All about Washington pheasant

Western and Eastern Washington pheasant programs

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) releases thousands of pheasants each year in order to provide hunting opportunity on both sides of the state. Read on for details on both programs, including seasons, release sites, and license types.

Western Washington pheasant release program

The purpose of the pheasant program in Western Washington is to provide upland bird hunting opportunities. This program encourages participation from new, young, and seasoned hunters.

Naturally sustained pheasant populations are limited in Western Washington due to the cool, wet climate and the lack of grain farming. Each year 35,000 to 40,000 pheasants are released on approximately 25 release sites.

Seasons

(Daily limit is two pheasants of either sex; see possession limits in the game bird regulations.)

Youth: Sept. 18-19

65+ or disabled: Sept. 20-24

Regular: Sept. 25-Nov. 30

Extended: Dec. 1-15 (see pamphlet for site locations)

· To alleviate hunting pressures on some popular hunting sites between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m., hunters must choose either odd-numbered or even-numbered weekend dates when purchasing a license. See regulations for further details and a full list of wildlife area units.

· Pheasant hunting may only occur from 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

· All pheasant release sites in Washington require non-toxic shot.

Where to go

Region 4 (Island, King, Pierce, Skagit, Snohomish counties): OLF Coupeville, Zylstra Road, Bayview, Arnold Farm, Cherry Valley, Stillwater, JBLM, Samish (youth and senior), Crescent Lake, Ebey Island

Region 5 (Clark, Cowlitz, Lewis counties): Shillapoo, Vancouver Lake, Lincoln Creek, Kosmos, Woodland

Region 6 (Grays Harbor, Mason, Pacific, Thurston counties): Chehalis River (Brady), Hunter Farms, Mason Lake, Chinook, Scatter Creek, Skookumchuck, JBLM, Trask Lake

For more information on Western Washington pheasant release sites: https://wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/locations/pheasant-release

License types and fees

*Small game license is NOT required in Western Washington.

For more information about Western Washington pheasant: https://wdfw.wa.gov/sites/default/files/publications/01923/wdfw01923.pdf

A rooster pheasant stands in a field of dry grass. — Rooster pheasants are released to supplement harvest in Eastern Washington.

Eastern Washington pheasant release program

Each year thousands of pheasants are released on lands accessible to the public. The Eastern Washington release sites are shown on the maps in this pamphlet. Rooster pheasants are released to supplement harvest. We do not provide release dates in order to minimize crowding at these release sites.

Seasons

(Daily limit is three roosters; see possession limits in the game bird regulations.)

Youth: Sept. 18-19

65+ or disabled: Sept. 20-24

Regular: Oct. 23-Jan. 17

· All pheasant release sites in Washington require non-toxic shot.

Where to go

Region 1 (Ferry, Lincoln, Spokane, Whitman, Garfield, Columbia, Asotin, Walla Walla counties): Sherman Creek, Fishtrap Lake, John Henley, Central Ferry HMU, Willow Bar/Rice Bar, Hartstock Unit, Asotin Wildlife Management Area, Mill Creek HMU, Hollebeke HMU

Region 2 (Okanogan, Chelan, Grant counties): Kline/Hegdahl, Chiliwist, Swakane Canyon, Chelan Butte, Banks, Steamboat Rock, Gloyd Seeps, Quincy, Buckshot, Lower Crab Creek

Region 3 (Yakima, Kittitas, Franklin, Benton counties): Sunnyside, Whiskey Dick, Big Flat HMU, Toothaker, Hope Valley, Lost Island

Region 5 (Klickitat county): Finn Ridge Road, Goldendale Hatchery, Gun Club Property

For more information on Eastern Washington pheasant release sites: https://wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/locations/pheasant-enhancement