Petition to Save the Western Washington Pheasant Hunting Program and Pheasant Farm

We respectfully urge the preservation of the Western Washington Pheasant Hunting Program and the state-run pheasant farm. This program has provided generations of Washingtonians with access to quality outdoor recreation, conservation education, and sustainable game management. Its loss would be a devastating blow to hunters, families, and local communities.

Why This Program Matters
Public Access to Hunting: The pheasant release program provides equitable hunting opportunities across Western Washington, especially in regions with limited access to wild upland bird populations. Without it, many hunters—particularly youth, seniors, and those without private land access—would be left without a viable option to participate.
Tradition and Community: For decades, this program has introduced new hunters to responsible firearm use, wildlife stewardship, and the values of conservation. It fosters strong intergenerational connections and sustains Washington’s outdoor heritage.
Economic Benefits: Pheasant hunting contributes significantly to local economies. License sales, gear purchases, lodging, and travel expenses support small businesses in rural areas.
Wildlife Conservation Funding: Revenue generated through license fees and federal Pittman-Robertson funds tied to participation directly support habitat restoration, wildlife research, and enforcement. Ending the program would reduce these critical funds.
Education and Recruitment: The pheasant farm is more than a facility—it is a resource for wildlife biology, conservation education, and future hunter recruitment. Its closure would permanently undermine ongoing efforts to sustain hunting traditions in Washington.

Broken Promises to Hunters
Hunters across Washington have seen the cost of hunting licenses increase, yet the pheasant program has been reduced instead of strengthened. With fewer pheasants released each season, hunters are paying more while receiving less. Now, the pheasant farm itself faces imminent threat of closure, a move that would permanently end the program and eliminate one of the few opportunities for upland bird hunting in Western Washington. This undermines trust in the system, erodes participation, and threatens the future of hunting in our state.

Our Request
We call upon decision-makers to:

-Immediately halt any plans to close the pheasant farm and eliminate the pheasant release program.
-Maintain and restore funding to ensure the survival of the program and the farm.
-Restore bird releases to sustainable levels that reflect the license fees hunters already contribute.
-Explore modernization and efficiency improvements, rather than elimination.
-Engage hunters, conservationists, and community members in identifying long-term solutions that ensure both fiscal responsibility and the survival of this vital program.

Conclusion
The Western Washington pheasant hunting program and pheasant farm are not merely recreational services—they are essential links between Washington residents and the natural world. Their imminent closure threatens to erase a cornerstone of our state’s outdoor heritage. By saving them, we safeguard tradition, community, and conservation for current and future generations.

We stand together to preserve this legacy.

You can also submit comments/petition to the WA Wildlife Commission directly: 

 https://wdfw.wa.gov/about/commission/contact

Or the City of Centralia: https://www.cityofcentralia.com/.../Contact.../Contact-Us-55

Here is an article about the threat to the farm: 

https://www.chronline.com/stories/centralia-mayor-councilors-call-for-closure-of-wdfw-operated-game-farm,386103