Washington Pheasant Program

Western and Eastern Washington Pheasant Programs

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 limits. Each year 35,000 to 40,000 pheasants are released on approximately 25 release sites.

Youth pheasant hunt at Scatter Creek Wildlife Area.

Seasons

(Limit two pheasants of either sex, see possession limits in the migratory waterfowl pamphlet)

Youth: Sept. 21–22
65+ or disabled: Sept. 23–27
Regular: Sept. 28-Nov. 30
Extended: Dec. 1–15 (see pamphlet for site locations)

To alleviate hunting pressures on some popular hunting sites, hunters must choose either odd-numbered or even-numbered weekend dates when purchasing a license. See regulations for further details and 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.

Release day at Scatter Creek Wildlife Area.

Where To Go

Region 4 (Island, King, Pierce, Skagit, Snohomish, Whatcom counties): Sea Plane Base, OLF Coupville, Zylstra Rd, Bayview, Arnold Farm, Cherry Valley, Stillwater, JBLM, Samish (youth and senior), Crescent Lake, Ebey Island, Lake Terrell, BP, Intalco

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

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

For more places to go visit: https://wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/locations/pheasant-release

License Types and Fees

A small game license is NOT required.

More information about western Washington Pheasant:
http://wdfw.wa.gov/sites/default/files/publications/01923/wdfw01923.pdf

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 because we want to minimize crowding at these release sites and promote hunter ethics.

Over the past two decades Eastern Washington has been experiencing a decline in pheasant harvest. Habitat loss has been identified as the leading factor for the decline. To address the loss of habitat WDFW initiated an aggressive habitat enhancement program. To fund this program the Legislature in 1997 created the Eastern Washington Pheasant Enhancement Fund.

The Eastern Washington Pheasant Enhancement Fund is a dedicated funding source. The fund is used solely for pheasant habitat enhancement on public and private lands and for the purchase of rooster pheasants that are released on lands accessible to the public.

Habitat protection and enhancement continues to be WDFW’s primary tool to maintain pheasant populations and hunting opportunity.

Seasons

(Limit 3 roosters, see possession limits in the migratory waterfowl pamphlet)

Youth: Sept. 21–22
65+ or disabled: Sept. 23–27
Regular: Oct. 19-Jan. 20

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, Lower Crab Creek

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

Region 5 (Kickitat county): Finn Ridge Rd, Goldendale Hatchery, Gun Club Property

For more places to visit:
https://wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/locations/pheasant-release