Something more on this thread:

Is anyone else bothered by the remake of the land west of the west 90
in the Samish flats into a hunting area? I have pursued snowy owls there for
banding and have been there after sundown, and remember a lot of
wigeons would come in after it was too dark to really see them, but
otherwise it generally looks like a lousy place to hunt waterfowl.
Its a very hard place to hide from your "game". It also, as we all
know, such an important raptor spot-- including the yearly
peregrines-- seems like a risky place for hunters to be plying their
trade. Does anyone know
the history of this becoming hunting land? Is there any chance that
it could be made in to a raptor preserve (hope I'm not just dreaming
with that one).

> Tweets,
>
> Maybe we can make some strides toward carving out a place for birders on
> Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife properties by using
> terminology that is more reflective of the multiple uses for which
> these areas are suitable. The agency changed its name to
> "Wildlife" then "Fish and Wildlife" but many still like to call it the
> "Game Department" (often said with a sneer). I don't know when the
> term "Game Range" was used. It pre-dates my 18 years with the agency.
> I think when I started they were "Wildlife Recreation Areas" (though
> most of the wildlife were not getting in much recreation). Later,
> they became "Habitat Management Areas". Today, they are simply
> "Wildlife Areas".
>
> So, "Skagit Wildlife Area" would be politically correct.
>
> Kelly McAllister
>
>
>
Jerry Broadus
P.O. Box 249
Puyallup, WA. 98371