Hunting Washington Forum

Other Hunting => Upland Birds => Topic started by: BTStewart on September 04, 2025, 04:36:17 PM

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Title: Youth Upland Weekend
Post by: BTStewart on September 04, 2025, 04:36:17 PM

This will be my oldest son's first season upland hunting with me, and I am planning to get him out for the WA youth upland weekend that's coming up here. I would be curious to hear other's experience with this, with a couple of specific questions:

1) Is it better to focus on the pheasant release sites or just hit public land? I am inclined to use the release sites with the thinking that shots on planted birds will be much easier, but conversely if they're all going to be a zoo I think we'd have a better time elsewhere.

2) With how early the season is and how warm it's been I am pretty concerned about snakes. My dog doesn't go after them or anything, but when he's birdy he will totally ignore whatever they're doing potentially to his harm. This might be another reason to stick with the release sites. I will certainly avoid known rattlesnake hotspots / habitat wherever we go.

I will mention we live in the Post Falls area although I could stay with relatives in the Wenatchee area if it would be that much better. A lot more snakes out that way than there here though, seems to me at least.

Title: Re: Youth Upland Weekend
Post by: Henrydog on September 05, 2025, 05:40:30 AM

My kids are way too old, and I ran out of the last nephews that I took out.  This is the best thing Washington does.  If your in Post Falls go to the Fishtrap release site.  They plant it super heavy and there are very few kids.  My last year was 2 years ago and we were done in 30 minutes?  I normally do not hunt release sites because I dislike the hordes of people but it is worth a peek.  Your dog will go nuts there is so much scent my springer gets over whelmed on youth season

Title: Re: Youth Upland Weekend
Post by: metlhead on September 05, 2025, 06:09:37 AM

I'd hit up the release site then explore the public lands for some quail and dove action. Snakes are a concern but odds are in your good favor. I hunted quail all over southern AZ and CO for years. Never had a close call

Title: Re: Youth Upland Weekend
Post by: BTStewart on September 06, 2025, 01:09:06 PM

Thanks guys, appreciate the feedback!