WSR 16-10-120 PROPOSED RULES DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE [Filed May 4, 2016, 11:33 a.m.]
Supplemental Notice to WSR 16-04-126.
Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 15-24-136 on December 2, 2015.
Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: The department is proposing revisions to proposed WAC 232-28-357 2015-2017 Deer general seasons and definitions.
Hearing Location(s): Natural Resource[s] Building, 1111 Washington Street S.E., Olympia, WA 98501, on June 10-11, 2016, at 8:15 a.m.
Date of Intended Adoption: On or after June 10, 2016.
Submit Written Comments to: Online http://wdfw.wa.gov/about/regulations/hunting_regulations, Wildlife Program Commission Meeting Public Comments, 600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA 98501-1091, e-mail Wildthing@dfw.wa.gov, fax (360) 902-2162, by June 9, 2016.
Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Tami Lininger by May 27, 2016, TTY (800) 833-6388 or (360) 902-2267.
Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: The purpose of this proposal is to retain general season deer hunting opportunity for 2016. In addition, the purpose of the proposal is to balance the hunting opportunity between user groups. The proposal also increases hunting opportunity when deer populations allow, and reduces the opportunity when declining deer numbers warrant a change. Current proposed changes will reduce antlerless deer hunting opportunity for archery and muzzleloader hunters in several game management units in northeastern Washington.
Reasons Supporting Proposal: This proposal provide[s] recreational deer hunting opportunity and protects deer from overharvest. The proposal continues general deer hunting season opportunities for 2016 in most game management units, but reduces archery and muzzleloader antlerless deer hunting opportunity in several northeastern game management units as a conservative management strategy due to population uncertainty created by a blue tongue disease outbreak in 2015. These changes were not proposed earlier, but ongoing information sharing necessitated additional proposed changes.
Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.
Name of Proponent: Washington department of fish and wildlife, governmental.
Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting and Implementation: Robert Everett, Natural Resources Building, Olympia, (360) 902-2515; and Enforcement: Steven Crown, Natural Resources Building, Olympia, (360) 902-2936.
No small business economic impact statement has been prepared under chapter 19.85 RCW. These rules apply to recreational hunting and do not affect small business.
A cost-benefit analysis is not required under RCW 34.05.328. This proposal does not involve hydraulics.
May 4, 2016
Scott Bird
Rules Coordinator
AMENDATORY SECTION (Amending WSR 15-10-059, filed 4/30/15, effective 5/31/15)
WAC 232-28-357 2015-2017 Deer general seasons and definitions.
It is unlawful to fail to comply with the bag, possession, and season limits described below. Violations of this section are punishable under RCW 77.15.410((,)) Unlawful hunting of big game —Penalty. Bag Limit: One (1) deer per hunter during the license year except where otherwise permitted by department rule.
Hunting Method: Hunters must select one of the hunting methods: Modern firearm, archery, or muzzleloader.
Any Buck Deer Seasons: Open only to the taking of deer with visible antlers (buck fawns illegal).
Antler Point: To qualify as an antler point, the point must be at least one inch long, measured on the longest side.
Antler Restrictions: APPLIES TO ALL HUNTERS DURING ANY GENERAL SEASON AND DESIGNATED SPECIAL PERMIT SEASONS. Buck deer taken in antler restricted game management units (GMUs) must meet minimum antler point requirements. Minimum antler point requirements are antler points on one side only. Eye guards are antler points when they are at least one inch long.
3-point Minimum GMUs: All mule deer in 100, 200, and 300 series GMUs; white-tailed deer in GMUs 127, 130, 133, 136, 139, 142, 145, 149, 154, 162, 163, 166, 169, 172, 175, 178, 181, 186, and black-tailed deer in GMU 578.
Permit-only Units: The following GMUs require a special permit to hunt deer: 157 (Mill Creek Watershed), 290 (Desert), 329 (Quilomene), 371 (Alkali), and 485 (Green River).
GMUs Closed to Deer Hunting: 490 (Cedar River) and 522 (Loo-wit).
Types of deer that a person may legally hunt in Washington:
Black-tailed Deer: Any member of black-tailed/mule deer (species Odocoileus hemionus) found west of a line drawn from the Canadian border south on the Pacific Crest Trail and along the Yakama Indian Reservation boundary in Yakima County to the Klickitat River; south down Klickitat River to the Columbia River.
Mule Deer: Any member of black-tailed/mule deer (species Odocoileus hemionus) found east of a line drawn from the Canadian border south on the Pacific Crest Trail and along the Yakama Indian Reservation boundary in Yakima County to the Klickitat River; south down Klickitat River to the Columbia River.
White-tailed Deer: Any white-tailed deer (member of the species Odocoileus virginianus), except the Columbian whitetail deer (species Odocoileus virginianus leucurus).
MODERN FIREARM DEER SEASONS
License Required: A valid big game hunting license, which includes a deer species option.
Tag Required: A valid modern firearm deer tag for the area hunted.
Hunting Method: Modern firearm deer tag hunters may use rifle, handgun, shotgun, bow, crossbow, or muzzleloader, but only during modern firearm seasons.
| | | | | |
Hunt Season |
2015 Dates |
2016 Dates |
2017 Dates |
Game Management Units (GMUs) |
Legal Deer |
HIGH BUCK HUNTS |
|
Sept. 15-25 |
Sept. 15-25 |
Sept. 15-25 |
Alpine Lakes, Mount Baker, Glacier Peak, Pasayten, Olympic Peninsula, and Henry Jackson Wilderness Areas and Lake Chelan Recreation Area |
3 pt. min. |
GENERAL SEASON |
Western Washington Black-tailed Deer |
Oct. 17-31 |
Oct. 15-31 |
Oct. 14-31 |
407, 418, 426, 437, 448, 450, 454, 460, 466, 501 through 520, 524 through 556, 560, 568, 572, 574, 601 through 621, 624 (except Deer Area 6020), 627 through 654, 658 through 699 |
Any buck |
|
|
|
|
410, 411, 412, 413, 414, 415, 416, 417, 419, 420, 421, 422, 564, 655, Deer Area 6020 |
Any deer |
|
|
|
|
578 |
3 pt. min. |
Eastern Washington White-tailed Deer |
Oct. 17-30 |
Oct. 15-28 |
Oct. 14-27 |
101, 105, 108, 111, 113, 124 |
Any white-tailed buck |
|
Oct. 17-27 |
Oct. 15-25 |
Oct. 14-24 |
203 through 284 |
Any white-tailed buck |
|
Oct. 17-27 |
Oct. 15-25 |
Oct. 14-24 |
127 through 154, 162 through 186 (except Deer Area 1040) |
White-tailed, 3 pt. min. |
|
Oct. 17-27 |
Oct. 15-25 |
Oct. 14-24 |
373, 379, 381 |
Any white-tailed deer |
Eastern Washington White-tailed Deer in GMUs 117 and 121 |
Oct. 17-30 |
Oct. 15-28 |
Oct. 14-27 |
117, 121 |
Any white-tailed buck |
Eastern Washington Mule Deer |
Oct. 17-27 |
Oct. 15-25 |
Oct. 14-24 |
101 through 154, 162 through 169, 172 (except Deer Area 1040), 175 through 186, 203 through 284, 328, 330 through 368, 372, 373, 379, 381, 382, 388 |
Mule deer, 3 pt. min. |
|
|
|
|
|
((Mule deer, 3 pt. min.)) |
LATE GENERAL SEASON |
Western Washington Black-tailed Deer |
Nov. 19-22 |
Nov. 17-20 |
Nov. 16-19 |
407, 454, 466, 501 through 520, 524 through 560, 568, 572, 601 through 621, 624 (except Deer Area 6020), 627 through 654, 658 through 699 |
Any buck |
|
Nov. 19-22 |
Nov. 17-20 |
Nov. 16-19 |
410, 411, 412, 413, 414, 415, 416, 417, 419, 420, 421, 422, 564, 655, Deer Area 6020 |
Any deer |
Eastern Washington White-tailed Deer |
Nov. 7-19 |
Nov. 5-19 |
Nov. 11-19 |
105, 108, 111, 113, 124 |
Any white-tailed buck |
Eastern Washington White-tailed Deer in GMUs 117 and 121 |
Nov. 7-19 |
Nov. 5-19 |
Nov. 11-19 |
117, 121 |
Any white-tailed buck |
HUNTERS 65 AND OVER, DISABLED, OR YOUTH GENERAL SEASONS |
Eastern Washington White-tailed Deer |
Oct. 17-30 |
Oct. 15-28 |
Oct. 14-27 |
((101, 105, 108, 111, 113,)) 124 |
Any white-tailed deer |
|
|
Oct. 20-23 |
Oct. 19-22 |
101, 105, 108, 111, 113, 117, 121 |
Any white-tailed deer |
|
Nov. 7-19 |
Nov. 5-19 |
Nov. 11-19 |
Deer Area 1050 |
Any white-tailed deer |
|
Nov. 7-19 |
Nov. 5-19 |
Nov. 11-19 |
Deer Areas 1060, 1070, 1080 |
White-tailed, antlerless only |
|
Oct. 17-27 |
Oct. 15-25 |
Oct. 14-24 |
127 through 142, 145, 149, 154, Deer Area 1010, and 178 |
White-tailed, 3 pt. min. or antlerless |
((HUNTERS 65 AND OVER AND DISABLED |
Eastern Washington White-tailed Deer |
Oct. 17-30 |
Oct. 15-28 |
Oct. 14-27 |
117, 121 |
Antlerless white-tailed deer |
YOUTH GENERAL SEASONS |
Eastern Washington White-tailed Deer in GMUs 117 and 121 |
Oct. 17-30 |
Oct. 15-28 |
Oct. 14-27 |
117, 121 |
Any white-tailed deer)) |
ARCHERY DEER SEASONS
License Required: A valid big game hunting license, which includes a deer species option.
Tag Required: A valid archery deer tag for the area hunted.
Special Notes: Archery tag holders can only hunt during archery seasons with archery equipment (WAC 232-12-054).
| | | | | |
Hunt Area |
2015 Dates |
2016 Dates |
2017 Dates |
Game Management Units (GMUs) |
Legal Deer |
EARLY ARCHERY GENERAL DEER SEASONS |
Western Washington Black-tailed Deer |
Sept. 1-30 |
Sept. 1-30 |
Sept. 1-29 |
407 through 426, 437, 448, 450, 454, 466, 501, 504, 505, 524, 554, 564, 568, 621 through 636, 648 through 652, 654 through 673, 684 |
Any deer |
|
|
|
|
460, 503, 574, 601 through 618, 638, 642, 653, 681 and 699 |
Any buck |
|
|
|
|
578 |
3 pt. min. |
|
Sept. 1-27 |
Sept. 1-25 |
Sept. 1-24 |
510, 513, 516, 520, 556 |
Any deer |
|
|
|
|
506, 530, 550, 560, 572 |
Any buck |
Eastern Washington Mule Deer |
Sept. 1-30 |
Sept. 1-30 |
Sept. 1-29 |
105 through 121, 166, 169, 172 (except Deer Area 1040), 175, 181, 243, 334 |
3 pt. min. |
|
|
|
|
124 through 142, 145, 149, 186, 244 through 247, 249, 250, 260, 372, 373, 379, 381, 382, 388, Deer Area 3334 |
3 pt. min. or antlerless |
|
Sept. 1-27 |
Sept. 1-25 |
Sept. 1-24 |
154, 162, 163, 178 |
3 pt. min. or antlerless |
|
Sept. 1-27 |
Sept. 1-25 |
Sept. 1-24 |
((162, 163,)) 251, 328, 335, 336, 340, 346, 352, 356, 360, 364, 368 |
3 pt. min. |
|
Sept. 1-15 |
Sept. 1-15 |
Sept. 1-15 |
101, 204 through 242, 248, 254, 262, 266, 269, 272, 278, 284 |
3 pt. min. |
|
Sept. 16-30 |
Sept. 16-30 |
Sept. 16-29 |
101, 204 through 242, 248, 254, 262, 266, 269, 272, 278, 284 |
3 pt. min. or antlerless |
Eastern Washington White-tailed Deer |
Sept. 1-30 |
Sept. 1-30 |
Sept. 1-29 |
101, 105, 108, 111, 113, 117, 121 |
((Any white-tailed deer)) White-tailed, any buck |
Sept. 1-30 |
Sept. 1-30 |
Sept. 1-29 |
124, 204 through 250, 254 through 284, 373, 379, 381 |
Any white-tailed deer |
|
Sept. 1-30 |
Sept. 1-30 |
Sept. 1-29 |
127 through 149, 166, 172 (except Deer Area 1040), 181, 186 |
White-tailed, 3 pt. min. or antlerless |
|
Sept. 1-27 |
Sept. 1-25 |
Sept. 1-24 |
154, 162, 163, 178 |
White-tailed, 3 pt. min. or antlerless |
|
Sept. 1-27 |
Sept. 1-25 |
Sept. 1-24 |
169, 175 |
White-tailed, 3 pt. min. |
((Eastern Washington White-tailed Deer in GMUs 117 and 121 |
Sept. 1-30 |
Sept. 1-30 |
Sept. 1-29 |
117, 121 |
Any white-tailed deer)) |
LATE ARCHERY GENERAL DEER SEASONS |
Western Washington Black-tailed Deer |
Nov. 25 - Dec. 15 |
Nov. 23 - Dec. 15 |
Nov. 22 - Dec. 15 |
437, 466, 510 through 520, 524((, 556)) |
Any deer |
|
Nov. 25 - Dec. 15 |
Nov. 23 - Dec. 15 |
Nov. 22 - Dec. 15 |
448, 460, 506, 530, 560, 572, 601, 603 through 618, 638, 642, 681, and 699 |
Any buck |
|
Nov. 25 - Dec. 31 |
Nov. 23 - Dec. 31 |
Nov. 22 - Dec. 31 |
407, 410, 411, 412, 413, 414, 415, 416, 417, 419, 420, 421, 422, 454, 505, 564, 624, 627, 636, 648, 652, 654, 655, 660 through 672 |
Any deer |
Eastern Washington Mule Deer |
Nov. 21-30 |
Nov. 21-30 |
Nov. 21-30 |
209, 215, 233, 243, 250 |
3 pt. min. |
|
Nov. 25 - Dec. 8 |
Nov. 23 - Dec. 8 |
Nov. 22 - Dec. 8 |
336, 342, 346, 352, 364, 388, Deer Area 3682 |
3 pt. min. |
|
Nov. 20 - Dec. 8 |
Nov. 20 - Dec. 8 |
Nov. 20 - Dec. 8 |
145, 163, 178, 272, 278, 373, Deer Area 3372 |
3 pt. min. or antlerless |
|
Dec. 9-31 |
Dec. 9-31 |
Dec. 9-31 |
Deer Area 1021 |
Antlerless only |
Eastern Washington White-tailed Deer |
Nov. 10 - Dec. 15 |
Nov. 10 - Dec. 15 |
Nov. 10 - Dec. 15 |
101 |
Any white-tailed deer |
|
|
Nov. 21-30 |
Nov. 21-30 |
204, 209 |
Any white-tailed deer |
|
Nov. 25 - Dec. 15 |
Nov. 25 - Dec. 15 |
Nov. 25 - Dec. 15 |
124 |
Any white-tailed deer |
|
Nov. 25 - Dec. 15 |
Nov. 25 - Dec. 15 |
Nov. 25 - Dec. 15 |
127 |
White-tailed, 3 pt. min. or antlerless |
|
Nov. 20 - Dec. 8 |
Nov. 20 - Dec. 8 |
Nov. 20 - Dec. 8 |
145, 163, 178, 272, 278 |
White-tailed, 3 pt. min. or antlerless |
|
Nov. 25 - Dec. 15 |
Nov. 23 - Dec. 15 |
Nov. 22 - Dec. 15 |
((105, 108, 204, 209,)) 215, 233, 243, 373 |
Any white-tailed deer |
|
|
Nov. 23 - Dec. 9 |
Nov. 22 - Dec. 9 |
105, 108, 117, 121 |
White-tailed, any buck |
|
|
Dec. 10-15 |
Nov. 22-15 |
105, 108, 117, 121 |
Any white-tailed deer |
((Eastern Washington White-tailed Deer in GMUs 117 and 121 |
Nov. 25 - Dec. 15 |
Nov. 23 - Dec. 15 |
Nov. 22 - Dec. 15 |
117, 121 |
Any white-tailed deer)) |
MUZZLELOADER DEER SEASONS
License Required: A valid big game hunting license, which includes a deer species option.
Tag Required: A valid muzzleloader deer tag for the area hunted.
Hunting Method: Muzzleloader only.
Special Notes: Muzzleloader tag holders can only hunt during muzzleloader seasons and must hunt with muzzleloader equipment (WAC 232-12-051) or archery equipment (WAC 232-12-054).
| | | | | |
Hunt Area |
2015 Dates |
2016 Dates |
2017 Dates |
Game Management Units (GMUs) |
Legal Deer |
High Buck Hunts |
Sept. 15-25 |
Sept. 15-25 |
Sept. 15-25 |
Alpine Lakes, Glacier Peak, Pasayten, Mount Baker, Olympic Peninsula, and Henry Jackson Wilderness areas, and Lake Chelan Recreation Area |
3 pt. min. |
EARLY MUZZLELOADER GENERAL DEER SEASONS |
Western Washington Black-tailed Deer |
Oct. 3-11 |
Oct. 1-9 |
Sept. 30 - Oct. 8 |
407, 418, 426, 437, 448, 450, 501, 503, 504, 505, 506, 510, 513, 516, 520, 530, 550, 554, ((556,)) 560, 568, 572, 574, 603, 607, 612, 615, 624 (except Deer Area 6020), 636, 638, 642, 648, 660, 663, 672, 673 |
Any buck |
|
|
|
|
410, 411, 412, 413, 414, 415, 416, 417, 419, 420, 421, 422, 454, 564, 627, 652, 655, 666, 684, and Deer Area 6020 |
Any deer |
|
|
|
|
578 |
3 pt. min. |
Eastern Washington White-tailed Deer |
Oct. 3-11 |
Oct. 1-9 |
Sept. 30 - Oct. 8 |
101, 105, 108, 111, 113, 117, 121, 203, 204, 209, 215, 231, 233, 239, 242, 243, 244, 245, 246, 248, 250, 251, 260, 272, 278, 284 |
White-tailed, any buck |
|
|
|
|
((101, 105, 108, 111, 113,)) 124 |
Any white-tailed deer |
|
|
|
|
127, 142, 145, 149 |
White-tailed, 3 pt. min. or antlerless |
|
|
|
|
130, 133, 136, 139, 175, 181, 186 |
White-tailed, 3 pt. min. |
|
|
|
|
373, 379 |
Any white-tailed((,)) deer |
((Eastern Washington White-tailed Deer in GMUs 117 and 121 |
Oct. 3-11 |
Oct. 1-9 |
Sept. 30 - Oct. 8 |
117, 121 |
Any white-tailed deer)) |
Eastern Washington Mule Deer |
Oct. 3-11 |
Oct 1-9 |
Sept. 30 - Oct. 8 |
101 through 149, 175, 181, 186, 203, 204, 209, 215, 231, 233, 239, 242, 243, 244, 245, 246, 248, 250, 251, 254, 260, 262, 266, 269, 272, 278, 284, 328, 330 through 342, 352 through 368, 373, 379 |
Mule deer, 3 pt. min. |
Eastern Washington Mule Deer |
Oct. 3-11 |
Oct. 1-9 |
Sept. 30 - Oct. 8 |
Deer Areas 3334 and 3372 |
3 pt. min. or antlerless |
LATE MUZZLELOADER GENERAL DEER SEASONS |
Western Washington Black-tailed Deer |
Nov. 25 - Dec. 15 |
Nov. 23 - Dec. 15 |
Nov. 22 - Dec. 15 |
407, 410, 411, 412, 413, 414, 415, 416, 417, 419, 420, 421, 422, 454, ((501,)) 504, 564, 633, 666, 684, and Deer Area 6020 |
Any deer |
|
|
|
|
448, 460, ((550)) 501, 602, 621, 651, 654, 658, 667, and 673 |
Any buck |
Eastern Washington White-tailed Deer |
Nov. 25 - Dec. 8 |
Nov. 23 - Dec. 8 |
Nov. 22 - Dec. 8 |
113 |
Any white-tailed buck |
|
Nov. 25 - Dec. 8 |
Nov. 25 - Dec. 8 |
Nov. 25 - Dec. 8 |
130, 133, 136, 139 |
White-tailed, 3 pt. min. or antlerless |
|
Nov. 20 - Dec. 8 |
Nov. 20 - Dec. 8 |
Nov. 20 - Dec. 8 |
172 (except Deer Area 1040), 181 |
White-tailed, 3 pt. min. or antlerless |
|
Nov. 20-30 |
Nov. 20-30 |
Nov. 20-30 |
379, 381 |
Any white-tailed deer |
Eastern Washington Mule Deer |
Nov. 25 - Dec. 8 |
Nov. 25 - Dec. 8 |
Nov. 25 - Dec. 8 |
130 |
Antlerless |
|
Nov. 20-30 |
Nov. 20-30 |
Nov. 20-30 |
381, Deer Area 3372 |
3 pt. min. or antlerless |
|
Nov. 20-30 |
Nov. 20-30 |
Nov. 20-30 |
379, 382 |
3 pt. min. |
|