PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
FISH AND WILDLIFE
Subject of Possible Rule Making: Minimum ages for youths hunting unaccompanied by an adult and for purchasing hunting licenses.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 77.12.047.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The department is contemplating changes to Washington's minimum age requirements for hunting and trapping without adult supervision and for purchasing hunting and trapping licenses. The department is undertaking this examination to determine how to keep hunters, hikers, and others safe when they are sharing outdoor recreation areas.
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: The department is working with its counterparts in several other U.S. states to compare minimum age hunting requirements with safety statistics to determine whether to change Washington's minimum age hunting requirements.
Process for Developing New Rule: Agency study.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Lori Preuss, WDFW Enforcement, 600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA 98501-1091, phone (360) 902-2930, fax (360) 902-2155, e-mail at preuslmp@dfw.wa.gov. Contact by October 15, 2008. Expected proposal filing on or after November 5, 2008.
August 28, 2008
Loreva M. Preuss
Rules Coordinator