WSR 13-17-083
PERMANENT RULES
DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND WILDLIFE
[Order 13-186—Filed August 19, 2013, 12:05 p.m., effective September 19, 2013]
Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing.
Purpose: Amend migratory waterfowl seasons and regulations to provide recreational activity and resource conservation.
Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 232-28-436.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 77.12.047, 77.12.240, 77.32.070.
Adopted under notice filed as WSR 13-13-084 on June 19, 2013.
Changes Other than Editing from Proposed to Adopted Version:
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Duck Season: There were no restricted bag limits or restricted season length for scaup proposed in the original CR-102 filing. The recommended adjustment reduces the scaup daily bag limit from 7 to 3 per day and reduces the season length by three weeks, from 107 to 86 days. These changes are required by United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) based on the results of recent breeding population survey information and the scaup harvest strategy.
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Duck Season: The canvasback daily limit was originally proposed for 1 per day. The recommended adjustment increases the canvasback daily bag limit to 2 per day, based on the results of recent breeding population survey information and the canvasback harvest strategy.
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Coot (Mudhen) Possession Limits: Possession limits for coot was increased to 75 from 25. The daily bag limit remained at 25.
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Possession Limits: In the CR-102 filing, possession limits for most migratory bird seasons were proposed for two times the daily bag limit. For those seasons, possession limits have been increased to three times the daily bag limit, except for the two day youth hunt, which remained the same. Possession limits for other migratory species remain unchanged. Possession limit changes reflect new regulation options provided in July by USFWS. For scaup, a possession limit of 9 has been added for the regular season to be consistent with possession limits for other duck species (3X daily bag).
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Snow Goose Harvest Record Card: Wording for the harvest record card requirement was changed from "purchase" to "possess," to conform to language for other migratory bird harvest record cards and assist enforcement.
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Dusky Canada Goose Area Harvest Quotas: Higher dusky area harvest quotas for the regular and late seasons were proposed in the CR-102, in anticipation of continued improvement of the dusky breeding population index in 2013. Quotas were returned to past levels because the USFWS breeding population survey was not completed in 2013 due to aircraft and weather problems.
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Goose Management Area 2A/2B Hunting Authorization Requirements: Original wording in the CR-102 did not indicate that hunters were required to possess a valid 2013-14 migratory bird hunting authorization for Goose Management Area 2A/2B and daily goose harvest record card when hunting geese in Goose Management Areas 2A and 2B. The word "valid" was inserted before "2013-14" to clarify season requirements and assist enforcement.
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Special Late Goose Season for Goose Management Area 2A: Wording for the special migratory bird hunting authorization and harvest record card was changed from "2013-14 hunting authorization for Goose Management Area 2A/2B and daily goose harvest record card" to "special 2013-14 migratory bird hunting authorization for Goose Management Area 2A/2B and daily goose harvest record card." These changes clarify the licensing requirements for this season, repeating the same language from the regular season.
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Goose Management Area 4 Season Dates: The Veteran's Day holiday (November 11) was inadvertently excluded from the list of season dates for Goose Management Area 4. The holiday was added to the list of season dates because it is a traditional goose hunting day for this management area.
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Mandatory Reporting for Migratory Bird Harvest Record Cards: Original wording in the CR-102 required receipt of migratory bird harvest reports by the reporting deadlines. The wording "for receipt" has been deleted to allow Washington department of fish and wildlife to accept mandatory reports with postmarks on or before the reporting dates, to conform to other species' mandatory reporting requirements.
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: August 2, 2013.
Miranda Wecker, Chair
Fish and Wildlife Commission
AMENDATORY SECTION (Amending WSR 12-18-001, filed 8/22/12, effective 9/22/12)
WAC 232-28-436 ((2012-13)) 2013-2014 Migratory waterfowl seasons and regulations.
DUCKS
Statewide: Oct. ((13-17, 2012)) 12-16, 2013 and Oct. ((20, 2012)) 19, 2013 - Jan. ((27, 2013)) 26, 2014; except scaup season closed Oct. 12 - Nov. 1, 2013.
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. ((22-23, 2012)) 21-22, 2013.
Daily Bag Limit: 7 ducks, to include not more than 2 hen mallard, 2 pintail, 3 scaup, 1 canvasback, and 2 redhead statewide; and to include not more than 1 harlequin, 2 scoter, 2 long-tailed duck, and 2 goldeneye in Western Washington.
Possession Limit for Regular Season: ((14)) 21 ducks, to include not more than ((4)) 6 hen mallard, ((4)) 6 pintail, ((2)) 9 scaup, 3 canvasback, and ((4)) 6 redhead statewide; and to include not more than 1 harlequin, ((4)) 6 scoter, ((4)) 6 long-tailed duck, and ((4)) 6 goldeneye in Western Washington.
Possession Limit for Youth Hunting Weekend: 14 ducks, to include not more than 4 hen mallard, 4 pintail, 6 scaup, 2 canvasback, and 4 redhead statewide; and to include not more than 1 harlequin, 4 scoter, 4 long-tailed duck, and 4 goldeneye in Western Washington.
Season Limit: 1 harlequin in Western Washington.
AUTHORIZATION AND HARVEST RECORD CARD REQUIRED TO HUNT SEA DUCKS
Hunters must possess a special ((2012-))2013-2014 hunting authorization and harvest record card for sea ducks when hunting harlequin, scoter, long-tailed duck, and goldeneye in Western Washington. Hunters who did not possess a ((2011-12)) 2012-13 sea duck harvest record card must submit an application form to Washington state department of fish and wildlife (WDFW). Immediately after taking a sea duck into possession, hunters must record in ink the information required on the harvest record card.
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)) 75 coots.
SNIPE
Same areas, dates (except youth hunting weekend), and shooting hours as the general duck season.
Daily Bag Limit: 8 snipe.
Possession Limit: ((16)) 24 snipe.
GEESE (except Brant)
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. ((22-23, 2012)) 21-22, 2013, 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. ((13, 2012)) 12, 2013 - Jan. ((27, 2013)) 26, 2014 for snow, Ross', and blue geese. Oct. ((13-25, 2012)) 12-24, 2013 and Nov. ((3, 2012)) 2, 2013 - Jan. ((27, 2013)) 26, 2014 for other geese (except brant).
Daily Bag Limit: 4 geese.
Possession Limit: ((8)) 12 geese.
AUTHORIZATION AND HARVEST RECORD CARD REQUIRED TO HUNT SNOW GEESE
Hunters must ((purchase)) possess a special ((2012-13)) 2013-14 migratory bird hunting authorization and harvest record card for snow geese when hunting snow, Ross', and blue geese in Goose Management Area 1. Hunters who did not possess a ((2011-12)) 2012-13 snow goose harvest record card must submit an application form to WDFW. Immediately after taking a snow, Ross', or blue goose into possession, hunters must record in ink the information required on the harvest record card.
SNOW GOOSE QUALITY HUNTING PROGRAM IN GOOSE MANAGEMENT AREA 1
All hunters must obey posted signs regarding access restrictions. Quality hunt units are not available for commercial uses.
SKAGIT COUNTY SPECIAL RESTRICTIONS
It is unlawful to discharge a firearm for the purpose of hunting waterfowl within 100 feet of any paved public road on Fir Island in Skagit County or to discharge a firearm for the purpose of hunting snow geese within 100 feet of any paved public road in other areas of Skagit County.
While hunting snow geese, if a hunter is convicted of (a) trespass; (b) shooting from, across, or along the maintained part of any public highway; (c) discharging a firearm for the purpose of hunting waterfowl within 100 feet of any paved public road on Fir Island in Skagit County or discharging a firearm within 100 feet of any paved public road for the purpose of hunting snow geese in other areas of Skagit County; or (d) exceeding the daily bag limit for geese, authorization will be invalidated for the remainder of the current snow goose season and an authorization will not be issued for the subsequent 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. ((10-25, 2012)) 9 - Dec. 1, 2013 and Dec. ((5, 2012)) 11, 2013 - Jan. ((27, 2013)) 26, 2014, except closed Dec. 25, 2013 and Jan. 1, 2014. Ridgefield NWR open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays only, Nov. ((10-24, 2012)) 9-30, 2013 and Dec. ((6, 2012)) 12, 2013 - Jan. ((26, 2013)) 25, 2014, except closed Nov. ((22, 2012, Dec. 25, 2012, and Jan. 1, 2013)) 28, 2013.
Bag Limits for Goose Management Area 2A:
Daily Bag Limit: 4 geese, to include not more than 1 dusky Canada goose and 3 cackling geese.
Possession Limit: ((8)) 12 geese, to include not more than 1 dusky Canada goose and ((6)) 9 cackling geese.
Season Limit: 1 dusky Canada goose.
Goose Management Area 2B
Pacific County: Open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Saturdays and Wednesdays only, Oct. ((13-24, 2012)) 12-23, 2013 and Nov. ((3, 2012)) 2, 2013 - Jan. ((19, 2013)) 18, 2014.
Bag Limits for Goose Management Area 2B:
Daily Bag Limit: 4 geese, to include not more than 1 dusky Canada goose, 3 cackling geese, and 1 Aleutian goose.
Possession Limit: ((8)) 12 geese, to include not more than 1 dusky Canada goose, ((6)) 9 cackling geese, and ((2)) 3 Aleutian geese.
Season Limit: 1 dusky Canada goose.
Special Provisions for Goose Management Areas 2A and 2B:
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.
The goose season for Goose Management Areas 2A and 2B will be closed early if dusky Canada goose harvests exceed area quotas which collectively total 40 geese. The fish and wildlife commission has authorized the director to implement emergency area closures in accordance with the following quotas: A total of 40 duskys, to be distributed 5 for Zone 1 (Ridgefield NWR); 5 for Zone 2 (Cowlitz County south of the Kalama River); 15 for Zone 3 (Clark County except Ridgefield NWR); 7 for Zone 4 (Cowlitz County north of the Kalama River and Wahkiakum County); and 8 for Zone 5 (Pacific County). Quotas may be shifted to other zones during the season to optimize use of the statewide quota and minimize depredation.
Hunters must possess a valid special ((2012-13)) 2013-14 migratory bird hunting authorization for Goose Management Area 2A/2B and daily goose harvest record card when hunting geese in Goose Management Areas 2A and 2B. New hunters and those who did not maintain a valid ((2011-12)) 2012-13 authorization must review goose identification training materials and score a minimum of 80% on a goose identification test to receive authorization. Hunters who fail a test must wait 28 days before retesting, and will not be issued a reciprocal authorization until that time.
Immediately after taking any goose into possession, hunters must record in ink the information required on the harvest record card. Hunters must go directly to the nearest check station and have geese tagged when leaving a hunt site, before 6:00 p.m. All geese shall be presented intact and fully feathered at the check station. If a hunter takes the season bag limit of 1 dusky Canada goose or does not comply with requirements listed above regarding checking of birds and recording harvest on the harvest record card, authorization will be invalidated and the hunter will not be able to hunt geese in Goose Management Areas 2A and 2B for the remainder of the season and the special late goose season. It is unlawful to fail to comply with all provisions listed above for Goose Management Areas 2A and 2B.
Special Late Goose Season for Goose Management Area 2A:
Open to WDFW master hunter program graduates and youth hunters (15 years of age or under, who are accompanied by a master hunter) possessing a valid ((2012-13 southwest Washington goose)) special 2013-14 migratory bird hunting authorization for Goose Management Area 2A/2B and daily goose harvest record card, 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. ((2)) 1 - Mar. ((6, 2013)) 5, 2014.
Daily Bag Limit: 4 geese, to include not more than 1 dusky Canada goose and 3 cackling geese.
Possession Limit: ((8)) 12 geese, to include not more than 1 dusky Canada goose and ((6)) 9 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. WDFW 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 goose season will be closed by emergency action if the harvest of dusky Canada geese exceeds 45 for the regular and late seasons. All provisions listed above for Goose Management Area 2A regarding 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. ((13-25, 2012)) 12-24, 2013 and Nov. ((3, 2012)) 2, 2013 - Jan. ((27, 2013)) 26, 2014.
Daily Bag Limit: 4 geese.
Possession Limit: ((8)) 12 geese.
Eastern Washington Goose Seasons
Goose Management Area 4
Adams, Benton, Chelan, Douglas, Franklin, Grant, Kittitas, Lincoln, Okanogan, Spokane, and Walla Walla counties: Saturdays, Sundays, and Wednesdays only during Oct. ((13, 2012)) 12, 2013 - Jan. ((20, 2013)) 19, 2014; Nov. ((22 and 23, 2012)) 11, 28 and 29, 2013; Dec. ((25)) 26, 27, ((28)) 30, and 31, ((2012)) 2013; ((Jan. 1, 2013,)) and every day Jan. ((21-27, 2013)) 20-26, 2014.
Goose Management Area 5
Includes all parts of Eastern Washington not included in Goose Management Area 4: Oct. ((13-15, 2012)) 12-14, 2013, every day from Oct. ((20, 2012)) 19, 2013 - Jan. ((27, 2013)) 26, 2014.
Bag Limits for all Eastern Washington Goose Management Areas:
Daily Bag Limit: 4 geese.
Possession Limit: ((8)) 12 geese.
BRANT
Open in Skagit County only on the following dates: Jan. ((12, 13, 16, 19, 20, 23, 26, and 27, 2013)) 11, 12, 15, 18, 19, 22, 25, and 26, 2014.
If the ((2012-13)) 2013-14 preseason brant population in Skagit County is below 6,000 (as determined by the ((early January)) midwinter waterfowl survey), the brant season in Skagit County will be canceled.
Open in Pacific County only on the following dates: Jan. ((5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 13, 15, 17, 19, and 20, 2013)) 4, 5, 7, 9, 11, 12, 14, 16, 18, and 19, 2014.
AUTHORIZATION AND HARVEST RECORD CARD REQUIRED TO HUNT BRANT
Hunters must possess a special ((2012-13)) 2013-14 migratory bird hunting authorization and harvest record card for brant when hunting brant. Hunters who did not possess a ((2011-12)) 2012-13 brant harvest record card must submit an application form to WDFW. Immediately after taking a brant into possession, hunters must record in ink the information required on the harvest record card.
Bag Limits for Skagit and Pacific counties:
Daily Bag Limit: 2 brant.
Possession Limit: ((4)) 6 brant.
SWANS
Season closed statewide.
MANDATORY REPORTING FOR MIGRATORY BIRD HARVEST RECORD CARDS
Hunters must report ((2012-13)) 2013-14 harvest information from band-tailed pigeon harvest record cards to WDFW ((for receipt)) by Sept. 30, ((2012)) 2013, and harvest information from brant, sea duck, and snow goose harvest record cards to WDFW ((for receipt)) by Feb. 15, ((2013)) 2014. Every person issued a migratory bird hunting authorization and harvest record card must return the entire card to WDFW or report the card information at the designated internet site listed on the harvest record card. Any hunter failing to report by the deadline will be in noncompliance of reporting requirements. Hunters who have not reported hunting activity by the reporting deadline for any harvest record card acquired in ((2012-13)) 2013-14 will be required to pay a $10 administrative fee before any new ((2013-14)) 2014-15 migratory bird authorization and harvest record card will be issued. A hunter may only be penalized a maximum of $10 during a license year.
FALCONRY SEASONS
DUCKS, COOTS, AND SNIPE (Falconry)
(Bag limits include geese and mourning doves.)
Oct. ((13-17, 2012)) 12-16, 2013 and Oct. ((20, 2012)) 19, 2013 - Jan. ((27, 2013)) 26, 2014 statewide.
Daily Bag Limit: 3, straight or mixed bag with geese and mourning doves during established seasons.
Possession Limit: ((6)) 9, 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. ((13, 2012)) 12, 2013 - Jan. ((27, 2013)) 26, 2014 for snow, Ross', or blue geese. Oct. ((13-25, 2012)) 12-24, 2013 and Nov. ((3, 2012)) 2, 2013 - Jan. ((27, 2013)) 26, 2014 for other geese.
Goose Management Area 2A: Saturdays, Sundays, and Wednesdays only, Nov. ((10-25, 2012)) 9-24, 2013 and Dec. ((5, 2012)) 4, 2013 - Jan. ((27, 2013)) 26, 2014.
Goose Management Area 2B: Saturdays and Wednesdays only, Oct. ((13-24, 2012)) 12-23, 2013 and Nov. ((3, 2012)) 2, 2013 - Jan. ((19, 2013)) 18, 2014.
Goose Management Areas 3, 4, and 5: Oct. ((13-14, 2012)) 12-13, 2013 and Nov. ((3, 2012)) 2, 2013 - Jan. ((27, 2013)) 26, 2014.
Daily Bag Limit for All Areas: 3 geese (except brant), straight or mixed bag with ducks, coots, snipe, and mourning doves during established seasons.
Possession Limit for All Areas: ((6)) 9 geese (except brant), straight or mixed bag with ducks, coots, snipe, and mourning doves during established seasons.