants at the release sites.
I think a lot people don't have any idea that the program could come to an end.
just imagine if you saw the title of this thread posted in the migratory and upland game season pamphlet... :yike: I know my heart would skip a beat, and I would be terribly depressed for a long time at losing such a great part of my hunting life.
Like I mentioned above, if you like hunting on the pheasant release sites and want to continue doing so, contact WDFW and tell them. at the very least you will be able to say you did something, if it all falls apart. :twocents:
Post by: Stilly bay on December 01, 2012, 01:03:40 PM
They may not fly as strong as wild birds,
I don't know about that... normally I would agree with you but this year they raised up some very strong flyers... I watched a lot of them fly right off the property!
from what I saw overall quality had improved over other years as well. I don't think I shot a single rooster that wouldn't make a good mount (at least before my hard mouthed SOB lab got a hold of em) and many of the hens were beautiful full feathered birds that looked nothing like some of the feather pecked ones I have seen in years past.
Post by: MP123 on December 01, 2012, 02:36:28 PM
My dog and I have kicked up birds at the release sites in the spring and summers when it's obvious they've survived the winter. Maybe with a dry enough spring some might reproduce some years. It would be nice to get a native population going.
Post by: Stilly bay on December 01, 2012, 02:46:08 PM
I wonder if they're raising a different breed this year?
My dog and I have kicked up birds at the release sites in the spring and summers when it's obvious they've survived the winter. Maybe with a dry enough spring some might reproduce some years. It would be nice to get a native population going.
a lot of the hens I shot had some very striking gold and bronze highlights in their plumage, maybe they are more mature or a different strain...
even though I have been told the pheasants can't survive over here, I know and have seen different. I am sure there is a wild population but its probably so small and scattered it would be impossible to manage them.
Post by: Bullkllr on December 01, 2012, 06:41:20 PM
Thanks for the original post. You're right- we should value the program more and all do more to support it and ensure it's there for us in the future.
I had a great time at the release areas in the south end with my young lab this year. His progression was incredible from the beginning of the season to the end. It simply wouldn't have been possible without the birds provided at the release areas.
I have to agree that this year's crop of birds seemed superior to some past crops. Especially toward the end of the season most seemed very mature and healthy. Good fliers too! It seemed like I encountered more birds (esp. during afternoon hunts) that had a bit of "edge" to them. A couple spotted me from over 100yards away and took off like racehorses. One hen we trailed for probably 1/2 a mile before she flushed.
Good Times!
When I was a kid, we hunted wild pheasants in the Puyallup valley from the Tacoma tide flats up to Sumner. A train gulch near our house was full of wild birds too. There is still a decent (maybe not huntable) population of pheasants in rural/suburban Pierce County. While Western Washington may not provide ideal weather/habitat, pheasants can and do reproduce successfully here. I think lack of large habitat blocks and predation are more limiting factors on the population than the birds' abilities to reproduce.I wonder if they're raising a different breed this year?
My dog and I have kicked up birds at the release sites in the spring and summers when it's obvious they've survived the winter. Maybe with a dry enough spring some might reproduce some years. It would be nice to get a native population going.
a lot of the hens I shot had some very striking gold and bronze highlights in their plumage, maybe they are more mature or a different strain...
even though I have been told the pheasants can't survive over here, I know and have seen different. I am sure there is a wild population but its probably so small and scattered it would be impossible to manage them.
On a side note, years ago I saw the same small, almost black coyote run out of one of the release areas on Fort Lewis with a bird in its mouth at least six times. Interestingly it always happened at about 7:55 am. I think the 'yotes take a huge toll on the plants at the areas I hunt, both before/after we get a shot at them.
Post by: PointNLab on December 01, 2012, 06:48:51 PM
Post by: Atroxus on December 01, 2012, 07:05:08 PM
Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Tapatalk 2
Post by: Shannon on December 02, 2012, 08:46:37 AM
Post by: kyle78 on December 02, 2012, 02:05:16 PM
Post by: 2dognight on December 02, 2012, 08:13:01 PM
Post by: ssharp on December 03, 2012, 10:13:08 AM
P.S. most of the farmers that help raise those 40,000+ birds all spring, summer and through release season barely make over minimum wage and volunteers are obviously doing it for free. So thank them if you run into one. It's a ton of hard work to raise those birds.
Post by: singleshot12 on December 05, 2012, 07:31:29 AM
The program isn't going anywhere. Only way it will is if people stop buying licenses to hunt pheasants. So introduce people to the sport. Help people learn. Sell those tags. You all are salesmen. If you get selfish and don't want to "crowd" release sites then you will be part of the death of the program. More sold licenses means more birds, more employees to raise birds (currently 5 DURING summer and release season, 2-3 in off season) and eventually more land to release on. The program is funded by you, the hunters. Go sell your sport. It will do nothing but good.I know what you mean when you say the program isn't going anywhere and I hope you're right. But some of us fear it may be phased out simply because "the program doesn't seem to be going anywhere" meaning the quality is going down with lost sites and overcrowding etc. There seems to be no question that it's a popular activity that pays for it's self but there are several negatives that need to be worked out or someday the program will be gone. More important than just people buying licenses WE need more volunteers and active people giving support and helping wdfw find more suitable release sites to help distribute the hunters.
P.S. most of the farmers that help raise those 40,000+ birds all spring, summer and through release season barely make over minimum wage and volunteers are obviously doing it for free. So thank them if you run into one. It's a ton of hard work to raise those birds.
Post by: ghosthunter on December 05, 2012, 07:47:35 AM
I really hope the fake title of this thread never comes true... even though it sounds like a possibility looming on the horizon.
I Love the pheasant release program warts and all. as this season came to an end it made realize how much I would have missed if the program was not available.
I watched my youngest lab become a pheasant finding machine. after he had enough contacts, he went from a lumbering pup to a pheasant seeking missile that I now have the utmost confidence in.
some days my dogs made me look like I knew what I was doing- other days not so much.
I got to see a setter pup point and retrieve his first four pheasants ever one morning. he realized pheasants are much more interesting than the tweety birds and barn owls he was pointing before.
I missed birds, and shot birds and missed some more.
I saw some old friends and made some new ones, I was even there for a first kill.
I had some very successful walks and a few successful hunts.
I got sunburned and soaked to the bone.
I saw old grey muzzled arthritic dogs get an extra spring in their step when they came across fresh scent.
I saw young pups running a muck while their owners yelled in vain.
I get to try new pheasant recipes and share them with friends if I don't burn them.
I saw tiny puppies not yet old enough to hunt, sniff the grass and puzzle over new smells as they trailed the heels of their masters.
I made christmas and thanksgiving decorations with pheasant feathers.
I helped an elderly hunter limp back to his truck ,who in his own words "knew better than to go after those chinese pheasants, but just couldn't resist"
I saw some very young kids proudly carrying the roosters their fathers shot.
I also saw a bunch of complete strangers working alone but in unison so that a level of safety could be maintained while walking the crowded fields. outside of freeway driving that doesn't happen much.
if it weren't for the program I would have missed it all. because of my work and where I live I wouldn't be able to make it east of the mountains more than once or twice a year. if I could only hunt pheasants once a year I really couldn't justify all the dogs I keep, and lord knows I love my dogs.
everyone complains about the release sites (myself included) but Im sure I am not the only one who is also very grateful they are there and glad that we can run our dogs and hunt pheasants on the west side of the mountains. even if it is only pen raised birds - its all some of us wetsiders have.
if you hunt release site pheasants, jot down a note on this thread or better yet contact those in charge of the program and give them your input and tell them that you participate and your glad its there and want it to continue.
Very nicely said, your love for the hunt showed though.
:tup:
Post by: singleshot12 on December 05, 2012, 08:30:00 AM
Post by: Relish the Journey on December 05, 2012, 09:02:35 PM
Post by: 509 on December 07, 2012, 06:31:19 PM
Did any of you guys shoot some funny looking birds? I ran into a guy that had shot a rooster that was green and black, really exotic looking. I wonder if they're raising a different breed this year?
They are Japanese Green Pheasants. They were released on some of the Snake River mitigation sites.
Post by: singleshot12 on December 08, 2012, 10:55:19 AM
Post by: singleshot12 on December 08, 2012, 11:04:26 AM
On the bright side I know the state just spent some money updating the pheasant pens for the west side farm. If their (The State) spending some money to fix up pens thats a good thing.
That sounds positive :tup: I hope they also find some more quality realestate to lease to help distribute the hunters