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Finding a place to hunt is becoming more challenging for a variety of reasons. Hunters increasingly have no other choice than to hunt on public hunting areas, which can lead to overcrowding conditions and a less than satisfactory hunting experience. At the same time landowners–in many cases farmers– are growing crops and managing their land in a manner conducive to waterfowl use. The logical solution is to provide resources and incentives for landowners so that the hunting public has increased opportunity to pursue game.
The Waterfowl Quality Hunt Program (WQHP) is designed to increase hunting opportunity in the state on land previously unknown or inaccessible to the general public. The Waterfowl Quality Hunt Program iis focuses on providing the public with duck and goose hunting in the North Puget Sound area. There were 40 units in Whatcom, Skagit, and north Snohomish counties in the quality hunt program in 2010-11. Some of those units will be available to the public in 2011-12. However, there will also be some different sites available to the public that were not in the program in 2010-11. Each unit has been selected based on its quality as a hunting site and the landowner’s willingness to participate in the program.
This WDFW Program is designed to work with landowners to allow limited access to private property. It absolves the landowners of managing hunting on their land, while increasing hunting opportunities for the general public. WDFW works with the landowner to lay out each unit to ensure a safe hunting environment while taking each landowner’s concerns and wishes into account. WDFW compensates each landowner for use of the property for hunting purposes ,using funds provided by those who have purchased Washington State hunting licenses and applied for special permits, as well as funds provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture through the Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Improvement Program (VPA-HIP).
To ensure the long-term success of this program, please obey boundary signs, pick up litter, and obey access rules. WDFW, partner landowners, and your fellow hunters appreciate your cooperation. Access to these sites–and possibility of program continuation–is in the hands of those using them.
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| Sign displayed at the access points and/or parking for each unit. Note the differences between the two (open field and hunting blind access). |
WDFW works with a variety of landowners in this program. Many of them are hunters or have hunter friends and/or family. Many of them know how difficult it can be to gain access to private lands. The grounds within the program are only available because of the landowner’s support of public hunting, and good faith that their property will not be abused. Treating the property/landowners with respect will go a long way in retaining the enrolled landowners’ support.
WDFW personnel regularly check on the Waterfowl Quality Hunt Program (WQHP) units. All landowners watch their land and those hunting on it, and will contact WDFW with information on violators.
Due to the differing topography, crop/cover type, and overall location, the WQHP will offer several types of waterfowl hunting scenarios. The hyperlinks to all the hunting sites will indicate what hunters should expect from each. No site will allow more than three individuals at a time.
- Type 1. The most common of the WQHP sites is a simple as brushed wire on t-posts with a wooden base. Some of these will not offer seating. Hunters may bring seating to these sites as long as they are removed at the end of the hunt.
- Type 2. Similar to that of Type 1 except that they offer seating (for 3). Seating includes stools and benches. Hunters are encouraged to “brush-up” the blinds as long as the material is dead and/or not a crop.
- Type 3. Some of the WQHP sites will have layout style blinds made of 2x4’s and plywood. These sites will have 3 blinds in close proximity to one another. They will be brushed, but hunters are encouraged to add more if needed. Do not cut crops or live vegetation to do this. Additionally, Do not move the layout blind anchors. They are positioned strategically and thoughtfully.
- Type 4. Some hunt sites will offer adequate cover and/or unpredictable hunting, and therefore will be open field access. This means that hunters (limit of 3) can determine where they would like to hunt within the bounds of the site, and freely move about. Hunters may bring their own layout blinds, but do not dig pits or leave piles of vegetation at the site.
- Type 5. These blinds will incorporate large amounts of vegetation that surround the blind. The frame of the blind may include timber, plywood and/or metal posts and wire.
Quality hunt sites for Mason and Jefferson counties
Quality hunt sites for Skagit, Snohomish and Whatcom counties
Please remember: Many of these units have agricultural crops and/or are seasonally functional as waterfowl areas. The unit you see on a map may or may not be ready for hunting as you see them on the maps. Hunters should anticipate full operation of the units by November. If there is no WQHP sign or an area closed sign at the access parking, the unit is not open. Additionally, these units are susceptible to flooding and WDFW may move the location of blinds for adequate access for hunters. Check the maps weekly so you know of any changes to the units.
If any of the sites and/or blinds are in disrepair or need to be moved, please email qualityhunt@dfw.wa.gov to report the problem. We rely on each other to maintain a quality hunting environment.
There are state-owned lands open for public recreation, as well as other private land opportunities in the area. These include waterfowl and pheasant hunting throughout the three counties.
Figure
1. Adult trumpeter swan |
Figure
2. Adult snow goose |
Swans
have long necks in relation to their bodies, black bills and all white
plumage except for “rust” stained heads. Snow geese are
smaller, have shorter necks, rose colored bills and vivid black wing
tips.
Credits: Ginger Holser, WDFW photos. |
Swans in the area
Whatcom, Skagit, and Snohomish Counties hold many waterfowl speciesthat could be confused with snow geese. Several thousand trumpeter and tundra swans reside throughout the three counties from mid-Fall through Spring.
Waterfowlers must be able to discriminate between mature or juvenile swans and their snow goose counterparts. That can be a challenge for inexperienced hunters. With proper species identification and patience, there should be little confusion between the species. Hunters should brush up on all the waterfowl identification skills before the season begins. Under both state and federal laws it is illegal to harm swans under any circumstances.
So that WDFW can better manage the sites and program please send comments and stories to qualityhunt@dfw.wa.gov. Additional useful information includes date hunted, location, and unit condition. Thank you for your feedback.
Good luck and hunt safely! |
