This is a bit old, but stuck to the eastern third of the state. Gets more rain and has more row crops. Just try to avoid areas that are heavily planted in beans if you're going after harvest, because there won't be much waste feed leftover.
DIY tip... Stay in the higher pheasant density areas, check satellite imagery for lots of dirt roads because right of ways are huntable, and didn't be afraid to go late season looking for areas that birds tend to congregate in the snow.
I think it was a good policy... Public lands are for everyone, and what I know about how that policy was implemented, was to stop guides from making a profit on public land. I didn't have a problem with guides l, but they should operate on private land not public.
Depends on what you want to hunt... Pheasant and mule deer are out west, quail in the eastern third, whitetail and turkey all over. DM if you've got questions.
If you're targeting quail, try the eastern the of the state... Better habitat and numbers there. Check out the upland bird forecast from KDWP if you haven't yet. Shoot me a to DM if any questions.