| Western
Washington Pheasant Hunting
By Patricia Thompson, Wildlife Biologist and Curt Young,
Wildlife Area Manager
Many people
in the state of Washington enjoy the sport of pheasant hunting.
There are currently 26 pheasant release sites in western Washington
with12 sites in Region 4 (Island, King, Skagit, Snohomish,
and Whatcom counties), 5 sites in Region 5 (Clark, Cowlitz
and Lewis counties), and 9 sites in Region 6 (Clallam, Grays
Harbor, Mason, Pacific, Pierce and Thurston counties).
Western
Washington has less-than-ideal climate and habitat for natural
pheasant reproduction and these birds find it difficult to
nest successfully. Although there are some agricultural areas,
the lack of grain farming and the wet, cold, spring climate
doesn’t result in significant natural populations. The
Western Washington Pheasant Release program provides a hunting
opportunity and encourages participation from young and older
aged hunters. Visit the Washington Department of Fish and
Wildlife Internet site for more detailed information on W.
Washington Pheasant Release Program at http://www.wa.gov/wdfw/huntcorn.htm.
Release
sites are selected on the basis of ownership, hunting cover,
safety and availability of land to hunters. The number of
pheasants released on each site is based on the estimated
numbers of hunters using those sites. This estimate is in
part, based on permit punch card returns. That’s why
it is so important to return the cards.
For example
in Region 4 in 2002, the Snoqualmie Wildlife Area received
approximately 4,700 pheasants on the Cherry Valley, Crescent
Lake and Stillwater units. On Whidbey Island, OLF-Coupeville,
Sea Plane Base, Ebey Prairie/Arnold Farm and Bayview obtained
about 1,550 pheasants, with the Sea Plane Base getting the
bulk. The Skagit Wildlife Area, including Smith Farm, got
about 4,480 pheasants; in Whatcom Co., Lake Terrell, including
ARCO and Intelco release sites, received 4,150.
The releases
start in late September with the Senior/Juvenile special hunt
and continue until the end of November, usually Thanksgiving.
Typically, birds are released five days per week in the late
afternoon on the Snoqualmie Wildlife Area; however, this year
with budget cuts and lower staffing levels, releases may not
occur as frequently. The Skagit, Whidby Island, and Lake Terrell
releases are usually made on weekends and one weekday. The
Department often uses volunteers to release the birds.
The Lewis
County Game Farm established in 1946 is the WDFW’s one
remaining pheasant rearing facility run by the State. All
other facilities were gradually phased out by 1996. The objective
for the game farm, after development of more facilities, will
raise about 40,000 pheasant per year. The operation cost for
the game farm was about $290,000 in 2000.
Some
Myths and Tips on Hunting Western Washington Pheasant Release
Sites.
1. If
you don’t get a bird within 45 minutes the area is
“all shot out.” - This assumption leads to the
behavior where 70 percent of the hunters leave the field
by 10:30 A.M. Many times just slowing down will result in
success.
2. If
there are only a few shots fired in the first half hour,
“there were no birds planted or they were all dumped
in one spot.” - Throughout the history of the program,
there have been very few times when birds were not released
on the day scheduled. Release schedules vary from site to
site.
3. Hunt
slowly and give your dog a chance to swing back and forth
in front of you. Do not get out ahead of your dog because
you “want to beat the crowd.”
4. If
you complain about the crowds at 8 A.M. start your hunt
at 10 A.M. Yes, there will be fewer birds, but I assure
you there are still birds to be had. You just have to hunt
harder and smarter for them.
5. Trust
your dog, but don’t walk around blind. Hunt slower
in areas with heavy cover. Physically workout likely spots,
or quit walking and let the dog work. Many birds get nervous
and flee if they no longer can hear you walking away from
them.
6. Train
your dogs with pheasant scent so they know what to look
for. Train dogs to keep close and ignore other dogs. A dog
out more than 70 feet will flush birds for other hunters.
7. Practice
on the trap range beforehand, so you can hit a bird once
it flushes.
8. Keep
track of where other hunters and dogs are. Be a safe hunter!
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