WSR 13-16-056 PERMANENT RULES DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE [Order 13-180—Filed August 1, 2013, 1:45 p.m., effective September 1, 2013] Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing.
Purpose: Amendments to WAC 232-28-297 for hunting cougar in the 2013-14 season clarify hunt-area boundaries and maintain consistency with existing regulations.
Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 232-28-297.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 77.04.012, 77.04.055, 77.12.047, and 77.15.245.
Adopted under notice filed as WSR 13-10-087 on May 1, 2013.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 0, Amended 1, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: June 21, 2013.
Miranda Wecker, Chair
Fish and Wildlife Commission
AMENDATORY SECTION (Amending Order 12-70, filed 5/2/12, effective 6/2/12)
WAC 232-28-297 2012-2013, 2013-2014, and 2014-2015 Cougar hunting seasons and regulations.
(1) As used in this section and in the context of general cougar hunting seasons, "harvest guideline" means the estimated allowable harvest; the actual harvest may be less than or more than the harvest guideline. (2) Season dates and harvest guidelines for each license year:
(a) In hunt areas with a harvest guideline, the director may close the cougar late hunting season after January 1st in one or more GMUs if cougar harvest meets or exceeds the guideline. (b) In hunt areas with a harvest guideline, starting January 1st, cougar hunters may hunt cougar from January 1st until the hunt area harvest guideline has been met and the director has closed the cougar late hunting season, or March 31st, whichever occurs first. (3) Harvest guideline system: (a) All cougar killed by licensed hunters during the early and late hunting seasons, and seasons authorized under WAC 232-12-243 shall be counted toward the harvest guideline. (b) Individual problem cougar will continue to be killed on an as-needed basis utilizing depredation permits, landowner kill permits, and WDFW depredation authority regardless of harvest guidelines. (c) It is each cougar hunter's responsibility to verify if the cougar late hunting season is open or closed in hunt areas with a harvest guideline. Cougar hunters can verify if the season is open or closed by calling the toll-free cougar hunting hotline or visiting the department's web site. (4) Cougar hunting season requirements and special restrictions. (a) A valid big game hunting license which includes cougar as a species option is required to hunt cougar. (b) The statewide bag limit is one (1) cougar per license year; excluding removals authorized under WAC 232-12-243. It is unlawful to kill or possess spotted cougar kittens or adult cougars accompanied by spotted kittens. (c) The use of dogs to hunt cougar is prohibited; except by a commission authorized permit (WAC 232-12-243). (d) Any person who takes a cougar must comply with the notification and sealing requirements in WAC 232-12-024. (e) A special cougar permit is required to hunt cougar in GMU 485.
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