Outdoors notebook | Prospects appear good for westside pheasant hunting

The Western Washington pheasant hunting season is just on the horizon, and hunters can expect some fairly decent opportunities in northern Puget Sound.

The general Westside pheasant hunting season runs from Oct. 3-Nov. 30.

This fall, state Fish and Wildlife will be releasing pheasants at the Skagit Wildlife Area's Samish Unit as well as Leque Island instead the Headquarters Unit where sections of the land had been turned into intertidal habitat for fish and wildlife.

"We'll be releasing birds [several days a week] at the Samish Unit through Nov. 7, and on Leque Island through the end of November," said John Garrett, manager of the Skagit Wildlife Area. "Our allotment of pheasants will be about the same as last year, which is 4,500 birds."

"That is a great allotment of birds, and the hunting went great last year," Garrett said. "The bird allotment is more than adequate, and another bit of advice to hunters is don't worry about getting there first thing in the morning. Come in the afternoon after the crowds have left, when it has warmed up a bit and the birds are moving around more."

Another tip Garrett pointed out is that on public hunting areas many head out into the field and expect to shoot their limits in 15 minutes, but with these pen reared birds they can be just as elusive as the wild ones.

"Hunt hard like you do in Eastern Washington, and you'll continue to find birds and just because someone has gone ahead of you in the field it doesn't always mean his dog hasn't missed a bird here and there," Garrett said.

The Samish Unit is a great place to hunt and more open according to Garrett, and there is approximately 240 acres of barely so there is good cover and it is planted primarily to enhance the site for the waterfowl food source to help enhance the waterfowl opportunities.

Hunters who plan to hunt the Samish Unit during the hours of 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. on the weekends must choose to hunt on odd- or even-numbered weekend days when purchasing a license. All pheasant hunters may hunt the unit from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. seven days a week during the hunting season.

Annually about 30,000 to 40,000 pheasants are released in Western Washington's 25 release sites. For a list of specific sites go to http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/game/water/wwapheas.htm.

Youth hunters statewide will get a head start to the waterfowl, pheasant, quail and partridge season on Sept. 26-27. During this weekend, hunters under age 16 accompanied by an adult will be allowed to hunt. Also on Sept. 28-Oct. 2 there will be a special pheasant hunt for those 65 years and older.

"I'll have good numbers of pheasants released for the youth hunt," Garrett said. "The waterfowl hunting predictions are good [when it opens Oct. 17], and we are supposed to have god numbers of dabbling ducks and snow geese."

The State of Washington, Fort Lewis, the Fort Lewis Releasers, and Pheasants Forever are sponsoring a Youth Hunt 7:30 a.m. Sept. 26-27 at Fort Lewis in Tacoma. Hunter safety cards are required. Details: 253-847-3979 or 253-845-0746.

Other upcoming hunts: The statewide deer season opens Oct. 17, and the Eastern Washington pheasant season opens Oct. 24.

Notes

• The NOAA Fisheries Service is hosting public meetings on the proposed killer whale vessel regulations 7 p.m. Sept. 24 at the Pier One Main Warehouse, 100 Commercial Ave. in Anacortes; 7 p.m. Sept. 30 at the Seattle Aquarium, Pier 59 in Seattle; and 7 p.m. Oct. 5 at The Grange Hall, First St. in Friday Harbor. Details: www.nwr.noaa.gov/Marine-Mammals/Whales-Dolphins-Porpoise/Killer-Whales/ESA-Status/Orca-Vessel-Regs.cfm.

• The Steelhead Trout Club of Washington meeting is 6 p.m. Sept. 23 at the Orient Express Restaurant, 2963 4th Ave. South in Seattle. Guest speaker is Gary Loomis with the Coastal Conservation Association. Details: www.steelheadclub.com.

• The Seattle Rifle and Pistol Association hunter sight-in is 9 a.m.-3 p.m. today, and Sept. 26-27, Oct. 3-4, and Oct. 10-11. Cost is $5. The club is located at 725 135th Ave. S.E. in Snohomish. Details: 360-659-9362.

• The Edmonds Laebugten Salmon Chapter of Trout Unlimited meeting is 6:30 p.m. Sept. 23 at the South County Senior Center, 220 Railroad Ave. in Edmonds. Guest speaker Tom Nelson from KIRO Radio The Outdoor Line will discuss downrigging tricks. Details: 425-218-0654.

• The Washington Trails Association Hiker Social Potluck is 6 p.m. Sept. 23 at Larrabee State Park's covered picnic area. Bring a dish and join the WTA staff, local members and hikers for some trail talk. Please RSVP to Kindra Ramos. Details: 206-965-8563 or e-mail kindra@wta.org.

• The Overlake Fly Fishing Club is celebrating their 35th Anniversary 6 p.m. Sept. 22 at the Holiday Inn in Issaquah. Cost is $26. Details: 206-243-1182 or e-mail lorywat@cs.com.

• The Icicle Valley Chapter of Trout Unlimited Conservation Banquet is Sept. 26 at the Festhall in Leavenworth. Details: 509-548-7662 or www.icicletrout.org.

• The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission is beginning a process that will lead to land-use plans in southern Puget Sound for Kopachuck, Penrose Point, Joemma Beach and Jarrell Cove state parks as well as several boat- access only parks for Stretch Point (on Stretch Island), McMicken Island, Harstine Island, Hope Island and Eagle Island state parks.

Public workshops are scheduled 6:30-8:30 p.m. Sept. 21 at Kopachuck Middle School in Gig Harbor; Sept. 22 at Key Peninsula Middle School in Lakebay; Sept. 24 at Harstine Island Community Hall; and Sept. 29 at the Olympia Center in Olympia. Details: 360-902-8652 or www.parks.wa.gov/plans.

• The new nonprofit Cascade Musky Association is looking for members. Cost is $25 or $35 for a couple/family membership. Details: www.cascademuskyassociation.com or www.wafish.com.

• The Washington Fly Fishing Club meeting is 5:30 p.m. on the third Tuesday of every month at the Seattle Tennis Club. Please RSVP to attend meetings. Details: www.WFFC.com.

• The Mount St. Helens Institute offers a free Sunday Hiking Program in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest, now through Oct. 25. The hikes range from easy to difficult, and are 4 to 10 miles round-trip. Space is limited and reservations are required. While the hikes are free, a $5 donation is suggested. Details: www.mshinstitute.org.

• The Western Bass Club meets every third Thursday at 7 p.m. at the Kennydale Hall in Renton. Details: www.westernbassclub.comor www.nickbarrfishing.com.

• The Washington Trails Association offers statewide trip reports and trail conditions. Details: www.wta.org.

• The Northwest Fly Anglers offer various public classes through the year. The public also is invited to club meetings on the third Thursday of each month, at the Haller Lake Community Center, 12579 Densmore Ave N., in North Seattle. Details: 206-684-7524.

• The Emerald Sea Dive Club offers year-round activities, including the big buddy program and weekly and monthly dives. The club meets on the first Wednesday of every month, 7-9 p.m. at Alfy's Pizza, 4820 196th SW in Lynnwood. Details: 425-775-2410 or www.emeraldseadiveclub.org.

• The Seattle Audubon Society offers field trips and classes every month. Details: 206-523-4483 or www.seattleaudubon.org.

• Northend Bassmasters is accepting new members who want to learn more about bass fishing. The group meets on the first Tuesday of every month at 7 p.m. at the Crystal Creek Cafe, 22620 Bothell-Everett Highway (Canyon Park) in Bothell. Details: 206-789-4259 or e-mail Gary Millard at glmillard@comcast.net.

Mark Yuasa: 206-464-8780 or myuasa@seattletimes.com