Hunting Washington Forum

Other Hunting => Upland Birds => Topic started by: skagit on January 24, 2011, 11:13:25 AM

Title: Game Farms
Post by: skagit on January 24, 2011, 11:13:25 AM: Now that the upland game season is over I am considering a trip or two to a private game farm this spring and summer to keep the dog going. I am wondering if anyone has hunted Pitt's Game Farm and how it is compared to cook canyon?

http://www.pittsgamefarm.com/ (http://www.pittsgamefarm.com/)
Title: Re: Game Farms
Post by: Moose330 on January 25, 2011, 06:01:17 AM: My dad and I hunted Pitts about a year ago to get some training in for our young dogs. To say the least I was not impressed. The owner of the place is an older gentleman and he is very friendly. After checking us in he went out the the barns and gathered our birds. He then handed us two dog kennels full of birds and had us follow him out to the field where he wanted us to hunt. Unfortunately he is getting up there in the years and was unable to plant the birds for us. I didnt have much exsperence in spinning the birds but did my best. Wind was blowin hard and the birds were running like crazy. Hard for young dogs. Not a very successful training session. I have used Cook Canyon in the past and they were better. The owner said that he was looking to get out of the game farming business. His son that ran the business was killed in a car accident and the grandkids would not come out to help him run the place. Anyway if you have more experienced dogs and dont mind setting your own birds its fine but it was a long way to drive for me and a $150.00 worth of birds that half of stayed in the field for someone else or a coyote to eat.
Title: Re: Game Farms
Post by: ellensburgpo on January 27, 2011, 12:45:24 PM: Hey, we hunted at the Miller Ranch, which is near Sprague a few years back. Had a few little issues with the birds, but overall it was a great time. Wasn't the same as hunting wild birds, but when you've been overseas all hunting season it's nice just to get out. They have a website, I'd give them a look.
Title: Re: Game Farms
Post by: skagit on January 27, 2011, 07:12:56 PM: Thanks. I had a suspicion that Pitts would a little on the flaky side. It is nice to hear about Miller's. Are there any other private hunting places other than Cooke Canyon?
Title: Re: Game Farms
Post by: 2dognight on January 27, 2011, 09:19:30 PM: Pitt's is appropriately named. there are lots of reserves, get a copy of Northwest Sportsman Magazine. What's wrong with Cooke Canyon? I love them.
Title: Re: Game Farms
Post by: gasman on January 28, 2011, 04:57:08 AM: Chexk this site out.

http://www.gamebirdhunts.com/HuntingLocations/WashingtonPheasantHunting/tabid/125/Default.aspx (http://www.gamebirdhunts.com/HuntingLocations/WashingtonPheasantHunting/tabid/125/Default.aspx)
Title: Re: Game Farms
Post by: turkey slayer on January 28, 2011, 08:01:04 PM: PM sent
Title: Re: Game Farms
Post by: griff on January 29, 2011, 10:26:02 AM: miller ranch is not bad, great place to take out of towners or family. going in a couple weeks with a friend. it a good time as long as you keep in mind they are cage birds.. i would use lite loads, or you could end up with Swiss birds :chuckle: double barrel on the other hand SUCKS. not a good place to visit. (just south of spokane).. have fun
Title: Re: Game Farms
Post by: AWS on January 30, 2011, 11:26:29 AM: I've been to the Double Barrel Ranch south of Spokane a couple of times and it was a great experience. It was actualy like hunting wild birds, they just held a little better and they were pretty good looking birds. Nice grounds and freindly folks, we stayed in their guest house and hunted two days(corprate hunt).

AWS
Title: Re: Game Farms
Post by: DoubleJ on January 30, 2011, 07:20:13 PM: So, I'm a newb to this. Let me get this straight. There are places where I can take my dog, out of season, for training and I get to train him, shoot birds, and keep them? Why have I never heard of this before?
Title: Re: Game Farms
Post by: Birdguy on January 30, 2011, 08:40:45 PM: Quote from: DoubleJ on January 30, 2011, 07:20:13 PM
So, I'm a newb to this. Let me get this straight. There are places where I can take my dog, out of season, for training and I get to train him, shoot birds, and keep them? Why have I never heard of this before?
Don't know :dunno:, it is fairly common. There are several pay to play places around the state. Most of them are open from Aug-March if I remember correctly. Most offer several different hunt packages that range from quail to pheasant or a mix bag. Prices for most start about $100 and go up depending on the type and number of birds you have put out.
Title: Re: Game Farms
Post by: ORCA_SIX on March 18, 2011, 11:07:14 AM: Cooke Canyon is great. I have gone there several times during the off season to keep my dog working, nice people, very accommodating and have a good setup with various types of terrain. They will be closing down at the end of this month until August. The prices are not too bad, 150.00 for 5 roosters or 7 hens or 7 chukars. Membership is simple and cheap. Plus for anyone on the west-side it is an easy drive off of I-90. The only other place I have been too was up in Acme, WA. There is or was a guy who raised and released birds there, maybe even called Acme Hunting Club. Small setup but could be worth it with the cost of gas going up. I believe it was 20 a rooster, couple years back. Good luck in finding a suitable place to go.
Title: Re: Game Farms
Post by: MP123 on March 20, 2011, 10:50:21 AM: Hey Orca,

Do you have any contact info on the Acme Hunt Club? I'm trying to figure out if it's still open since it's a lot closer for me than Cooke Canyon. I drove by it a while back but there wasn't a phone number or anything.
Title: Re: Game Farms
Post by: ORCA_SIX on March 20, 2011, 07:49:15 PM: MP123,

Acme Hunting Club
3110 Standard Road
Deming, WA 98244
(360) 595-0166

I believe the guys name is Jim. Nice guy. He is also a trainer and will walk with you if you want on the hunt. It is not a big setup, but still pretty fun and good if you want to just work your dog a little. Especially for new pups. I have not been up there in over a year, so hopefully he is still in business. Good luck.
Title: Re: Game Farms
Post by: wildweeds on May 01, 2011, 01:05:29 PM: Yeah Jim still at it,I've known him about 15 years or so,when you pull into his outfit you'll get greeted by a setter that is a littermate to my FC. I'll forewarn you about Jim, he's a talker and I wouldn't plan on it being a slam bam,pay hunt leave type of outing, more like......B.S. round up birds.B.S. plant birds,B.S. hunt birds....and B.S while doing it,then B.S. more.

I talked with him on the phone about 2 weeks ago and someone came for a hunt,had a dog that couldn't find all their birds and the setter on the porch was enlisted for help,the party had wounded a bird during their hunt,the setter pointed it and Jim warned them TO NOT SHOOT running birds on the ground, well the crippled bird took of running and the setter went with it in hot pursuit...............Bang they shot the setter from about 10 yards in his front half.............They loaded the dog up and headed to the vet and the party paid for the services and were informed they wouldn't be welcome back until some sort of firearms saftey course was taken and they could prove they would follow directions.Which is way nicer than I would have been.............
Quote from: ORCA_SIX on March 20, 2011, 07:49:15 PM
MP123,

Acme Hunting Club
3110 Standard Road
Deming, WA 98244
(360) 595-0166

I believe the guys name is Jim. Nice guy. He is also a trainer and will walk with you if you want on the hunt. It is not a big setup, but still pretty fun and good if you want to just work your dog a little. Especially for new pups. I have not been up there in over a year, so hopefully he is still in business. Good luck.
Title: Re: Game Farms
Post by: TW GUIDES on May 01, 2011, 02:43:15 PM: Check out Tanglewood Ranch. www.tanglewoodranch.net (http://www.tanglewoodranch.net)
Title: Re: Game Farms
Post by: gasman on May 01, 2011, 06:21:09 PM: Quote from: TW GUIDES on May 01, 2011, 02:43:15 PM
Check out Tanglewood Ranch. www.tanglewoodranch.net (http://www.tanglewoodranch.net)

Looks cool, might have to check it out some time.

Any overnight RV parking/camping allowed over night at the ranch?
Any info on the Bed & Breakfast offered?
Title: Re: Game Farms
Post by: kenlguy on May 02, 2011, 08:37:47 AM: I just had my DD at Cook Canyon for a month of training. Seems to be pretty good folks that have a good program. I plan on joining the club later this year. At least I'll have something to shoot at. ;)
Title: Re: Game Farms
Post by: bonneylakebowman on May 02, 2011, 09:44:26 AM: Hey Kenlguy what dog was yours? I'm going to go pick up my pup tomorrow morning from doug. She was the black gsp/lab mix. Doug and alice are great people and I will be going back to them to hunt and train
Title: Re: Game Farms
Post by: kenlguy on May 02, 2011, 10:55:01 AM: My DD was Oly. He was in a middle kennel towards the back.
Scott and I took him out to the sage brush area and he was able to point both birds plus another one that had been lost earlier that day. He was only there for 4 wks which is kinda short for initial training so he will be going back for more.
Title: Re: Game Farms
Post by: bonneylakebowman on May 02, 2011, 11:01:37 AM: Oh ok doug took my pup. I'm stoked to go get her tomorrow :IBCOOL:
Title: Re: Game Farms
Post by: Birdguy on May 02, 2011, 10:01:11 PM: Gasman, you will have a great time at Tanglewood. I am certain they could hook you up with a place for an RV. If you get serious about going an do not want to camp or bring your RV, get a hold of me. I have a place (small cabin) 30 minutes or so from there that you could stay. There is also a great little lake (fish lake in the Sinlahiken valley) just over the hill from Tanglewood that is a great place to camp and fish during decent weather (April-Oct) though it is way too crowded during most deer seasons.
Title: Re: Game Farms
Post by: gasman on May 03, 2011, 04:48:11 AM: Quote from: Birdguy on May 02, 2011, 10:01:11 PM
Gasman, you will have a great time at Tanglewood. I am certain they could hook you up with a place for an RV. If you get serious about going an do not want to camp or bring your RV, get a hold of me. I have a place (small cabin) 30 minutes or so from there that you could stay. There is also a great little lake (fish lake in the Sinlahiken valley) just over the hill from Tanglewood that is a great place to camp and fish during decent weather (April-Oct) though it is way too crowded during most deer seasons.

Thanks, i appreciate it :tup:
Title: Re: Game Farms
Post by: MLBowhunting on July 03, 2011, 03:45:46 PM: Do some of these places let you use their dogs? i dont have a bird dog but i just was given a shotgun for my birthday and would like to go for some birds.
Title: Re: Game Farms
Post by: huntnfmly on July 03, 2011, 04:11:47 PM: I think cooke canyon has some dogs that come with a guide for a price but its not very much.Perfect for someone in your shoes
Quote from: MLBowhunting on July 03, 2011, 03:45:46 PM
Do some of these places let you use their dogs? i dont have a bird dog but i just was given a shotgun for my birthday and would like to go for some birds.
Title: Re: Game Farms
Post by: BOWHUNTER45 on July 03, 2011, 05:42:38 PM: Quote from: ORCA_SIX on March 20, 2011, 07:49:15 PM
MP123,

Acme Hunting Club
3110 Standard Road
Deming, WA 98244
(360) 595-0166

I believe the guys name is Jim. Nice guy. He is also a trainer and will walk with you if you want on the hunt. It is not a big setup, but still pretty fun and good if you want to just work your dog a little. Especially for new pups. I have not been up there in over a year, so hopefully he is still in business. Good luck.
Last time I went their my dog cought them all... owell good for the dog to get feathers in his mouth... :chuckle:
Title: Re: Game Farms
Post by: Birdguy on July 03, 2011, 09:02:57 PM: Most of the pay to play places have a dog or two around that can help you out. I would also bet if you asked on here and offer to pay for the birds that someone had a dog that would love to get out on a few birds prior to the start of the season. I think most pay to play places are closed until the first of Aug. they are notallowed to hunt during the "wild" hatch and rearing season. Call around to a few places and see what s going on.
Title: Re: Game Farms
Post by: MLBowhunting on July 05, 2011, 12:10:18 AM: ok guys thanks alot, you guys are awesome :tup:
Title: Re: Game Farms
Post by: cem3434 on July 06, 2011, 06:16:27 AM: Quote from: skagit on January 27, 2011, 07:12:56 PM
Thanks. I had a suspicion that Pitts would a little on the flaky side. It is nice to hear about Miller's. Are there any other private hunting places other than Cooke Canyon?

There is also Whiskey Dick Ranch between Ellensburg and Vantage off the Old Vantage Highway. Its not a bad place and is cheaper than Cooke Canyon. The owner is a guy named Darren and he is usually willing to negotiate on his pricing if you have a larger group.
Title: Re: Game Farms
Post by: bonneylakebowman on July 06, 2011, 11:41:22 PM: Is whiskey dick still open? When I went to look them up a while ago I couldnt find anything online about them
Title: Re: Game Farms
Post by: RadSav on July 07, 2011, 03:43:26 AM: The Squaw and I really like Mayville Flats out of Fossil, OR. A little smaller birds than many places, but he breeds them to be good flyers. Skip throws a Reeves in once in a while which really gets the dogs pumped up! The Bobwhite's are a real kick as well. Good pricing, nice lodge and a choice of flat easy walking or steep canyon hunting. Only problem is Oregon's reserve Season ends in mid March.