Received this today. Thought I would pass it on.
I’m writing to update you on the 2014 pheasant season and to let you know that there will not be a meeting this month in Mount Vernon. This is due to three vacant positions in the Wildlife Program in Region 4 and not having much to report in the way of changes from last year. One of the positions we are in the process of recruiting for is someone to oversee the Private Lands Access Program in the Region. This has the potential to increase our ability to find and develop new pheasant release sites on private properties in King, Snohomish, Skagit, Island and Whatcom Counties. Keep an eye on our website for more information about this position.
The dates for the 2014 Western Washington pheasant season are as follows:
Sept. 20 & 21 (youth only)
Sept. 22-26 (hunters 65 years or older only)
Sept. 27-Nov. 30 (open to all pheasant permit holders)
I’m attaching “Region 4 2014 Pheasant Release Information” for your information. Please note that a couple of items are still being worked on at this time.
To address the issues that Bow Hill residents have with noise, trespassing and additional road traffic, we have decided to reduce the number of pheasants released at the site. Securing a more suitable site in Skagit County remains a priority for the Department. We are continuing with efforts to sell some small, underutilized properties in the region and hope to use the revenue from these sales to purchase a property that could be managed for pheasant hunting.
With the legislature approving a supplemental feed budget the Department was able to increase the number of birds for the 2014 season. We are anticipating a full 40,000+ released up and down western Washington. This will be a 2,400 bird increase for westside pheasant hunters.
The following information was provided by Chris White. Note that percentages are guidelines and fluctuate due to bird counts, weather, delivery dates and site issues.
Skagit
10.8% of the total birds produced
4,320 for 2014 (390 per week)
4,061 were delivered in 2013
Lake Terrell
11.4% of the total birds produced
4,560 for 2014 (420 with a few 405’s per week)
4,287 were delivered in 2013
Cherry Valley
11.3% of the total birds produced
4,520 for 2014 (420 with a few 405’s per week)
4,249 were delivered in 2013
Whidbey Island
7.3% of the total birds produced
2,920 for 2014 (270 with a few 255’s)
2,745 were delivered in 2013
I will continue to keep you updated as new information comes my way.
Thanks for all the work you do to make this program what it is.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Russ
Russell Link
Wildlife Program Manager
Washington Dept. of Fish and Wildlife
16018 Mill Creek Blvd.
Mill Creek, WA 98012
Office: 425-775-1311 ext. 110