Farmer plants pheasants

“Chasing pheasants beats the heck out of herding cows,” said Allen Widman, explaining his decision three years ago to transform a portion of his family’s farm into Squaw Canyon Shooters bird hunting preserve.

“I love hunting,” he said. “I’ve been doing it all my life, and the game farm fits well with a farmer’s schedule.”

The fifth-generation farmer puts out pen-raised pheasants and chukars for paying customers from September through March on 480-acres of family farm and ranch land.

Although he said he’s had a few expensive setbacks as he’s learned the art of raising game birds, his huge flight conditioning pen last week was full of chukars as well as pheasants, most of which had long, perfect tails.

The preserve is located just a few miles out of Rosalia along Squaw Creek. This year, the Coeur d’Alene Tribe suggested changing the creek name. Proposals included Awtskin and Jack Pine, but just last month, Spokane and Whitman counties approved renaming the creek after pioneer farmer John Paulson. The formal request is pending with the Washington State Board of Geographic Names.

Although the preserve is blessed with good natural cover, Widman is grooming its hunting potential by planting crops and cover ranging from corn and wheat to shrubs and aspens.

No state hunting license is required while hunting on a game preserve, but Widman asks hunters to wear hunter orange clothing for safety.

“This is a real hunting experience,” he said.