Winchester Wasteway, Moses Lake, Washington

Backroads Information-Winchester Wasteway, Moses Lake, Washington


Saturday was the opening of duck season.  Unfortunately, I forgot to set my alarm and therefore ended up at the blind at 9:00 am.  Well, there were no ducks flying and Bugaboo got a little bored. 

Now Bugaboo does not like sharing quail, chukar, or pheasants with me.  I have to show him the good citizen collar control to get him to release the birds to me.  However, hunting dogs hate the smell of ducks and are more than willing to share ducks with you.  So I was hoping to work on the concept of sharing birds with Bugaboo.  Fortunately, I had my chair blind with me and it was a comfortable sit.

If you want to do wildlife photography look into these chair blinds.  It can be a camera pointing out of that blind!!  For fishing from shore in fowl weather it will provide a water and wind proof comfortable hide out.  Well after an hour of so we folded the blind and started out looking for places to camp.

The Washington Fish and Wildlife access points allow camping in most cases.  You can find the complete list here: Access Sites.  Under each site it tells you if camping is allowed.  These sites are posted with public fishing and public hunting signs.

The signs lead you to simple camping area.  Generally, a flat parking area with a SST Toilet.  No water, no tables, and other than the $14 yearly permit (free with fishing or hunting license) no fees.  This is what they look like.  And for Linda H. notice the lack of overhanging branches.

This guy got a pretty nice campsite on the opening of duck season.  Usually there is nobody camped in this lot and it is just a couple miles south of I-90.   I previously posted the information on the permit, but here it is again.  Parking Permit.

But this area is more than just duck hunting.  In the spring it is a great bird watching and fishing.  The Winchester Wasteway is a great canoe trip in the spring. Canoe Trip Video.

Of course, camping there in the fall you get to share your campground with those high class duck hunters.
 

The parking areas are generally empty most of the year except for a couple of weeks in October during duck season.  Hey, this is one campsite where no one will give you grief about your gun OR dog!  Well, just make sure your dog looks like a hunting dog.

I did see one mud-covered Crocker Spaniel drag itself back to the parking area.  It looked like a drowned muskrat on its last legs.  The owner, however, assured that after the hunt it will get a warm bath and a bow it its hair.  Don't think that would work with Bugaboo.

Pheasant opener this Saturday.  So many things to do, so little time.