WSR 20-11-020
PERMANENT RULES
DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND WILDLIFE
[Order 20-67—Filed May 12, 2020, 3:13 p.m., effective June 12, 2020]
Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing.
Purpose: Within the context of the Washington department of fish and wildlife's (WDFW) mandate to preserve, protect, and perpetuate wildlife and provide hunting opportunity for game species, which includes cougar, these rules set the cougar hunting seasons and regulations, including harvest guidelines. These rules have been modified with the intent of providing additional cougar harvest opportunity by extending the cougar hunting seasons in areas where harvest has been historically high and where cougar human conflict is also high while continuing to ensure the long-term sustainability of cougar populations on the landscape.
Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 220-415-100.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 77.04.012, 77.04.013, 77.04.020, and 77.04.055.
Adopted under notice filed as WSR 20-04-091 [20-07-016] on February 5, 2020 [March 5, 2020].
Changes Other than Editing from Proposed to Adopted Version: WAC 220-415-100 Cougar hunting seasons and regulations, the rule changes associated with cougar hunting seasons and weapons that could be used to hunt cougars, there are no changes between the proposed rule and adopted rule. However, in the proposed rule, WDFW had included a table with four options for cougar harvest guidelines listed by game management unit. With the adoption of the fourth option by the fish and wildlife commission, the adopted rule includes a modified table with the harvest guidelines listed by game management unit that were associated with option 4 in the proposed rule.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 0, Amended 1, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: April 10, 2020.
Larry Carpenter, Chair
Washington Department of
Fish and Wildlife Commission
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 18-11-061, filed 5/11/18, effective 6/11/18)
WAC 220-415-100((2018-2019 and 2019-2020)) 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) Early general cougar season is September 1 to December 31, late general cougar season is January 1 to April 30 of the following year. Hunters can use any legal weapon to hunt cougars.
((Season dates and))Harvest guidelines ((for each season)):
((Hunt Area
Harvest Guideline
Early Hunting
Season
Late Hunting
Season
Legal Weapon
GMU 101
7-9
Sept. 1 - Dec. 31
Jan. 1 - Apr. 30
Any Legal Weapon
GMU 105
2
Sept. 1 - Dec. 31
Jan. 1 - Apr. 30
Any Legal Weapon
GMUs 108, 111
5-6
Sept. 1 - Dec. 31
Jan. 1 - Apr. 30
Any Legal Weapon
GMU 113
5-6
Sept. 1 - Dec. 31
Jan. 1 - Apr. 30
Any Legal Weapon
GMU 117
6-8
Sept. 1 - Dec. 31
Jan. 1 - Apr. 30
Any Legal Weapon
GMU 121
5-6
Sept. 1 - Dec. 31
Jan. 1 - Apr. 30
Any Legal Weapon
GMUs 124, 127, 130
7-9
Sept. 1 - Dec. 31
Jan. 1 - Apr. 30
Any Legal Weapon
GMUs 133, 136, 139, 142, 248, 254, 260, 262, 266, 269, 272, 278, 284, 290, 330, 334, 371, 372, 373, 379, 381
None
Sept. 1 - Dec. 31
Jan. 1 - Apr. 30
Any Legal Weapon
GMUs 149, 154, 162, 163
4-5
Sept. 1 - Dec. 31
Jan. 1 - Apr. 30
Any Legal Weapon
GMUs 145, 166, 175, 178
3-4
Sept. 1 - Dec. 31
Jan. 1 - Apr. 30
Any Legal Weapon
GMUs 169, 172, 181, 186
3
Sept. 1 - Dec. 31
Jan. 1 - Apr. 30
Any Legal Weapon
GMU 203
5
Sept. 1 - Dec. 31
Jan. 1 - Apr. 30
Any Legal Weapon
GMU 204
6-8
Sept. 1 - Dec. 31
Jan. 1 - Apr. 30
Any Legal Weapon
GMUs 209, 215
4
Sept. 1 - Dec. 31
Jan. 1 - Apr. 30
Any Legal Weapon
GMUs 218, 231
5-6
Sept. 1 - Dec. 31
Jan. 1 - Apr. 30
Any Legal Weapon
GMU 224
2
Sept. 1 - Dec. 31
Jan. 1 - Apr. 30
Any Legal Weapon
GMUs 233, 239
4
Sept. 1 - Dec. 31
Jan. 1 - Apr. 30
Any Legal Weapon
GMUs 242, 243
5-6
Sept. 1 - Dec. 31
Jan. 1 - Apr. 30
Any Legal Weapon
GMUs 244, 246, 247
5-6
Sept. 1 - Dec. 31
Jan. 1 - Apr. 30
Any Legal Weapon
GMUs 245, 250
5-6
Sept. 1 - Dec. 31
Jan. 1 - Apr. 30
Any Legal Weapon
GMUs 249, 251
5-6
Sept. 1 - Dec. 31
Jan. 1 - Apr. 30
Any Legal Weapon
GMUs 328, 329, 335
6-7
Sept. 1 - Dec. 31
Jan. 1 - Apr. 30
Any Legal Weapon
GMUs 336, 340, 342, 346
5-6
Sept. 1 - Dec. 31
Jan. 1 - Apr. 30
Any Legal Weapon
GMUs 352, 356, 360, 364, 368
5-6
Sept. 1 - Dec. 31
Jan. 1 - Apr. 30
Any Legal Weapon
GMUs 382, 388
3-4
Sept. 1 - Dec. 31
Jan. 1 - Apr. 30
Any Legal Weapon
GMU 407
None
Sept. 1 - Dec. 31
Jan. 1 - Apr. 30
Any Legal Weapon
GMUs 418, 426, 437
11-15
Sept. 1 - Dec. 31
Jan. 1 - Apr. 30
Any Legal Weapon
GMUs 448, 450
10-13
Sept. 1 - Dec. 31
Jan. 1 - Apr. 30
Any Legal Weapon
GMU 454
None
Sept. 1 - Dec. 31
Jan. 1 - Apr. 30
Any Legal Weapon
GMU 460
5-6
Sept. 1 - Dec. 31
Jan. 1 - Apr. 30
Any Legal Weapon
GMUs 466, 485, 490
3
Sept. 1 - Dec. 31
Jan. 1 - Apr. 30
Any Legal Weapon
GMUs 501, 504, 506, 530
8-10
Sept. 1 - Dec. 31
Jan. 1 - Apr. 30
Any Legal Weapon
GMUs 503, 505, 520, 550
6-8
Sept. 1 - Dec. 31
Jan. 1 - Apr. 30
Any Legal Weapon
GMUs 510, 513
3-4
Sept. 1 - Dec. 31
Jan. 1 - Apr. 30
Any Legal Weapon
GMU 516
4
Sept. 1 - Dec. 31
Jan. 1 - Apr. 30
Any Legal Weapon
GMUs 524, 554, 556
3
Sept. 1 - Dec. 31
Jan. 1 - Apr. 30
Any Legal Weapon
GMU 560
5-6
Sept. 1 - Dec. 31
Jan. 1 - Apr. 30
Any Legal Weapon
GMU 564
1
Sept. 1 - Dec. 31
Jan. 1 - Apr. 30
Any Legal Weapon
GMU 568
2
Sept. 1 - Dec. 31
Jan. 1 - Apr. 30
Any Legal Weapon
GMU 572
3
Sept. 1 - Dec. 31
Jan. 1 - Apr. 30
Any Legal Weapon
GMUs 574, 578
4
Sept. 1 - Dec. 31
Jan. 1 - Apr. 30
Any Legal Weapon
GMUs 601, 602, 603, 612
5-7
Sept. 1 - Dec. 31
Jan. 1 - Apr. 30
Any Legal Weapon
GMUs 607, 615
4
Sept. 1 - Dec. 31
Jan. 1 - Apr. 30
Any Legal Weapon
GMUs 618, 636, 638
4-5
Sept. 1 - Dec. 31
Jan. 1 - Apr. 30
Any Legal Weapon
GMUs 621, 624, 627, 633
None
Sept. 1 - Dec. 31
Jan. 1 - Apr. 30
Any Legal Weapon
GMUs 642, 648, 651
6-8
Sept. 1 - Dec. 31
Jan. 1 - Apr. 30
Any Legal Weapon
GMUs 652, 666
None
Sept. 1 - Dec. 31
Jan. 1 - Apr. 30
Any Legal Weapon
GMUs 653, 654
5
Sept. 1 - Dec. 31
Jan. 1 - Apr. 30
Any Legal Weapon
GMUs 658, 660, 663, 672, 673, 681, 684, 699
9-12
Sept. 1 - Dec. 31
Jan. 1 - Apr. 30
Any Legal Weapon
GMU 667
3-4
Sept. 1 - Dec. 31
Jan. 1 - Apr. 30
Any Legal Weapon))
(Implied density in parentheses)
Hunt Area
Harvest Guideline
GMU 101
7-11 (2.6)
GMU 105
4 (3.72)
GMUs 108, 111
9-11 (3.63)
GMU 113
4-5 (1.91)
GMU 117
11-13 (3.57)
GMU 121
9-11 (3.65)*
GMUs 124, 127, 130
7-9 (2.15)
GMUs 133, 136, 139, 142, 248, 254, 260, 262, 266, 269, 272, 278, 284, 290, 330, 334, 371, 372, 373, 379, 381
None
GMUs 149, 154, 162, 163
7-9 (3.56)*
GMUs 145, 166, 175, 178
6-7 (3.51)
GMUs 169, 172, 181, 186
5-6 (3.68)
GMU 203
4-5 (1.91)
GMU 204
6-8 (2.17)
GMUs 209, 215
3-4 (1.91)
GMUs 218, 231
4-5 (1.91)
GMU 224
2 (1.91)
GMUs 233, 239
4-5 (2.42)
GMUs 242, 243
5-6 (2.28)
GMUs 244, 246, 247
4-6 (1.91)
GMUs 245, 250
4-6 (1.91)
GMUs 249, 251
4-6 (1.91)
GMUs 328, 329, 335
8-10 (2.79)
GMUs 336, 340, 342, 346
9-11 (3.61)
GMUs 352, 356, 360, 364, 368
7-9 (2.9)
GMUs 382, 388
3 (1.91)
GMU 407
None
GMUs 418, 426, 437
10-13 (1.91)
GMUs 448, 450
8-11 (1.91)
GMU 454
None
GMU 460
4-6 (1.91)
GMUs 466, 485, 490
2-3 (1.91)
GMUs 501, 504, 506, 530
6-9 (1.91)
GMUs 503, 505, 520, 550
5-7 (1.91)
GMUs 510, 513
3 (1.91)
GMU 516
3-4 (1.91)
GMUs 524, 554, 556
3 (1.91)
GMU 560
4-5 (1.91)
GMU 564
1 (1.91)
GMU 568
3 (2.74)
GMU 572
2-3 (1.91)
GMUs 574, 578
5-6 (2.82)
GMUs 601, 602, 603, 612
4-6 (1.91)
GMUs 607, 615
3-4 (1.91)
GMUs 618, 636, 638
3-5 (1.91)
GMUs 621, 624, 627, 633
None
GMUs 642, 648, 651
6-8 (2.18)
GMUs 652, 666
None
GMUs 653, 654
4-5 (1.91)
GMUs 658, 660, 663, 672, 673, 681, 684, 699
8-11 (1.91)
GMU 667
6-7 (3.48)
* Adjusted to stay within realistic density.
(a) In hunt areas with a harvest guideline, the cougar late hunting season may close on or 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 department has notified licensed cougar hunters by posting the hunt area closure on the department's website and on the toll-free cougar hunting hotline, or April 30th, whichever occurs first.
(3) Harvest guideline system:
(a) All cougar of the appropriate age class killed by licensed hunters during the early and late hunting seasons, ((and seasons authorized under WAC 220-440-030)) 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 website.
(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 220-440-030. 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 220-440-030).
(d) Any person who takes a cougar must comply with the notification and sealing requirements in WAC 220-400-050.
(e) A special cougar permit is required to hunt cougar in GMU 485.