PROPOSED RULES
FISH AND WILDLIFE
Original Notice.
Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 03-02-102.
Purpose: Amend WAC 232-28-272 2003-2004, 2004-2005 and 2005-2006 Black bear and cougar hunting seasons and regulations and 232-28-248 Special closures and firearm restriction areas.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 77.12.047.
Statute Being Implemented: RCW 77.12.047.
Summary: WAC 232-28-272, the recommended changes establish status quo bear seasons for 2003-2005, except all fall bear seasons close on November 15 annually. In addition, the recommendation includes status quo spring bear seasons and status quo cougar seasons for 2003-2004, 2004-2005, and 2005-2006.
WAC 232-28-248, the recommended change closes GMUs 524 and 556 to hunting black bear and cougar during permit only modern firearm elk seasons.
Reasons Supporting Proposal: WAC 232-28-272, biological data support status quo seasons for bear and cougar.
WAC 232-28-248, interference from cougar and bear hunters impact the quality of the hunting experience for hunters selected to elk hunt in these units.
Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting and Implementation: Dave Brittell, Assistant Director, Natural Resources Building, Olympia, (360) 902-2504; and Enforcement: Bruce Bjork, Assistant Director, Natural Resources Building, 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: WAC 232-28-272, the rule establishes hunting seasons for black bear and cougar. The purpose of the recommended change is to maximize recreational hunting opportunities for bear and cougar while maintaining sustainable populations. The anticipated effect of the recommendation is stable bear populations statewide declining cougar populations statewide.
WAC 232-28-248, the rule closes specific GMUs to black bear and cougar hunting during permit only modern firearm elk seasons. This change will reduce hunter density resulting in a better quality hunt.
Proposal Changes the Following Existing Rules: WAC 232-28-272, provides recreational hunting opportunity for black bear and cougar from 2003-2006, consistent with population objectives for bear and cougar.
WAC 232-28-248, closes GMUs 524 and 556 to hunting black bear and cougar during permit only modern firearm elk seasons.
No small business economic impact statement has been prepared under chapter 19.85 RCW. These rules regulate recreational hunters and do not directly regulate small business.
RCW 34.05.328 does not apply to this rule adoption. Not hydraulics rules.
Hearing Location: Moses Lake Convention Center, 1475 Nelson Road, Moses Lake, WA 98837, on April 11-12, 2003, at 8:00 a.m.
Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Susan Yeager by April 7, 2003, TDD (360) 902-2207 or (360) 902-2267.
Submit Written Comments to: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Attn: Dave Brittell, 600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA 98501-1091, fax (360) 902-2162, by March 25, 2003.
Date of Intended Adoption: April 11, 2003.
March 5, 2003
Evan Jacoby
Rules Coordinator
Fall Black Bear Seasons:
2003 Black bear seasons
| (( |
||
PLWMAs |
||
PLWMAs |
||
PLWMAs |
||
| Black bear management unit | Season | Hunt area |
| Coastal | Aug. 1 - Nov. 15 | GMUs 501, 504, 506, 530, 601, 602, 603, 607-621, 636-651, 658-663, 672-684 |
| Puget Sound | Aug. 1 - Nov. 15 | GMUs 407, 410, 454, 624, 627, 633, 652, 666, 667 |
| North Cascades | Aug. 1 - Nov. 15 | GMUs 418-450, 460 |
| South Cascades | Aug. 1 - Nov. 15 | GMUs 466, 485, 505, 510-520, 524, 550-574, 653, 654 |
| Okanogan | Aug. 1 - Nov. 15 | GMUs 203, 209-243 |
| East Cascades | Aug. 1 - Nov. 15 | GMUs 244-247, 249-251, 328, 329-371, 382, 578, 588 |
| Northeastern | Sept. 2 - Nov. 15 | GMUs 101-130, 204 |
| Blue Mountains | Sept. 2 - Nov. 15 | GMUs 145-154, 162-186 |
| Columbia Basin | Aug. 1 - Nov. 15 | GMUs 133, 136, 139, 142, 248, 254, 260-290, 371-381 |
| West Side PLWMAs | July 15 - Nov. 15 | PLWMAs 401, 600 |
| Long Island | Sept. 2 - Nov. 15 | GMU 699 |
2004 Black bear seasons
| Black bear management unit | Season | Hunt area |
| Coastal | Aug. 1 - Nov. 15 | GMUs 501, 504, 506, 530, 601, 602, 603, 607-621, 636-651, 658-663, 672-684 |
| Puget Sound | Aug. 1 - Nov. 15 | GMUs 407, 410, 454, 624, 627, 633, 652, 666, 667 |
| North Cascades | Aug. 1 - Nov. 15 | GMUs 418-450, 460 |
| South Cascades | Aug. 1 - Nov. 15 | GMUs 466, 485, 505, 510-520, 524, 550-574, 653, 654 |
| Okanogan | Aug. 1 - Nov. 15 | GMUs 203, 209-243 |
| East Cascades | Aug. 1 - Nov. 15 | GMUs 244-247, 249-251, 328, 329-371, 382, 578, 588 |
| Northeastern | Sept. 7 - Nov. 15 | GMUs 101-130, 204 |
| Blue Mountains | Sept. 7 - Nov. 15 | GMUs 145-154, 162-186 |
| Columbia Basin | Aug. 1 - Nov. 15 | GMUs 133, 136, 139, 142, 248, 254, 260-290, 371-381 |
| West Side PLWMAs | July 15 - Nov. 15 | PLWMAs 401, 600 |
| Long Island | Sept. 7 - Nov. 15 | GMU 699 |
2005 Black bear seasons
| Black bear management unit | Season | Hunt area |
| Coastal | Aug. 1 - Nov. 15 | GMUs 501, 504, 506, 530, 601, 602, 603, 607-621, 636-651, 658-663, 672-684 |
| Puget Sound | Aug. 1 - Nov. 15 | GMUs 407, 410, 454, 624, 627, 633, 652, 666, 667 |
| North Cascades | Aug. 1 - Nov. 15 | GMUs 418-450, 460 |
| South Cascades | Aug. 1 - Nov. 15 | GMUs 466, 485, 505, 510-520, 524, 550-574, 653, 654 |
| Okanogan | Aug. 1 - Nov. 15 | GMUs 203, 209-243 |
| East Cascades | Aug. 1 - Nov. 15 | GMUs 244-247, 249-251, 328, 329-371, 382, 578, 588 |
| Northeastern | Sept. 6 - Nov. 15 | GMUs 101-130, 204 |
| Blue Mountains | Sept. 6 - Nov. 15 | GMUs 145-154, 162-186 |
| Columbia Basin | Aug. 1 - Nov. 15 | GMUs 133, 136, 139, 142, 248, 254, 260-290, 371-381 |
| West Side PLWMAs | July 15 - Nov. 15 | PLWMAs 401, 600 |
| Long Island | Sept. 6 - Nov. 15 | GMU 699 |
Bag Limit: Two (2) black bear per annual hunting season only
one of which may be taken in Eastern Washington.
((Hunting Method: Hunters may use any lawful big game modern
firearm, archery, or muzzleloader equipment for hunting black
bear. The use of hounds and bait to hunt black bear is
prohibited statewide.
Submitting Bear Teeth: Successful bear hunters must submit
the black bear premolar tooth located behind the canine tooth
of the upper jaw.))
SPRING PERMIT BLACK BEAR SEASONS:
Permit quotas for each license year
| Hunt Name | Permit Hunt Boundary | Permit Level | ||
| Blue Creek | GMU 154 | 15 | ||
| Dayton | GMU 162 | 15 | ||
| Tucannon | GMU 166 | 10 | ||
| Wenaha | GMU 169 | 30 | ||
| Mt. View | GMU 172 | 15 | ||
| Lick Creek | GMU 175 | 15 | ||
| Grande Ronde | GMU 186 | 5 | ||
Bag Limit: One (1) black bear per black bear special permit season.
Permit Season: April 15 - May 31. Permits are valid for the license year they are issued.
REQUIREMENTS FOR SPRING AND FALL BLACK BEAR SEASONS
License Required: A valid big game hunting license, which includes black bear as a species option, is required to hunt black bear. One black bear transport tag is included with a big game hunting license that has black bear as a species option. A second black bear transport tag must be purchased to take a second bear.
Hunting Method: Hunters may use any lawful big game modern firearm, archery, or muzzleloader equipment for hunting black bear. The use of hounds and bait to hunt black bear is prohibited statewide.
Submitting Bear Teeth: Successful bear hunters must submit the black bear premolar tooth located behind the canine tooth of the upper jaw.
COUGAR ((Season)) SEASONS:
((General Statewide Season:
Aug. 1, 2000 - Mar. 15, 2001;
Aug. 1, 2001 - Mar. 15, 2002; and
Aug. 1, 2002 - Mar. 15, 2003.))
Seasons for each license year, 2003-2005
| Cougar management unit | Season | Hunt area |
| Coastal | Aug. 1 – Mar. 15 | 501, 504, 506, 530, 601-621, 636-651, 658-663, 672-684, 699 |
| Puget Sound | Aug. 1 – Mar. 15 | 407, 410, 454, 624-633, 652, 666 |
| North Cascades | Aug. 1 – Mar. 15 | 418, 426, 437, 448, 450, 460, 466, 485 |
| South Cascades | Aug. 1 – Mar. 15 | 505, 510-520, 524, 550-574, 653, 654, 667 |
| East Cascades North | Aug. 1 – Mar. 15 | 203, 209-247, 249-251, 328, 329, 334-340 |
| East Cascades South | Aug. 1 – Mar. 15 | 342-368, 382, 578, 588 |
| Northeastern | Aug. 1 – Mar. 15 | 101-130, 204 |
| Blue Mountains | Aug. 1 – Mar. 15 | 145-186 |
| Columbia Basin | Aug. 1 – Mar. 15 | 133-142, 248, 254-290, 330, 371, 372, 381 |
REQUIREMENTS FOR COUGAR SEASONS
License Required: A valid big game hunting license which includes cougar as a species option is required to hunt cougar.
Bag Limit: Two (2) cougar per license year excluding public
safety cougar removals. It is unlawful to kill or possess
spotted cougar kittens or adult cougars accompanied by spotted
kittens.
Tag Information: One cougar transport tag is included with a
big game license that has cougar as a species option. A
second cougar transport tag must be purchased to take a second
cougar.
Hunting Method: Hunters may use any lawful big game modern
firearm, archery, or muzzleloader equipment for hunting
cougar. The use of hounds to hunt cougar is prohibited except
during a public safety cougar removal.
Cougar Pelt Sealing: Any person who takes a cougar must
notify the department within 72 hours of kill (excluding legal
state holidays) and provide the hunter's name, date and
location of kill, and sex of animal. The raw pelt of a cougar
must be sealed by an authorized department employee within
five days of the notification of kill. Any person who takes a
cougar must present the cougar skull, in such a manner that
teeth and biological samples can be extracted, to an
authorized department employee at the time of sealing.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 77.12.047. 01-20-011 (Order 01-198), § 232-28-272, filed 9/20/01, effective 10/21/01. Statutory Authority: RCW 77.12.040, 77.12.020, 77.32.070, 77.32.530. 01-10-048 (Order 01-69), § 232-28-272, filed 4/26/01, effective 5/27/01. Statutory Authority: RCW 77.12.047. 00-21-038 (Order 00-215), § 232-28-272, filed 10/12/00, effective 11/12/00. Statutory Authority: RCW 77.12.040, 77.12.010, 77.12.020, 77.12.770, 77.12.780. 00-11-137 (Order 00-50), § 232-28-272, filed 5/23/00, effective 6/23/00. Statutory Authority: RCW 77.12.040. 99-01-138 (Order 98-249), § 232-28-272, filed 12/22/98, effective 1/22/99; 98-10-008 (Order 98-57), § 232-28-272, filed 4/22/98, effective 5/23/98.]
RESTRICTED AND PROHIBITED HUNTING AREAS.
These areas are closed by Fish and Wildlife Commission action.
Other areas may be closed to hunting by local, state or
federal regulations.
IT IS ILLEGAL TO HUNT EXCEPT WHERE PROVIDED IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS:
| 1. | Little Pend Oreille National Wildlife Refuge: The
southern part of the Little Pend Oreille National
Wildlife Refuge in Stevens County is closed to hunting
and discharge of firearms except during the periods of
April 15-May 15 and October 1-December 31. This closure
is south of a boundary beginning at the west project
boundary in Section 3, Township 34 N, R 40 EWM, then
easterly along Road 1.0 (Bear Creek Road) to the
intersection with Road 2.0 (Blacktail Mountain Road) in
Section 2, then easterly along Road 2.0 to the easterly
boundary in Section 8, Township 34 N, R 42 EWM. |
| The Little Pend Oreille National Wildlife Refuge north of
the preceding boundary is open to all legally established
hunting seasons from April 15 to May 15 and September
through December. |
|
| 2. | Parker Lake: All lands south of Ruby Creek Road (USFS
Road 2489), north of Tacoma Creek Road (USFS Road 2389)
and west of Bonneville Power Administration power lines
are designated as "CLOSED AREA" to the hunting of wild
animals and wild birds year round. Both the Little Pend
Oreille (1) and Parker Lake (2) closures were established
to provide a protected area for the Air Force Military
Survival Training Program. |
| 3. | Columbia River and all the islands in the river, and the
Benton County shoreline below the high water mark, and
any peninsula originating on the Benton County shoreline,
between Vernita Bridge (Highway 24) downstream to the old
Hanford townsite powerline crossing (wooden towers) in
Section 24, T 13 N, R 27 E, is designated as a "CLOSED
AREA" to the hunting of wild animals and wild birds. |
| 4. | Green River (GMU 485): Except for special permit
hunters, who may also take a black bear and/or cougar
with the appropriate license/tag options, all lands
within GMU 485 are designated as a "CLOSED AREA" to the
hunting of big game by Department of Fish and Wildlife
regulated hunters throughout the year. During the
general westside elk season and general and late deer
seasons, all lands within GMU 485 are also designated as
a "CLOSED AREA" to the hunting of all wild animals
(including wild birds). The City of Tacoma enforces
trespass within GMU 485 on lands owned or controlled by
the City during all times of the year. |
| 5. | McNeil Island: McNeil Island (part of GMU 652) is closed
to the hunting of all wild animals (including wild birds)
year around. |
| 6. | Loo-wit (GMU 522): Closed to hunting and trapping within
GMU 522 (Loo-wit). |
| 7. | The Voice of America Dungeness Recreation Area County Park in Clallam County is closed to all hunting except Wednesdays, weekends, and holidays, from the first weekend in October to the end of January. |
| 1. | Clark, Cowlitz, Pacific, and Wahkiakum counties are
closed to Columbian Whitetail Deer hunting. |
| 2. | Cathlamet: Beginning in the town of Skamokawa; then east
along SR 4 to the Risk Road; then south and east along
the Risk Road to Foster Road; then south along the Foster
Road to the Elochoman River; then upstream along the
Elochoman River to the Elochoman Valley Road (old SR
407); then west along the Elochoman Valley Road to SR 4;
then east along SR 4 to SR 409; then south along SR 409
to the Cathlamet Channel of the Columbia River; then east
along the north shore of the Cathlamet Channel to Cape
Horn; then south in the Columbia River to the state line;
then west along the state line to a point directly south
of the mouth of Skamokawa Creek; then north on Skamokawa
Creek to SR 4 and the point of beginning. This area is
closed to all deer and elk hunting, to protect the
Columbian Whitetail Deer. |
| 3. | Willapa National Wildlife Refuge: Except for Long
Island, Willapa National Wildlife Refuge is closed to all
big game hunting. |
| 4. | Walla Walla Mill Creek Watershed (GMU 157): All lands in
the Mill Creek Watershed are designated as a "CLOSED AREA"
to the hunting of all wild animals (including wild birds)
except for holders of special elk permits during the
established open season. This area is closed to
motorized vehicles. Entry is allowed only by Forest
Service permit for the duration of the hunt. Any entry
into the Mill Creek Watershed at other times is
prohibited. |
| 5. | Westport: Closed to hunting of all big game animals on that part of Westport Peninsula lying north of State Highway 105 from the west end of the Elk River Bridge and the Schafer Island Road to the ocean beach. |
| 6. | GMUs 524 and 556 are closed to black bear and cougar hunting during permit only modern firearm elk seasons. |
The firearm restriction areas listed below have been
established by the Fish and Wildlife Commission. Centerfire
and rimfire rifles are not legal for hunting in these areas.
In firearm restriction areas, hunters may hunt only during the
season allowed by their tag. Archery tag holders may hunt
during archery seasons with archery equipment. Muzzleloaders
may hunt during muzzleloader seasons with muzzleloader
equipment except in the GMU 652 restriction area outlined for
King County. Modern firearm tag holders may hunt during
modern firearm seasons with bows and arrows, muzzleloaders or
revolver-type handguns meeting the equipment restrictions or
legal shotguns firing slugs or buckshot.
| COUNTY | AREA | |
| Clallam | That portion of GMU 624 (Coyle) located within Clallam County. | |
| Clark | GMU 564 (Battleground) | |
| Cowlitz | GMU 554 (Yale) GMU 504 (Stella) That portion of GMU 564 (Battleground) in Cowlitz County. |
|
| Grays Harbor | That portion of GMU 658 (North River) beginning at Bay City; then west along Highway 105 to Twin Harbors State Park; then south along Highway 105 to Grayland Grocery; then east on Cranberry Road to Turkey Road; then east and north on Turkey Road to Bayview Logging Road; then north and east along Bayview Logging Road to Mallard Slough; then east and south along the Bayview Road to Andrews Creek; then north along main channel of Andrews Creek to Grays Harbor; then north and west along the main navigation channel to Bay City and point of beginning. | |
| The Chehalis Valley restriction applies only during elk seasons: | ||
| That portion of GMU 660 (Minot Peak) described as follows: Beginning at Highway 12 and Highway 107 junction near Montesano; east and south on Highway 12 to Oakville; south on the Oakville-Brooklyn Road to a point one mile west of South | ||
| Bank Road; northwest along a line one mile southwest of the South Bank Road to Delzene Road; north along Delzene Road to South Bank Road; northwest along South Bank Road to Wakefield Road; north on Wakefield Road to the Chehalis River; west along the Chehalis River to Highway 107 bridge; north on Highway 107 to Highway 12 to the point of beginning. | ||
| Island | That portion of GMU 410 (Island) located on Camano and Whidbey islands. | |
| Jefferson | Indian and Marrowstone islands. | |
| King | The area west of Highway 203 (Monroe-Fall City, Fall City-Preston Road) to Interstate 90 (I-90), I-90 to Highway 18, Highway 18 to Interstate 5 (I-5), I-5 to the Pierce-King County line; Vashon and Maury islands. | |
| The following portion of GMU 652 (Puyallup): Beginning at the intersection of State Highway 410 and the southeast Mud Mountain Dam Road near the King/Pierce County line north of Buckley; then east along the southeast Mud Mountain Road to 284th Avenue Southeast; then north along 284th Avenue Southeast to State Highway 410; then west along Highway 410 to the point of the beginning. (This restriction includes high power rifles and muzzleloaders.) | ||
| Kitsap | East of State Highway 16 originating at the Tacoma Narrows Bridge to Gorst, and east of Highway 3 to Newbury Hill Road, north of Newbury Hill Road and the Bremerton-Seabeck Highway to Big Beef Creek Bridge; all of Bainbridge Island, and Bangor Military Reservation. | |
| Kittitas | GMU 334 (Ellensburg) Closed to high power rifles during deer and elk seasons. | |
| Mason | GMU 633 (Mason Lake) south of Hammersley Inlet; and all of Harstene Island. | |
| Pacific | GMU 684 (Long Beach) west of Sand Ridge Road. The portion of GMU 658 (North River) south and west of State Highway 105 and Airport Road between Raymond and North River Bridge. GMU 681 between U.S. Highway 101, Chinook Valley Road and the Columbia River from Astoria-Megler bridge to the Wallacut River. | |
| Pierce | GMU 652 (Anderson and Ketron islands) limited to archery, shotgun, and muzzleloader. McNeil Island closed to hunting. | |
| See GMU 652 restriction area outlined for King County. | ||
| GMU 627 (Kitsap) south of Highway 302 on the Longbranch Peninsula is a firearm restriction area. | ||
| Snohomish | West of Highway 9. | |
| Skagit | Guemes Island and March Point north of State Highway 20. | |
| Thurston | GMU 666 (Deschutes) north of U.S. Highway 101 and Interstate 5 between Oyster Bay and the mouth of the Nisqually River. | |
| Whatcom | Area west of I-5 and north of Bellingham city limits including Lummi Island and Point Roberts. | |
[Statutory Authority: RCW 77.12.047, 77.12.655, 77.12.020. 02-11-069 (Order 02-98), § 232-28-248, filed 5/10/02, effective 6/10/02. Statutory Authority: RCW 77.12.040, 77.12.020, 77.32.070, 77.32.530. 01-10-048 (Order 01-69), § 232-28-248, filed 4/26/01, effective 5/27/01. Statutory Authority: RCW 77.12.040, 77.12.010, 77.12.020, 77.12.770, 77.12.780. 00-11-137 (Order 00-50), § 232-28-248, filed 5/23/00, effective 6/23/00. Statutory Authority: RCW 77.12.040. 99-10-102 (Order 99-40), § 232-28-248, filed 5/5/99, effective 6/5/99; 98-10-018 (Order 98-54), § 232-28-248, filed 4/22/98, effective 5/23/98; 97-06-052 (Order 97-32), § 232-28-248, filed 2/27/97, effective 3/30/97. Statutory Authority: RCW 77.12.010 and 77.12.040. 96-04-027, § 232-28-248, filed 2/1/96, effective 3/3/96. Statutory Authority: RCW 77.12.040. 95-11-036, § 232-28-248, filed 5/10/95, effective 6/10/95; 95-03-038 (Order 94-150), § 232-28-248, filed 1/10/95, effective 2/10/95.]