WSR 97-22-095

PROPOSED RULES

DEPARTMENT OF

FISH AND WILDLIFE

(Wildlife)

[Filed November 5, 1997, 8:37 a.m.]

Original Notice.

Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 97-19-027.

Title of Rule: To amend WAC 232-28-242 1997-98, 1998-99, 1999-2000 Elk hunting seasons.

Purpose: To amend WAC 232-28-242 1997-98, 1998-99, 1999-2000 Elk hunting seasons and regulations by deleting private lands wildlife management area hunts from this WAC and putting them in their own new WAC.

Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 77.12.040.

Statute Being Implemented: RCW 77.12.040.

Summary: The private lands wildlife management area hunts are proposed to be deleted from this WAC and put into another WAC with hunts, rules and boundary descriptions for the PLWMAs.

Reasons Supporting Proposal: Simplify the regulations.

Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting and Implementation: Dave Brittell, Assistant Director, Wildlife Management, Olympia, (360) 902-2504; and Enforcement: Ron Swatfigure, Assistant Director, Enforcement, Olympia, (360) 902-2932.

Name of Proponent: Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission, governmental.

Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.

Explanation of Rule, its Purpose, and Anticipated Effects: The proposed rule will put the PLWMA hunts in a separate WAC while all other elk hunts will be addressed in April.

Proposal does not change existing rules. See above.

No small business economic impact statement has been prepared under chapter 19.85 RCW. This rule does not affect small business.

Section 201, chapter 403, Laws of 1995, does not apply to this rule adoption.

Hearing Location: Red Lion Inn, North 1100 Sullivan Road, Spokane, WA 99220, phone (509) 924-9000, on December 12-13, 1997, at 8:00 a.m.

Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Debbie Nelson by November 30, 1997, TDD (360) 902-2207, or (360) 902-2267.

Submit Written Comments to: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Evan Jacoby, 600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA 98501-1091, FAX (360) 902-2940, by November 30, 1997.

Date of Intended Adoption: December 13, 1997.

November 5, 1997

Evan Jacoby

Rules Coordinator

AMENDATORY SECTION [(Amending WSR 97-12-050, filed 6/2/97, effective 7/3/97)]

WAC 232-28-242 1997-98, 1998-99, 1999-2000 Elk hunting seasons and regulations.

elk seasons

Bag Limit: One (1) elk per hunter during the annual (July 1-March 31) hunting season.

Hunting Method: Elk hunters must select one of the hunting methods (modern firearm, archery, muzzleloader).

Tag Required: During the 1997-1998 season: Elk hunters must choose one of the four elk hunting areas (Blue Mountains, Yakima, Colockum or Western Washington) to hunt in and buy the appropriate tag for that area. During the 1998-1999 and 1999-2000 seasons, elk hunters must choose one of the five elk hunting areas (Blue Mountains, Northeastern Washington, Yakima, Colockum, or Western Washington) to hunt in and buy the appropriate tag for that area.

Bull Elk Seasons: Open only to the taking of male elk with visible antlers (bull calves are illegal). Spike bull only or 3-point minimum restrictions apply in most game management units.

Definition: Visible Antler is defined as a horn-like growth projecting above the hairline.

Spike Bull Restriction GMUs: Bull elk taken in these GMUs must have at least one antler that is a spike above the ears (does not branch above ears). An animal with branched antlers on both sides is illegal but an animal with a spike on one side is legal in spike only units.

Spike Only GMUs: 145-154, 160-186, 302, 314-329, 335-371, 407, 410, 426-454, 484, 504, 505, 510, 516, 520, 550, 560, 658, 660, 663, 666, 667, 672, 673, and 684.

Branched Antler Restriction GMUs: Bull elk taken in these GMUs must meet minimum antler point requirements. Minimum antler point requirements are antler points on one side only. Antler points may include eye guards but antler points on the lower half of either main beam must be at least four (4) inches long, measured from tip to nearest edge of beam. All other antler points must be at least one inch long. Antler restrictions apply to all hunters during any open season.

3 Point GMUs: 460, 466, 478, 490, 506, 513, 530, 558, 572, 601, 603, 607, 612, 615, 624, 627, 633, 638, 642, 648, 651, 681; and GMUs 157, 472, 485, 524, 556, 602 and 621 by permit only.

Special Permits: Only hunters with elk tags identified in the Special Elk Permits tables may apply for special bull or antlerless permits. Please see permit table for tag eligibility. Hunters drawn for a special permit may hunt only with a weapon in compliance with their tag and during the dates listed for the hunt.

Elk Tag Areas

Blue Mountains: 100 series GMUs, GMUs 127 and 130 are permit only for modern firearm hunters; and GMU 157 limited by permit to all hunters.

BA - Blue Mountains Archery Tag

BG - Blue Mountains Modern General Bull Tag

BP - Blue Mountains Modern Permit Applicant Tag

BM - Blue Mountains Muzzleloader Tag

For 1998 and beyond, GMUs 101-142 will be designated Northeastern Elk Tag Area.

NA - Northeastern Archery Tag

NG - Northeastern Modern General Bull Tag

NP - Northeastern Modern Permit Applicant Tag

NM - Northeastern Muzzleloader Tag

Colockum: Chelan County portion of GMU 302, and GMUs 300, 301, 304, 306, 308, 314, 316, 328, 329, 330 (permit only in GMU 330), and the portion of GMU 334 north of I-90 (modern firearm restrictions in GMU 334).

CA - Colockum Archery Tag

CG - Colockum Modern General Bull Tag

CP - Colockum Modern Permit Applicant Tag

CM - Colockum Muzzleloader Tag

Yakima: Kittitas County portion of GMU 302, and the portion of GMU 334 south of I-90 (Modern Firearm restrictions in GMU 334), and GMUs 335, 336, 340, 342, 346, 352, 356, 360, 364, 368, 371, and 372.

YA - Yakima Archery Tag

YG - Yakima Modern General Bull Tag

YP - Yakima Modern Permit Applicant Tag

YM - Yakima Muzzleloader Tag

Western Washington: All 400, 500, and 600 GMUs except closed in GMU 418, 522, 636 and modern firearm restrictions in portion of GMU 660. GMUs 418 (Nooksack) and 636 (Skokomish) are closed to all elk hunting as Conservation Closures. Elk Area 064 in GMU 638 (Quinault) is open to AHE hunters only. The Cathlamet Big Game Closure in GMU 506 (Willapa Hills) is open to archery AHE permit hunters only. Permit only in GMUs 472, 485, 524, 554, 556, 602, 621 and PLWMA 600 (Pysht).

WA - Western Washington Archery Tag

WG - Western Washington Modern General Bull Tag

WP - Western Washington Modern Permit Applicant Tag

WM - Western Washington Muzzleloader Tag

Modern Firearm Elk Information

Modern firearm elk hunters have early and late hunts in all elk areas. Those who buy the General tag have the first opportunity to hunt bulls. Only those who buy the Permit tag are able to apply for special elk permits.

Tag Required: Elk hunter must have a current, valid, unaltered, unnotched modern firearm elk tag as listed below on his/her person.

Hunting Method: May use rifle, bow and arrow, or muzzleloader, but only during modern firearm seasons.

[Open Style:Columns Off]

Modern Firearm Elk Seasons

GMUs Elk Tag 1997 Dates 1998 Dates 1999 Dates Legal Elk

97 98 99

101-142 BG NG NG Oct. 25-Nov. 2 Oct. 31-Nov. 8 Oct. 30-Nov. 7 Any Bull

BP NP NP Oct. 27-Nov. 2 Nov. 2-8 Nov. 1-7 Any Bull

145-154, 162-186 BG BG BG Oct. 25-Nov. 2 Oct. 31-Nov.8 Oct. 30-Nov. 7 Spike Bull Only

BP BP BP Oct. 27-Nov. 2 Nov. 2-8 Nov. 1-7 Spike Bull Only

300, 301, 304, CG CG CG Oct. 25-Nov. 2 Oct. 31-Nov. 8 Oct. 30-Nov. 7 Any Bull

306, 308 CP CP CP Oct. 27-Nov. 2 Nov. 2-8 Nov. 1-7 Any Bull

314-329 and Chelan CG CG CG Oct. 25-Nov. 2 Oct. 31-Nov. 8 Oct. 30-Nov. 7 Spike Bull Only

County portion of CP CP CP Oct. 27-Nov. 2 Nov. 2-8 Nov. 1-7 Spike Bull Only

GMU 302

335-371 and Kittitas YG YG YG Oct. 25-Nov. 2 Oct. 31-Nov. 8 Oct. 30-Nov. 7 Spike Bull Only

County portion of YP YP YP Oct. 27-Nov. 2 Nov. 2-8 Nov. 1-7 Spike Bull Only

GMU 302

372 YG YG YG Oct. 25-Nov. 2 Oct. 31-Nov. 8 Oct. 30-Nov. 7 Any Bull

YP YP YP Oct. 27-Nov. 2 Nov. 2-8 Nov. 1-7 Any Bull

407, 410, 426-454, WG WG WG Nov. 8-16 Nov. 7-15 Nov. 6-14 Spike Bull Only

484 WP WP WP Nov. 10-16 Nov. 9-15 Nov. 8-14 Spike Bull Only

460, 466, 478, 490 WG WG WG Nov. 8-16 Nov. 7-15 Nov. 6-14 3-Pt. Min.

WP WP WP Nov. 10-16 Nov. 9-15 Nov. 8-14 3-Pt. Min.

504, 505, 510, 516, WG WG WG Nov. 8-16 Nov. 7-15 Nov. 6-14 Spike Bull Only

520, 550, 560 WP WP WP Nov. 10-16 Nov. 9-15 Nov. 8-14 Spike Bull Only

501, 564, 568, 574, WG WG WG Nov. 8-16 Nov. 7-15 Nov. 6-14 Either Sex

578, 582, 588 WP WP WP Nov. 10-16 Nov. 9-15 Nov. 8-14 Either Sex

506, 513, 530, 558, WG WG WG Nov. 8-16 Nov. 7-15 Nov. 6-14 3-Pt. Min.

572 WP WP WP Nov. 10-16 Nov. 9-15 Nov. 8-14 3-Pt. Min.

658, 660, 663, 666, WG WG WG Nov. 8-16 Nov. 7-15 Nov. 6-14 Spike Bull Only

667, 672, 673, 684 WP WP WP Nov. 10-16 Nov. 9-15 Nov. 8-14 Spike Bull Only

601, 603, 607, 612, WG WG WG Nov. 8-16 Nov. 7-15 Nov. 6-14 3-Pt. Min. except

615, 618, 624, 627, AHE hunters only

633, 638, 642, 648, in Elk Area 064 in

651, 681 GMU 638

WP WP WP Nov. 10-16 Nov. 9-15 Nov. 8-14 3-Pt. Min. except

AHE hunters only

in Elk Area 064 in

GMU 638

Archery Elk Seasons

Tag Required: Elk hunter must have a current, valid, unaltered, unnotched archery elk tag as listed below on his/her person.

Hunting Method: Bow and arrow only.

Special Notes: Archery tag holders can hunt only during archery seasons. Archery elk hunters may apply for special bull permits. Please see permit table for tag eligibility for all elk permits.

Early Archery Elk Seasons

Tag Required: Elk hunter must have a current, valid, unaltered, unnotched archery elk tag as listed below on his/her person for the area hunted: Blue Mountains (BA), Northeastern (NA), Colockum (CA), Yakima (YA), or Western Washington (WA).

GMUs Elk Tag 1997 Dates 1998 Dates 1999 Dates Legal Elk

97 98 99

101-142 BA NA NA Sept. 1-14 Sept. 1-14 Sept. 1-14 Either sex

145-154, BA BA BA Sept. 1-14 Sept. 1-14 Sept. 1-14 Spike bull only

162-169,

175, 178, 181, 186

300, 306, 308, CA CA CA Sept. 1-14 Sept. 1-14 Sept. 1-14 Either sex

334 (North

of I-90)

328, 329 CA CA CA Sept. 1-14 Sept. 1-14 Sept. 1-14 Spike bull or

antlerless

334 (South of

I-90), 372 YA YA YA Sept. 1-14 Sept. 1-14 Sept. 1-14 Either sex

335, 336, 340, YA YA YA Sept. 1-14 Sept. 1-14 Sept. 1-14 Spike bull or

352, 356, 364, antlerless

371

407, 410, 426, WA WA WA Sept. 1-14 Sept. 1-14 Sept. 1-14 Spike bull or

448, 450, 504, antlerless

505, 510, 516,

520, 550, 554,

560, 658, 660,

663, 667, 672,

673, 684

437, 454, 484, 501, WA WA WA Sept. 1-14 Sept. 1-14 Sept. 1-14 Either sex

564, 568, 574, 578,

582, 588

460, 466, 478, WA WA WA Sept. 1-14 Sept. 1-14 Sept. 1-14 3 pt. min. or

490, 506, 513, antlerless except

530, 558, 572, permit only in

681 Cathlamet Firearm

Restriction Area

in GMU 506

601, 603, 612, 615, WA WA WA Sept. 1-14 Sept. 1-14 Sept. 1-14 3 pt. min. and permit

618, 624, 627, 633, only on Pysht PLWMA

638, 642, 648, 651 600 in GMU 603; AHE

hunters only in Elk

Area 064 in GMU 638

Bow Area 802 WA Sept. 2-14 Sept. 1-14 Sept. 1-14 Spike bull

or antlerless

Late Archery Elk Seasons

Tag Required: Elk hunter must have a current, valid, unaltered, unnotched archery as listed below elk tag on his/her person for the area hunted.

GMUs Elk Tag 1997 Dates 1998 Dates 1999 Dates Legal Elk

97 98 99

101, 105, 117, 121, BA NA NA Nov. 26-Dec. 15 Nov. 25-Dec. 15 Nov. 24-Dec. 15 Either sex

124, 127

Private lands within BA BA BA Nov. 26-Dec. 15 Nov. 25-Dec. 15 Nov. 24-Dec. 15 Spike bull or

GMU 162 east of the antlerless

North Touchet Road.

GMU 178 on private

lands only

328 CA CA CA Nov. 26-Dec. 8 Nov. 25-Dec. 8 Nov. 24-Dec. 8 Spike bull or

antlerless

336, 346, 352 YA YA YA Nov. 26-Dec. 8 Nov. 25-Dec. 8 Nov. 24-Dec. 8 Spike bull or

antlerless

407, 437, 454, 484, WA WA WA Nov. 26-Dec. 15 Nov. 25-Dec. 15 Nov. 24-Dec. 15 Spike bull or

505, 520, 672 antlerless

564, 588 WA WA WA Nov. 26-Dec. 15 Nov. 25-Dec. 15 Nov. 24-Dec. 15 Either sex

603, 612, 615, WA WA WA Nov. 26-Dec. 15 Nov. 25-Dec. 15 Nov. 24-Dec. 15 3 pt. min. except

638, 648 closed on Pysht

PLWMA 600; AHE

hunters only in

Elk Area 064 in

GMU 638

506, 530, 681* WA WA WA Nov. 26-Dec. 15 Nov. 25-Dec. 15 Nov. 24-Dec. 15 3 pt. min. or

antlerless and

permit only in

Cathlamet Firearm

Restriction Area

in Wahkiakum

County

Bow Areas

802 WA WA WA Nov. 26-Dec. 15 Nov. 25-Dec. 15 Nov. 24-Dec. 15 Spike bull or

antlerless

806, 807 YA YA YA Nov. 26-Dec. 8 Nov. 25-Dec. 8 Nov. 24-Dec. 8 Spike bull or

antlerless

841 WA WA WA Nov. 26-Dec. 15 Nov. 25-Dec. 15 Nov. 24-Dec. 15 Spike bull or

antlerless

* Except closed between U.S. Highway 101 and the Columbia River from Astoria-Megler toll bridge to the Wallacut River.

Muzzleloader Elk Seasons

Tag Required: Elk hunter must have a current, valid, unaltered, unnotched muzzleloader elk tag as listed below on his/her person.

Hunting Method: Muzzleloader only.

Special Notes: Muzzleloader tag holders can only hunt during the muzzleloader seasons and must hunt with muzzleloader equipment. Only hunters with tags identified in the Special Elk Permits tables may apply for special elk permits.

Early Muzzleloader Elk Seasons

Tag Required: Elk hunter must have a current, valid, unaltered, unnotched muzzleloader elk tag as designated below on his/her person.

GMUs Elk Tag 1997 Dates 1998 Dates 1999 Dates Legal Elk

97 98 99

109 BM NM NM Oct. 4-10 Oct. 10-16 Oct. 9-15 Any Bull

172 BM BM BM Oct. 4-10 Oct. 10-16 Oct. 9-15 Spike bull only

178, 181 BM BM BM Oct. 4-10 Oct. 10-16 Oct. 9-15 Spike bull

or antlerless

314*, 316 CM, CM CM Oct. 4-10 Oct. 10-16 Oct. 9-15 Spike bull only

304 CM CM CM Oct. 4-10 Oct. 10-16 Oct. 9-15 Any bull

342, 356, 368 YM YM YM Oct. 4-10 Oct. 10-16 Oct. 9-15 Spike bull only

501, 564 WM WM WM Oct. 4-10 Oct. 10-16 Oct. 9-15 Either sex

660 WM WM WM Oct. 4-10 Oct. 10-16 Oct. 9-15 Spike Bull only

460, 478, 513, WM WM WM Oct. 4-10 Oct. 10-16 Oct. 9-15 3 pt. min.

530, 603, 607

437, 454, 484, WM WM WM Oct. 4-10 Oct. 10-16 Oct. 9-15 Spike bull or

684 antlerless

Muzzleloader

Area 910 YM YM YM Sept. 1-14 Sept. 1-14 Sept. 1-14 Spike bull or

antlerless

* The portion of GMU 314 bordered by the Colockum Pass Road (Road 10), Naneum Ridge Road (Road 9), and Ingersol Road (Road 1) is closed. See Naneum Green Dot Map.

Late Muzzleloader Elk Seasons

Tag Required: Elk hunter must have a current, valid, unaltered, unnotched muzzleloader elk tag as designated below on his/her person.

GMUs Elk Tag 1997 Dates 1998 Dates 1999 Dates Legal Elk

97 98 99

130, 133, 136, BM NM NM Nov. 26-Dec. 15 Nov. 25-Dec. 15 Nov. 24-Dec. 15 Either sex

139

346 YM YM YM Nov. 26-Dec. 8 Nov. 25-Dec. 8 Nov. 24-Dec. 8 Spike bull only

454, 484, 505 WM WM WM Nov. 26-Dec. 15 Nov. 25-Dec. 15 Nov. 24-Dec. 15 Spike bull or

antlerless

437, 504, 550 WM WM WM Nov. 26-Dec. 15 Nov. 25-Dec. 15 Nov. 24-Dec. 15 Spike bull only

501, 564, 568, WM WM WM Nov. 26-Dec. 15 Nov. 25-Dec. 15 Nov. 24-Dec. 15 Either sex

578

601 WM WM WM Nov. 26-Dec. 15 Nov. 25-Dec. 15 Nov. 24-Dec. 15 3 pt. bull min.

684 WM WM WM Nov. 26-Dec. 15 Nov. 25-Dec. 15 Nov. 24-Dec. 15 Spike bull or

antlerless

Muzzleloader

Areas

910 YM YM YM Nov. 26-Dec. 8 Nov. 25-Dec. 8 Nov. 24-Dec. 8 Antlerless only

944 YM YM YM Nov. 26-Dec. 8 Nov. 25-Dec. 8 Nov. 24-Dec. 8 Spike bull or

antlerless

Special Elk Hunts Open to Specified Tag Holders

Tag Required: Proper elk tags are listed with each GMU below.

Hunting Method: Hunters must use method listed on their tag, except in Firearm Restriction Areas, where some types of weapons are banned from use. See elk tag required, dates, and legal elk in table below.

Damage Elk Hunts

GMUs Elk Tag 1997 Dates 1998 Dates 1999 Dates Legal Elk

97 98 99

101, 105, 121,

124 west of BG, BP NG, NP NG, NP Oct. 25-Nov. 2 Oct. 31-Nov. 8 Oct. 30-Nov. 7 Either sex

SR 395, 133, 136,

139

127*, 130* BA, BG, NA, NG, NA, NG, Oct. 20-Nov. 20 Oct. 20-Nov. 20 Oct. 20-Nov. 20 Either sex

BP, BM NP, NM NP, NM

*372 Any Elk Any Elk Any Elk Nov. 1-15 Nov. 1-15 Nov. 1-15 Either sex

Tag Tag Tag

564** WA, WM, WA, WM, WA, WM, Nov. 8-16 Nov. 7-15 Nov. 6-14 Either sex

WG, WP WG, WP WG, WP

501, 568, 574, WG, WP WG, WP WG, WP Nov. 8-16 Nov. 7-15 Nov. 6-14 Either sex

578, 588

300, 301, 304, CG, CP, CG, CP, CG, CP, Dec. 8-21 Dec. 7-20 Dec. 6-19 Either sex

306, 308, CM CM CM

Elk Area 001 Any Elk Any Elk Any Elk Nov. 1-15 Nov. 1-15 Nov. 1-15 Either sex

Tag Tag Tag

* Advanced Hunter Education hunters only.

** Archery or Muzzleloader Equipment Only. Modern Firearm elk tag holders may hunt but must use primitive weapons.

((Private Lands Wildlife Management Opportunities

Champion (PLWMA 401) Kapowsin Tree Farm

Hunting Method Elk Tag 1997 Dates 1998 Dates 1999 Dates Special Restrictions

Archery WA Sept. 1-12 Sept. 1-11 Sept. 1-10 Antlerless only

PLWMA 401 North

PLWMA 401 Central

PLWMA 401 South

Muzzleloader WM Nov. 24-Dec. 4 closed closed Spike only

PLWMA 401 North

Modern Firearm WG, WP Nov. 1-7 closed closed Spike only

PLWMA 401 North))

[Open Style:Columns On]

Report Cards

Each successful hunter must fill out and return a Game Harvest Report Card to the Department of Fish and Wildlife within 10 days after taking an elk.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 77.12.040, 77.12.020, 77.12.030 and 77.32.220. 97-12-050, 232-28-242, filed 6/2/97, effective 7/3/97. Statutory Authority: RCW 77.12.040. 97-06-053 (Order 97-31), 232-28-242, filed 2/27/97, effective 3/30/97. Statutory Authority: RCW 77.12.010 and 77.12.040. 96-04-027, 232-28-242, filed 2/1/96, effective 3/3/96. Statutory Authority: RCW 77.12.040. 95-03-033 (Order 94-144), 232-28-242, filed 1/10/95, effective 2/10/95; 94-18-056 (Order 94-55), 232-28-242, filed 8/31/94, effective 10/1/94; 94-11-048 (Order 656), 232-28-242, filed 5/10/94, effective 6/10/9

NOTES:

Reviser's note: The brackets and enclosed material in the text of the above section occurred in the copy filed by the agency.

Reviser's note: The bracketed material preceding the section above was supplied by the code reviser's office.