Purpose: Adopting WAC 232-28-429 2005-06 Migratory waterfowl seasons and regulations; repealing WAC 232-28-428 2004-05 Migratory waterfowl seasons and regulations; and amending WAC 232-12-068 Nontoxic shot requirements, 232-16-050 Byron Game Reserve, 232-16-740 Columbia, Snake, and Yakima River waterfowl, coot, and snipe closures, 232-28-285 2005-2006 Pilot cougar hunting seasons with the aid of dogs, and 232-28-299 Mandatory report of hunting activity.

     Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 232-28-428; and amending WAC 232-12-068, 232-16-050, 232-16-740, 232-28-285, and 232-28-299.

     Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 77.12.047.

      Adopted under notice filed as WSR 05-13-197, 05-13-198, 05-13-192, and 05-13-193 on June 22, 2005.

     Changes Other than Editing from Proposed to Adopted Version: WAC 232-28-429 2005-06 Migratory waterfowl seasons and regulations.

     Changes, if any, from the text of the proposed rule and reasons for difference:

     Under Ducks, Statewide, the canvasback season was initially adjusted to add language for a closure from Oct. 22 - Dec. 5, 2005, to conform to federal frameworks for a sixty-day canvasback season, while maintaining season dates similar to last year. Subsequent to that adjustment, the department received public input from the Waterfowl Advisory Group, recommending placement of canvasback season days as late as possible. The new language changes the closure period from Oct. 22 - Dec. 5, 2005 to Oct. 15 - Nov. 30, 2005, to shift season days as late as possible.

     Under Ducks, Statewide, change the daily bag limit for scaup from 4 to 3 and the possession limit from 8 to 6, to conform to recently announced federal frameworks.

     Under Duck Season, Written Authorization to Hunt Sea Ducks:

•     Insert the following sentence after the first sentence: "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."

•     Revise the next sentence from "Hunters must fill out an application (available at Washington department of fish and wildlife, Olympia and regional offices)" to "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)."

•     Insert the following sentence before the sentence that begins "Immediately after taking a sea duck into possession...": "No applications will be accepted after October 31, 2005."

     When the sea duck authorization was established in 2004, the department stated its intent to propose an application deadline for the 2005-06 season. The adjustments establish an application deadline and have the application requirement apply to new hunters only, similar to other special waterfowl hunting authorizations in the proposed rule.

     Under Goose Management Area 2B and Special Late Canada Goose Season for Goose Management Area 2A:

•     Change the possession limit from 2 to 4 for cackling geese, to conform to federal frameworks.

     Under Brant Season:

•     Change the words in the first sentence from "and Pacific counties" to "County."

•     Insert the following wording after the above Skagit County brant season dates: "Open in Pacific County only on the following dates: Jan. 7, 8, 10, 12, 14, 2006."

     These changes allow better placement of reduced season days for Pacific County considering tidal conditions, following establishment of new brant zones in the recently announced federal framework.

     Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 1, Amended 5, Repealed 1.

     Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0;      Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Date Adopted: August 5, 2005.

Jeff P. Koenings

for Ron Ozment, Chair

Fish and Wildlife Commission

OTS-8268.1

AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending Order 03-165, filed 7/29/03, effective 8/29/03)

WAC 232-12-068   Nontoxic shot requirements.   It is unlawful to possess shot (either in shotshells or as loose shot for muzzleloading) other than nontoxic shot when hunting for waterfowl, coot, or snipe. Nontoxic shot includes steel shot, bismuth-tin shot (97 parts bismuth: 3 parts tin with <1 percent residual lead), tungsten-iron shot (2 types - 40 parts tungsten: 60 parts iron with <1 percent residual lead, and 22 parts tungsten: 78 parts iron with <1 percent residual lead), tungsten-polymer shot (95.5 parts tungsten: 4.5 parts nylon 6 or 11 with <1 percent residual lead), tungsten-matrix shot (95.9 parts tungsten: 4.1 parts polymer with <1 percent residual lead), tungsten-iron-nickel-tin shot (65% tungsten: 10.4% iron: 2.8% nickel: 21.8% tin, with <1 percent residual lead), ((or)) tungsten-nickel-iron shot (((50)) 20-70% tungsten: ((35)) 10-40% nickel: ((15)) 10-70% iron with <1 percent residual lead), tungsten-tin-bismuth shot (49-71% tungsten, 29-51% tin, 0.5-6.5% bismuth with <1 percent residual lead), and tungsten-bronze shot (51.1% tungsten, 44.4% copper, 3.9% tin, 0.6% iron with <1 percent residual lead). The director may adopt additional nontoxic shot types consistent with federal regulations.

     It is unlawful to possess shot (either in shotshells or as loose shot for muzzleloading) other than nontoxic shot in the following areas:

     Bridgeport Bar segment of the Well's Wildlife Area

     Cowlitz Wildlife Area

     Lake Terrell Wildlife Area (including Tennant Lake and other segments)

     Shillapoo Wildlife Area

     Skagit Wildlife Area (all segments)

     Snoqualmie Wildlife Area (all segments)

     Sunnyside Wildlife Area

     The Driscoll Island, Hegdahl, and Kline Parcel segments of the Sinlahekin Wildlife Area

     Vancouver Lake Wildlife Area

It is unlawful to possess shot (either in shotshells or as loose shot for muzzleloading) other than nontoxic shot when hunting for game birds or game animals in the following areas:

     Chehalis River pheasant release site

     Dungeness Recreation Area

     Hunter Farms pheasant release site

     Raymond Airport pheasant release site

     Two Rivers and Wallula Units of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's McNary National Wildlife Refuge

     (([All])) All Whidbey Island (([Seaplane Base, OLF Coupeville, and Bayview])) pheasant release sites(([.]))

[Statutory Authority: RCW 77.12.047. 03-16-030 (Order 03-165), § 232-12-068, filed 7/29/03, effective 8/29/03; 03-13-047 (Order 03-129), § 232-12-068, filed 6/12/03, effective 7/13/03. Statutory Authority: RCW 77.12.040. 01-17-092 (Order 01-157), § 232-12-068, filed 8/20/01, effective 9/20/01. Statutory Authority: RCW 77.12.040, 77.12.020, 77.32.070, 77.32.530. 01-10-048 (Order 01-69), § 232-12-068, 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), § 232-12-068, filed 5/23/00, effective 6/23/00. Statutory Authority: RCW 77.12.040. 99-17-034 (Order 99-118), § 232-12-068, filed 8/11/99, effective 9/11/99; 98-17-044 (Order 98-152), § 232-12-068, filed 8/13/98, effective 9/13/98; 97-18-026 (Order 97-164), § 232-12-068, filed 8/25/97, effective 9/25/97. Statutory Authority: RCW 77.12.040 and 77.12.010. 96-18-009 (Order 96-127), § 232-12-068, filed 8/22/96, effective 9/22/96. Statutory Authority: RCW 77.12.040. 95-18-072 (Order 95-126) § 232-12-068, filed 9/1/95, effective 10/2/95.]

OTS-8269.1

AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending Order, filed 7/29/64)

WAC 232-16-050   Byron Game Reserve.   That part of the Byron Ponds segment of the Sunnyside ((Game Range)) Wildlife Area (department of ((game)) fish and wildlife lands) east of the Mabton Pressure Pipeline, legally described as ((that part of)) the W.1/2 of Section 12 that is north of U.S. Highway No. 410 ((and the SW1/4 of the NE1/4 and)) except for the NE1/4 of the SE1/4 of the SW1/4; the ((N.1/2)) NW1/4 of the NW1/4 of the SE1/4 of Section 12; ((and)) that part of Section 11 east of the Mabton pressure pipeline and north of U.S. Highway No. 410; and that part of Section 2 that is east of said pipeline; all of the above sections being in Twp. 8N., R.23E.W.M.

[Order, filed 7/29/64; Resolution 168, filed 3/21/60.]

OTS-8270.1

AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending Order 04-207, filed 8/11/04, effective 9/11/04)

WAC 232-16-740   Columbia, Snake, and Yakima River waterfowl, coot, and snipe closures.   It shall be unlawful to hunt migratory waterfowl, coot and jacksnipe on or within the following described areas:

     Section 1. Waters and land below the mean high water mark of Bachelor Island Slough of the Columbia River in Clark County. Bachelor Island Slough is further defined as those waters starting at the south end of the slough at its confluence with the Columbia river, running north along the eastern shore of Bachelor Island to the confluence with Lake River.

     Section 2. Klickitat County - the Columbia River and those lands lying within one-quarter mile of the Columbia River upstream from the railroad bridge at Wishram to the grain elevator at Roosevelt.

     Section 3. The Columbia River between the mouth of Glade Creek (river channel marker 57) and the old town site of Paterson (river channel marker 67), except the hunting of waterfowl, coot, and snipe is permitted from the main shoreline of the Columbia River in this area.

     Section 4. The Columbia River and those lands lying within one-quarter mile of the Columbia River between the old Hanford townsite (Wooden Tower) powerline crossing in Section ((30)) 24, T13N, ((R28E)) R27E, to Vernita Bridge (Highway 24).

     Section 5. The Columbia River between the public boat launch at Sunland Estates (Wanapum Pool) and a point perpendicular in Kittitas County; upstream to the posted marker 200 yards north of Quilomene Bay and a point perpendicular in Grant County, including islands.

     Section 6. The Snake River and those lands within one-quarter mile of the Snake River, between the U.S. Highway 12 bridge near Burbank, upstream to a line running between shoreline navigation marker((s)) 4 ((and 5)) at Levey ((and Charbonneau Recreation Areas)) Park Recreation Area and the Corps of Engineers windmill at Charbonneau Habitat Management Unit.

     Section 7. The Yakima River and those lands lying within one-fourth mile of the Yakima River from the Sunnyside-Mabton Road bridge downstream to the Euclid Road bridge (4 miles).

     Section 8. The Yakima River and those lands lying within one-fourth mile of the Yakima River from the Grant Avenue bridge (steel bridge) north of Prosser downstream 2-1/2 miles, to the powerline.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 77.12.047. 04-17-061 (Order 04-207), § 232-16-740, filed 8/11/04, effective 9/11/04; 03-16-087 (Order 03-175), § 232-16-740, filed 8/5/03, effective 9/5/03. Statutory Authority: RCW 77.12.040. 97-18-023 (Order 97-163), § 232-16-740, filed 8/25/97, effective 9/25/97. Statutory Authority: RCW 77.12.040 and 77.12.010. 96-18-005 (Order 96-123), § 232-16-740, filed 8/22/96, effective 9/22/96.]

OTS-8271.2

AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending Order 04-284, filed 10/14/04, effective 11/14/04)

WAC 232-28-285   ((2004-2005)) 2005-2006 Pilot cougar hunting seasons with the aid of dogs.   As used in this section and in the context of pilot cougar hunting seasons, the following definitions apply:

     "Accompany" means the dog handler and permit hunter must be in the physical presence of each other at the time dogs are released from a leash or unrestrained.

     "Pursue" or "pursuit" means dogs that are not on a leash or restrained, are in the act of tracking a cougar. Transporting dogs in a motorized vehicle or walking a dog on a leash is not a pursuit.

     "Dog owner" means a person that owns and hunts with dogs that are capable of detecting, tracking and treeing a cougar.

     "Quota" means the targeted harvest goal. The actual harvest level may exceed the quota.

     "Kill permit" allows a hunter to pursue or kill cougar.

     "Pursuit permit" allows a hunter to pursue cougar.

     (1) The pilot cougar-hunting season will allow use of dogs to hunt cougar. The hunts will consist of pursuit-or-kill seasons and pursuit-only seasons, and are allowed only in Chelan, Okanogan, Ferry, Stevens, and Pend Oreille counties.

     (2) Pursuit-or-kill seasons:

     Cougar may be pursued or killed with the aid of dogs from December 1, ((2004)) 2005, until the female zone quota has been killed, the total zone quota has been killed, or March 31, ((2005)) 2006, whichever occurs first; EXCEPT GMUs 101 and 204 where cougar may be pursued or killed from January 1, ((2005)) 2006, until the female zone quota has been killed, the total zone quota has been killed, or March 31, ((2005)) 2006, whichever occurs first.

     (3) Pursuit-only seasons:

     (a) If a zone quota is killed prior to March 31, ((2005)) 2006, cougar may be pursued with dogs in all or portions of that zone until March 31, ((2005)) 2006. Hunters may only pursue cougars in designated pursuit only areas identified on their ((hound)) kill or pursuit-only permit. Hunters may not kill cougar during pursuit-only seasons.

     ((Only)) (b) Hunters selected for the pursuit-or-kill season (accompanied by up to three of their identified handlers) may participate in a pursuit-only season. ((Hunters may not kill cougar during pursuit-only seasons.)) Permit hunters that harvest a cougar under a kill permit may continue to pursue cougars until March 31. If a zone quota is killed, the department will also issue pursuit-only permit to hunters drawn at random from the unselected pool of applicants. The director will identify the number of pursuit-only hunters selected.

     (4) Hunt areas and kill quotas:

     Cougar seasons will be based on a quota system, where permit hunters using dogs may hunt and kill cougar until the allotted numbers of cougar have been killed from each hunt zone or March 31, ((2005)) 2006, whichever occurs first.

     (a) Kill quotas start September 1 and will include all cougar killed during seasons with and without the aid of dogs, including cougar seasons under this section, cougar seasons without the aid of dogs authorized under WAC 232-28-272, depredation permits, landowner kill permits, and WDFW depredation authority.

     (b) Individual problem cougar will continue to be killed on an as-needed basis utilizing depredation permits, landowner kill permits, and WDFW depredation authority even if these kills result in exceeding a zone quota.

				DRAFT QUOTA
CMU	Hunt Choice	Hunt Zone	Area Description	Total		Female
East Cascades North	9001	Okanogan	Those portions of GMUs 203, 209, 215, 218, 233, 224, 231, 239, and 242 within Okanogan County		28		11
	9002	Chelan	Those portions of GMUs 243, 244, 245, 246, 247, 249, 250, and 251 within Chelan County		10		4
Northeastern	9003	Ferry-Okanogan	GMUs 101, 204		26		10
	9004	Stevens-Pend Oreille	Those portions of GMUs 105, 108, 111, 113, 117, 121 within Stevens and Pend Oreille counties		38		15

     (5) Quota hotline:

     Permit hunters participating in a pursuit-or-kill season must call the toll free cougar quota hotline within twenty-four hours prior to each day hunting cougar to determine if the zone quota has been killed and the zone is closed. Hunters who hunt more than one consecutive day must call the quota hotline once daily to determine if the zone quota is killed. Hunters who harvest a cougar with the aid of dogs must notify the department within twenty-four 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, with proof of sex naturally attached, 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.

     (6) Kill or pursuit-only permit eligibility:

     (a) To apply for a kill or pursuit-only permit under this section, individuals must sign an affidavit provided by the department, certifying under penalty of false swearing under RCW 9A.72.040 that they are a dog owner. The affidavit must be mailed to WDFW by the date and time identified by the director. Individuals not registered as a dog owner will not be issued a permit.

     (b) To apply for a kill or pursuit-only permit under this section, individuals must purchase a cougar permit application and submit the application in compliance with WAC 232-28-291 by a date and time identified by the director.

     (((b))) (c) To be eligible for a permit, the participant must be a Washington resident ((dog hunter as defined in WAC 232-12-243,)) who at the time of application for a permit possesses a valid big game license with cougar as a species option. The permit holder must use dogs while participating in a cougar hunt under this section.

     (((c))) (d) A permit will not be issued to any person who has been convicted of unlawful use of dogs under RCW 77.15.245 within the five-year period prior to December 1, 2004. Any person issued a permit and who is subsequently convicted of any wildlife offense while participating in a pursuit-or-kill or pursuit-only season, or who violates any condition of the permit, will have the permit revoked and will be ineligible to participate in the remainder of the three-year pilot program.

     (7) Permit issuance procedure:

     (a) The number of kill permits for a pursuit-or-kill season with the aid of dogs may be established by the director, but will not exceed two times the total cougar quota for each hunt zone.

     (b) The department will issue ((hound)) kill or pursuit-only permits to the persons whose applications are drawn at random. Individuals selected will be notified by telephone or mail. Individuals selected must ((contact)) return the signed affidavit to the department's wildlife program in Olympia ((and accept the hound permit)) within fifteen days of being notified. Failure to ((contact)) return the completed affidavit to the department will result in forfeit of the permit. Kill and pursuit-only permits may not be sold or reassigned.

     (c) If a female zone quota or total zone quota is not killed in a hunt zone by ((February 1)) January 15 (or sooner as identified by the director), then the department will issue ((hound)) kill permits to additional hunters. Hunters will be drawn at random from the unselected pool of applicants and must be a resident of one of the five counties.

     (8) Qualifications for participation and requirements:

     In addition to the provisions applicable to all cougar hunters:

     (a) Successful applicants must complete a ((hound permit)) training program prior to participating in a pursuit-or-kill season or pursuit-only season with the aid of dogs.

     (b) Participants must have their ((hound)) permit issued by the department in ((the person's)) their possession while hunting cougar.

     (c) Individuals selected for a ((hound)) kill permit may kill and possess two cougar per permit and only the permittee may kill the cougar(s). However, a ((hound)) kill permit holder may not kill a second cougar in a hunt zone until ((February 1)) January 15 (or sooner as identified by the director).

     (d) Individuals selected for a cougar ((pursuit or)) kill ((season with the aid of dogs)) or pursuit-only permit may ((identify up to five hound)) use dog handlers. However, no more than three ((of the five)) handlers may accompany the permittee while hunting or pursuing cougar. ((The names of the five hound handlers must be provided to the department prior to their participation in the hunt. These names will be listed on the hound permit. Hound handlers not identified on the permit are not allowed to participate.)) Dog handlers may not pursue cougar when the permit hunter is not present at the time the dogs are released from a leash or unrestrained. Dog handlers must have a dog handler identification card, issued by the department, in their possession while participating in a pursuit-or-kill season or pursuit-only season.

     (e) ((Hound)) Dog handlers must be a Washington resident and possess a valid hunting license.

     (f) It is unlawful to kill or possess spotted cougar kittens or adult cougars accompanied by spotted kittens.

     (g) Participants must have a vehicle placard issued by the department. The vehicle placard must be placed in the permittee's and ((hound)) dog handler's vehicles and be visible from outside the vehicles at all times while hunting or pursuing cougar.

     (h) ((Participants)) Kill and pursuit-only permit hunters are required to maintain and return to the department((, upon request,)) a pilot cougar hunting season logbook. At the end of each day hunting cougar, the permit hunters must record their hunting activities, including that of their dog handlers, in their logbook. If requested by department staff, permit hunters must provide the logbook for inspection. Logbooks must be mailed to the department at WDFW-Pilot Cougar Hunt, 600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA 98501-1091 by April 10, 2006. A violation of this requirement under this subsection is punishable as an infraction under RCW 77.15.160.

     (9) The permit belongs to the state of Washington. The permit holder may be required to return to or turn over to the department the permit when, in the judgment of the department, the permit holder violates any conditions of the permit, violates trespass laws while acting under this permit, or violates any other criminal law or hunting regulation of the state while acting under this permit. If the permit holder is required to return to or turn over to the department the permit, the permit holder may request an appeal of that action in accordance with chapter 34.05 RCW. Appeal request shall be filed in writing and returned within twenty days of the date of action and be addressed to WDFW Legal Services Office, 600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, Washington 98501-1091.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 77.12.047. 04-21-036 (Order 04-284), § 232-28-285, filed 10/14/04, effective 11/14/04.]

OTS-8272.1

AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending Order 02-129, filed 7/8/02, effective 8/8/02)

WAC 232-28-299   Mandatory report of hunting activity.   (1) All hunters purchasing a hunting license must report their hunting activity for deer, elk, bear, or turkey.

     (a) Hunters must report hunting activity, for each tag acquired, by January 31.

     (b) Reports must be made using the department's designated automated telephone hunter reporting system (toll free) or internet hunter reporting system.

     (c) Any hunter not reporting, for each tag acquired, by January 31 will be in noncompliance of reporting requirements.

     (d) Compliance will be credited for each species for which a transport tag is acquired.

     (2) As an incentive for prompt reporting, all successful hunters who report harvest within 10 days of killing an animal and unsuccessful hunters who report by midnight January 10 or within 10 days after the last day of their permit hunt will be entered into a drawing for special deer and elk incentive permits. To be eligible for the drawing, hunters must report their hunting activity for each transport tag acquired.

     ((Special incentive permits for 2002.

     (a) There will be two (2) any elk special incentive permits for western Washington and two (2) for eastern Washington for use in any area open to general or permit hunting seasons EXCEPT private lands wildlife management areas and GMUs 157, 162, 166, and 485.

     (b) There will be five (5) statewide any deer special incentive permits, for use in any area open to general or permit hunting seasons EXCEPT private lands wildlife management areas and GMUs 157 and 485.

     (c) Open season: The deer or elk special incentive permit hunter must use archery equipment during archery seasons, muzzleloader equipment during muzzleloader seasons, and any legal weapon at other times if there are no firearm restrictions.

     (d) The dates for the hunts will be September 1 to December 31, 2002.

     (e) Hunters awarded the special incentive permit will be required to send the appropriate license fee to the department of fish and wildlife headquarters in Olympia. The department will issue the license and transport tag and send it to the special incentive permit winner.

     (f) Bag limit: One additional deer or elk.))

     (3) ((Beginning with license year 2002 and there after,)) Hunters who have not reported hunting activity by January 31 for ((the)) deer, elk, bear, or turkey tags acquired the previous year will be required to ((complete a hunting report for those species)) pay a $10 penalty before a new license ((for)) that ((species)) includes deer, elk, bear, or turkey tags will be issued. A hunter may only be penalized a maximum of $10 during a license year.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 77.12.047. 02-15-018 (Order 02-129), § 232-28-299, filed 7/8/02, effective 8/8/02. Statutory Authority: RCW 77.12.040, 77.12.020, 77.32.070, 77.32.530. 01-10-048 (Order 01-69), § 232-28-299, filed 4/26/01, effective 5/27/01.]

OTS-8267.2

NEW SECTION
WAC 232-28-429   2005-06 Migratory waterfowl seasons and regulations.  

DUCKS

Statewide

Oct. 15-19, 2005 and Oct. 22, 2005 - Jan. 29, 2006, except canvasback season closed Oct. 15 - Nov. 30, 2005.

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, 3 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, 6 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 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 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 4 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 4 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 County 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.

Open in Pacific County only on the following dates:

Jan. 7, 8, 10, 12, 14, 2006.

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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OTS-8266.1

REPEALER

     The following section of the Washington Administrative Code is repealed:

WAC 232-28-428

2004-05 Migratory waterfowl seasons and regulations.

© Washington State Code Reviser's Office