PROPOSED RULES
FISH AND WILDLIFE
Original Notice.
Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 05-10-104.
Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: Adopting WAC 232-28-429 2005-06 Migratory waterfowl seasons and regulations and repealing WAC 232-28-428 2004-05 Migratory waterfowl seasons and regulations.
Hearing Location(s): Mirabeau Park Hotel, North 1100 Sullivan Road, Spokane Valley, WA 99037, (509) 924-9000, on August 5-6, 2005, at 8:00 a.m.
Date of Intended Adoption: August 5, 2005.
Submit Written Comments to: Attn: Wildlife Program Commission Meeting Public Comments, 600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA 98501-1091, e-mail Wildthing@dfw.wa.gov, fax (360) 902-2612, by Monday, July 18, 2005.
Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Susan Yeager by August 1, 2005, TTY (360) 902-2207 or (360) 902-2267.
Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: Purpose of the proposal is to adopt WAC 232-28-429 2005-06 Migratory waterfowl seasons and regulations. The WAC specifies legal season dates, bag limits, and open areas to hunt waterfowl for the 2005-06 hunting season.
Reasons Supporting Proposal: Waterfowl seasons and regulations are developed based on cooperative management programs among states of the Pacific Flyway and the United States Fish and Wildlife Services, considering population status and other biological parameters. The rule establishes waterfowl seasons and regulations to provide recreational opportunity, control waterfowl damage, and conserve the waterfowl resources of Washington.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 77.12.047.
Statute Being Implemented: RCW 77.12.047.
Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.
Name of Proponent: Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission, governmental.
Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting and Implementation: Dave Brittell, Natural Resources Building, Olympia, (360) 902-2504; and Enforcement: Bruce Bjork, Natural Resources Building, Olympia, (360) 902-2932.
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.
A cost-benefit analysis is not required under RCW 34.05.328. Not hydraulics rules.
June 22, 2005
Evan Jacoby
Rules Coordinator
DUCKS
Statewide
Oct. 15-19, 2005 and Oct. 22, 2005 - Jan. 29, 2006.
Special youth hunting weekend open only to hunters 15 years of
age or under (must be accompanied by an adult at least 18
years old who is not hunting): Sept. 17-18, 2005.
Daily bag limit: 7 ducks, to include not more than 2 hen
mallard, 1 pintail, 4 scaup, 1 canvasback, 2 redhead, 1
harlequin, 4 scoter, and 4 long-tailed duck.
Possession limit: 14 ducks, to include not more than 4 hen
mallard, 2 pintail, 8 scaup, 2 canvasback, 4 redhead, 1
harlequin, 8 scoter, and 8 long-tailed duck.
Season limit: 1 harlequin
WRITTEN AUTHORIZATION REQUIRED TO HUNT SEA DUCKS.
All persons hunting sea ducks (harlequin, scoter, long-tailed duck) in Western Washington are required to obtain a written authorization and harvest report from the Washington department of fish and wildlife. Hunters must fill out an application (available at Washington department of fish and wildlife, Olympia and regional offices). Application forms must be delivered to a department office no later than September 25 or postmarked on or before September 25 in order for applicants to be mailed a 2005-06 authorization before the season starts. Immediately after taking a sea duck into possession, hunters must record in ink the information required on the harvest report. Return of the harvest report is mandatory. By February 15, 2006, hunters must return the harvest report to the Washington department of fish and wildlife, or report harvest information on the department's internet reporting system. Hunters failing to comply with reporting requirements will be ineligible to participate in the 2006-07 sea duck season.
COOT (Mudhen)
Same areas, dates (including youth hunting weekend), and
shooting hours as the general duck season.
Daily bag limit: 25 coots.
Possession limit: 25 coots.
COMMON SNIPE
Same areas, dates (except youth hunting weekend), and shooting
hours as the general duck season.
Daily bag limit: 8 snipe.
Possession limit: 16 snipe.
GEESE (except Brant and Aleutian geese)
Special youth hunting weekend open only to hunters 15 years of
age or under (must be accompanied by an adult at least 18
years old who is not hunting): Sept. 17-18, 2005, statewide
except Western Washington Goose Management Areas 2A and 2B.
Daily bag limit: 4 Canada geese.
Possession limit: 8 Canada geese.
Western Washington Goose Seasons
Goose Management Area 1
Island, Skagit, Snohomish counties.
Oct. 15, 2005 - Jan. 8, 2006 for snow, Ross', or blue geese.
Oct. 15-27, 2005 and Nov. 5, 2005 - Jan. 29, 2006 for other geese (except Brant and Aleutian geese).
Daily bag limit: 4 geese
Possession limit: 8 geese
WRITTEN AUTHORIZATION REQUIRED TO HUNT SNOW GEESE.
All persons hunting snow geese in this season are required to
obtain a written authorization and harvest report from the
Washington department of fish and wildlife. Hunters who held
a 2004-05 authorization and returned the harvest report prior
to the deadline will be mailed a 2005-06 authorization in
early October. Hunters who did not possess a 2004-05
authorization must fill out an application (available at
Washington department of fish and wildlife, Olympia and
regional offices). Application forms must be delivered to a
department office no later than September 25 or postmarked on
or before September 25 in order for applicants to be mailed a
2005-06 authorization before the season starts. No
applications will be accepted after October 31, 2005.
Immediately after taking a snow goose into possession, hunters
must record in ink the information required on the harvest
report. Return of the harvest report is mandatory. By
February 15, 2006, hunters must return the harvest report to
the Washington department of fish and wildlife, or report
harvest information on the department's internet reporting
system. Hunters failing to comply with reporting requirements
will be ineligible to participate in the 2006-07 snow goose
season.
Goose Management Area 2A
Cowlitz and Wahkiakum counties, and that part of Clark County
north of the Washougal River.
Open in all areas except Ridgefield NWR from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00
p.m. Saturdays, Sundays, and Wednesdays only, Nov. 12-27, 2005
and Dec. 7, 2005 – Jan. 29, 2006, except closed Dec. 25, 2005
and Jan. 1, 2006. Ridgefield NWR open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00
p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays only, Nov. 15-26, 2005
and Dec. 8, 2005 - Jan. 21, 2006, except closed Nov. 24, 2005.
Goose Management Area 2B
Pacific and Grays Harbor counties.
Open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Saturdays and Wednesdays
only, Oct. 15, 2005 - Jan. 14, 2006.
Bag limits for Goose Management Areas 2A and 2B:
Daily bag limit: 4 geese, to include not more than 1 dusky Canada goose and 2 cackling geese
Possession limit: 8 geese, to include not more than 1 dusky Canada goose and 2 cackling geese
Season limit: 1 dusky Canada goose.
A dusky Canada goose is defined as a dark-breasted (as shown
in the Munsell color chart 10 YR, 5 or less) Canada goose with
a culmen (bill) length of 40-50 mm. A cackling goose is
defined as a goose with a culmen (bill) length of 32 mm or
less.
Special Provisions for Goose Management Areas 2A and 2B:
The Canada goose season for Goose Management Areas 2A and 2B
will be closed early if dusky Canada goose harvests exceed
area quotas which collectively total 80 geese. The fish and
wildlife commission has authorized the director to implement
emergency area closures in accordance with the following
quotas: A total of 80 duskys, to be distributed 10 for Zone 1
(Ridgefield NWR); 25 for Zone 2 (Cowlitz County south of the
Kalama River); 20 for Zone 3 (Clark County except Ridgefield
NWR); 10 for Zone 4 (Cowlitz County north of the Kalama River
and Wahkiakum County); 10 for Zone 5 (Pacific County); and 5
for Zone 6 (Grays Harbor County). Quotas may be shifted to
other zones during the season to optimize use of the statewide
quota and minimize depredation.
Hunting is only permitted by written authorization from the
Washington department of fish and wildlife. Hunters who
maintained a valid 2004-05 written authorization will be
mailed a 2005-06 authorization card prior to the 2005-06
season. New hunters and those who did not maintain a valid
2004-05 authorization must review goose identification
training materials and score a minimum of 80% on a goose
identification test to receive written authorization. Hunters
who fail a test must wait 28 days before retesting, and will
not be issued a reciprocal authorization until that time.
Information on training materials and testing dates/locations
is available at the Olympia and regional offices.
With written authorization, hunters will receive a harvest
report. Hunters must carry the authorization card and harvest
report while hunting. Immediately after taking a Canada goose
(dusky, lesser/Taverner, cackling, or other subspecies) into
possession, hunters must record in ink the information
required on the harvest report. Hunters must go directly to
the nearest check station and have geese tagged when leaving a
hunt site, before 6:00 p.m. If a hunter takes the season bag
limit of one dusky Canada goose or does not comply with
requirements listed above regarding checking of birds and
recording harvest on the harvest report, written authorization
will be invalidated and the hunter will not be able to hunt
Canada geese in Goose Management Areas 2A and 2B for the
remainder of the season and the special late Canada goose
season. It is unlawful to fail to comply with all provisions
listed above for Goose Management Areas 2A and 2B.
Special Late Canada Goose Season for Goose Management Area 2A:
Open to Washington department of fish and wildlife advanced hunter education (AHE) program graduates and youth hunters (15 years of age or under, who are accompanied by an AHE hunter) possessing a valid 2005-06 southwest Washington Canada goose hunting authorization, in areas with goose damage in Goose Management Area 2A on the following days, from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.:
Saturdays and Wednesdays only, Feb. 4 - Mar. 8, 2006.
Daily bag limit: 4 Canada geese, to include not more than 1
dusky Canada goose and 2 cackling geese.
Possession limit: 8 Canada geese, to include not more than 1 dusky Canada goose and 2 cackling geese.
Season limit: 1 dusky Canada goose.
A dusky Canada goose is defined as a dark-breasted Canada
goose (as shown in the Munsell color chart 10 YR, 5 or less)
with a culmen (bill) length of 40-50 mm. A cackling goose is
defined as a goose with a culmen (bill) length of 32 mm or
less.
Hunters qualifying for the season will be placed on a list for
participation in this hunt. Washington department of fish and
wildlife will assist landowners with contacting qualified
hunters to participate in damage control hunts on specific
lands incurring goose damage. Participation in this hunt will
depend on the level of damage experienced by landowners. The
special late Canada goose season will be closed by emergency
action if the harvest of dusky Canada geese exceeds 85 for the
regular and late seasons. All provisions listed above for
Goose Management Area 2A regarding written authorization,
harvest reporting, and checking requirements also apply to the
special late season; except hunters must confirm their
participation at least 24 hours in advance by calling the
goose hunting hotline (listed on hunting authorization), and
hunters must check out by 5:00 p.m. on each hunt day
regardless of success. It is unlawful to fail to comply with
all provisions listed above for the special late season in
Goose Management Area 2A.
Goose Management Area 3
Includes all parts of Western Washington not included in Goose
Management Areas 1, 2A, and 2B.
Oct. 15-27, 2005 and Nov. 5, 2005 - Jan. 29, 2006.
Daily bag limit: 4 geese
Possession limit: 8 geese
Eastern Washington Goose Seasons
Goose Management Area 4
Adams, Benton, Chelan, Douglas, Franklin, Grant, Kittitas,
Lincoln, Okanogan, Spokane, and Walla Walla counties.
Oct. 15-17, 2005, and Saturdays, Sundays, and Wednesdays only
during Oct. 22, 2005 - Jan. 22, 2006; Nov. 11, 24, and 25,
2005; Dec. 26, 27, 29, and 30, 2005; and every day Jan. 23-29,
2006.
Goose Management Area 5
Includes all parts of Eastern Washington not included in Goose
Management Area 4.
Oct. 15-17, 2005, every day from Oct. 22, 2005 - Jan. 29,
2006.
Bag limits for all Eastern Washington Goose Management Areas:
Daily bag limit: 4 geese
Possession limit: 8 geese
BRANT
Open in Skagit and Pacific counties only on the following
dates:
Jan. 21, 22, 24, 26, 28, 2006.
If the 2005-06 preseason brant population in Skagit County is
below 6,000 (as determined by the early January survey), the
brant season in Skagit County will be canceled.
WRITTEN AUTHORIZATION REQUIRED:
All hunters participating in this season are required to
obtain a written authorization and harvest report from the
Washington department of fish and wildlife. Hunters who held
a 2004-05 authorization and reported harvest prior to the
deadline will be mailed a 2005-06 authorization in November.
Hunters who did not possess a 2004-05 authorization must fill
out an application (available at Washington department of fish
and wildlife regional offices). Application forms must be
delivered to a department office no later than 5:00 p.m. on
November 8, or postmarked on or before November 8, after which
applicants will be mailed a 2005-06 authorization. Late
applications will not be accepted. Immediately after taking a
brant into possession, hunters must record in ink the
information required on the harvest report. Return of the
harvest report is mandatory. By February 15, 2006, hunters
must return the harvest report to the Washington department of
fish and wildlife, or report harvest information on the
department's internet reporting system. Hunters failing to
comply with reporting requirements will be ineligible to
participate in the 2006-07 brant season.
Bag limits for Skagit and Pacific counties:
Daily bag limit: 2 brant.
Possession limit: 4 brant.
ALEUTIAN GEESE AND SWANS
Season closed statewide.
FALCONRY SEASONS
DUCKS, COOTS, AND SNIPE (Falconry)
(Bag limits include geese and mourning doves.)
Oct. 15-19, 2005 and Oct. 22, 2005 - Jan. 29, 2006 statewide.
Daily bag limit: 3, straight or mixed bag with geese and
mourning doves during established seasons.
Possession limit: 6, straight or mixed bag with geese and
mourning doves during established seasons.
GEESE (Falconry)
(Bag limits include ducks, coot, snipe, and mourning doves.)
Goose Management Area 1: Oct. 15, 2005 - Jan. 8, 2006.
Goose Management Area 2A: Saturdays, Sundays, and Wednesdays
only, Nov. 12-27, 2005 and Dec. 7, 2005 – Jan. 29, 2006,
except closed Dec. 25, 2005 and Jan. 1, 2006; and Feb. 4 - Mar. 8, 2006.
Goose Management Area 2B: Wednesdays and Saturdays only, Oct.
15, 2005 - Jan. 14, 2006.
Goose Management Areas 3, 4, and 5: Oct. 15-17, 2005 and Nov.
5, 2005 - Jan. 29, 2006.
Daily bag limit for all areas: 3 geese (except brant and
Aleutian geese), straight or mixed bag with ducks, coots,
snipe, and mourning doves during established seasons.
Possession limit for all areas: 6 geese (except brant and
Aleutian geese), straight or mixed bag with ducks, coots,
snipe, and mourning doves during established seasons.
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The following section of the Washington Administrative Code is repealed:
| WAC 232-28-428 | 2004-05 Migratory waterfowl seasons and regulations |