BigBendFishing.Net

While out in WA, not only did we get into grouse and pheasants, we also got Drake onto his first quail. Interestingly enough some of the coveys that we could always count on being there, weren’t. And a few places that used to hold coveys, but hadn’t for years, now had small coveys hanging out there.





We ate at a place with a GINORMOUS burger. ONE pound of meat on this sucker. They also had a challenge burger that had FIVE of those one pound patties piled on it. Tasty burger, but lordy that’s a monster of a burger.



We also tried new canyons (at least for me they were new) looking for our quail.



A couple of the canyons were pretty rocky, which is most definitely something we don’t experience here in FL



But Drake was quite adept at finding his way down. Me, well I’m surprised I didn’t tumble down the entire mountain on multiple occasions.



But even the new places were productive, though perhaps our shooting a little less than stellar.



They sure are pretty birds. Love these cute little boogers.



On the way down one hill, we ran across this interesting site. We had to agree that that was a pretty poor way to go. How unlucky a deer do you have to be to get tangled up in an old saggy barbed wire fence?



Seems that this place is aptly named





It is tough to be a pair of my chaps. But that is the price they pay for not sitting in the closet.





And it’s tough to be a flat lander dog….he was running out of steam towards the end. But with ten days of hard hunting he was holding up well.



But we had some good flushes near that canyon



Which resulted in lots of fun .....the first really good quail hunt without Mike



We headed up another day and saw other critters hanging out up top…they seemed to have the thought that if they didn’t look at us we weren’t there cuz they sure didn’t wanna leave



And we headed down for a very quick hunt down a short canyon that we flushed some birds into



There were times though that Drake would be on birds and I was hurrying as quick as I could



But it sure was a sweet little canyon with a pretty little lady leading the way



And the boys following close behind



And us trying to play catch up



All too quickly we ran out of time and ran out of dog



And it was time to head home. The colors had finally done some changing so I was treated to a beautiful display of colors on the way back, going by various places that were special.



Drake got tired of all this stop and go to see the scenery like this



he sat there and demanded the car keys. Luckily Steve didn’t give em up



And we still heard more grumbling in the back about stopping to see the goofy trees when we should be out chasing quail or grouse



The orchards were particularly pretty as well



But before we left, we had to say goodbye to Mike (as he passed away very suddenly on the WA quail opener) in a very special place. We sat up on the side of the canyon, (Drake not really knowing why we were stopped on the side of the road, just sitting out gazing at the landscape as that was his first trip there) Steve and I each saying goodbye in our own ways. Many great memories were made in that spot, many adventures were had



We missed you big boy…..but wait for us….we’ll see you again someday

Wow, really nice. Mountain quail?

California quail. We were in some mountain quail territory but they can't be hunted in WA. Too small of a population anymore.

More excellent photos and info, thanks very much.

Its especially sad to lose a working dog, they really do provide the lasting memories.

Are the grounds you are shooting public shooting areas, or private ?
I ask the question because we have no public shooting areas in the UK, except in certain areas below the high water mark, for wildfowling.
You require permission from the landowner to shoot anywhere.

Was that a pic of the Yakima River?

Cranfield,

Losing Mike was definitely not expected. He is missed greatly.

We were hunting a combination of public and private land. Some National Forest. Some Wildlife Management Area. A lot of private land that is posted "Feel Free to Hunt" or "Access by Written Permission Only". Washington Dept of Fish and Game has a pretty good system of opening up private lands for hunting and fishing opportunites. There is a good deal of access available to lands that are private because of it.

What kind of bird hunting opportunities are there in the UK, besides wildfowling? Clearly on private land based on what you said, but I'm still curious.

Spothogg- Yup that was a picture of the Yakima River. Beautiful place.

Dani

I would split bird hunting here into two main categories.

Game and Vermin.

Game shooting comprises of pheasant, partridge and grouse .
This is controlled by specific seasons, but no bag limits.
Unless you have access to private land, this is mainly a commercially bought activity, either by joining a syndicate, or buying odd days.
Predominately driven birds (not thrown from tree tops).
Informal shoots would be walked up.

Sub game group, meaning ducks and geese.
Controlled by seasons, but no bag limits and with the exception of shooting below the high water mark in some areas, this is also a commercial activity as above.
One species of goose is on the "General Licence" as mentioned below.

Vermin shooting is a no season, no limit activity targeting birds on the General Licence.
This is a list compiled by the Department of Farming and Rural Affairs, recognising bird (and mammal) species that are considered agricultural pests.

Quarry list:

Crow
Dove, Collared
Gull, Lesser Black-backed
Jackdaw
Jay
Magpie
Pigeon, Feral
Rook
Woodpigeon
Goose, Canada
Parakeet, Monk
Parakeet, Ringnecked

There is some commercial presence with this shooting, but it is quite minimal, mostly its free shooting granted by the Landowner to protect their crops from damage.
Naturally, they are cautious as to who they permit on their land, so the more local you are to the shooting, the more chance of getting permission.
Also, once you have one Landowner in the bag, you can use them as a reference to gain more land.

The Yakima sure is beautiful. I've been on that road many times and have fished the Yak. WA is my home state. My aunt and uncle live in Cle Elum and own the Cottage Cafe restaurant.

Danibeth wrote:
Spothogg- Yup that was a picture of the Yakima River. Beautiful place.

Dani

Spothogg-

I haven't eaten at the Cottage Café but Steve has on several occasions. He says the breakfast there is excellent.

We always get off of I-90 at the first Cle Elum exit headed East, gas up (and this year Cle Elum has consistently had the cheapest gas in the State) and then tour the Swauk Valley and then either take Hwy 10 to see the River or 97 to do the obligatory Lauderdale Barn pictures.

I wouldn't be surprised if your aunt and uncle know a friend of ours out there named Fred Slyfield.

It sure is a small world sometimes....

Danibeth

Cranfield-

That's kinda cool, though I'm sure the farmers don't think so, about the parakeets being established there (which I assume if the gov't allows them to be killed with no season or limit).

Punt guns are still legal there aren't they? It's interesting that there are no limits on ducks and geese. Do you just not have many waterfowlers there?

Is it difficult to obtain a hunting license in the UK?

The parakeets are in large colonies, but restricted to a few counties and are a major pest for fruit Farmers, they are all escaped (or released) pets and are prolific breeders.
I have seen a few when travelling the country, but never shot at one.

We have a large population of wildfowl that migrate here in our Winter, plus our resident birds.
The wildfowl season is Sept 1st to Jan 31st inland and extended to Feb 20th below the high water mark.
Wildfowling is still popular, but birds get wise quickly and it can be hard work, especially on the tidal flats.
The best part of the season late November to late January coincides with some of our worst weather conditions and standing out on the Marsh in a gale, with freezing rain dripping down your neck and your lips turning blue can be quite an experience.

Punt guns are still legal, but their bore is now restricted to 1.75 inches max, with most being 1" .
It only attracts a few sportsmen, having to boat to within 50 yards of a large group of waterbound fowl, is no mean feat and a very rare occurrence.
So most of the sport is trying, not succeeding.

You do not need a "hunting licence" in the UK.
All you need is the appropriate gun licence, either shotgun, or firearm (which is a long gun with a rifled barrel).
These are obtained by application to the appropriate County Police Force.
Unless you have a criminal record, you can make the application.

When applying for a firearm certificate, you must specify quarry being shot and proof that you have permission to shoot "appropriate" ground.
The quarry specification is so that they can ensure you have the correct calibre(s) authorised on your certificate, for example you cannot apply for a .22 and specify deer as a quarry species.
"Appropriate" ground means a large area, with safety and security being considerations. The Police will inspect and approve areas.

It may sound restrictive, but in reality it is quite a simple and sensible process and applications usually get "rubber stamped" quickly.

Danibeth wrote: It sure is a small world sometimes....

Danibeth

Yes, sir, it is