HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  SB 6221

             As Reported By House Committee on:

                    Fisheries & Wildlife

Title:  An act relating to western Washington pheasant hunting.

Brief Description:  Regulating the harvest of western Washington pheasants.

Sponsor(s):  Senators Oke, Snyder, Bailey, Erwin and Bauer.

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

Fisheries & Wildlife, February 27, 1992, DPA.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON

FISHERIES & WILDLIFE

Majority Report: Do pass as amended.  Signed by 9 members:  Representatives R. King, Chair; Morris, Vice Chair; Wilson, Ranking Minority Member; Fuhrman, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Basich; G. Cole; Hochstatter; Padden; and Spanel.

Staff:  Keitlyn Watson (786-7310).

Background:  Pheasants reproduce naturally on the east side of Washington, given adequate habitat.  On the west side, hunting opportunities are provided for by releases from game farms, since pheasants do not sufficiently reproduce in wetter climates to support a harvestable population.  In eastern Washington, a $10 upland bird permit is required to hunt pheasant, quail, and partridge.  A western Washington upland game bird permit is required to hunt for quail, partridge, and pheasant in western Washington.  The fee is $35 for a full-season option, and, effective January 1, 1992, $25 for an early or late season option, and $20 for a juvenile full-season or two-day option.  Any number of birds may be harvested within the season.  The 1992 season is October 3 through November 30.

Summary of Amended Bill:  Western Washington upland game bird permits must contain numbered spaces for recording the location and date of harvest of each western Washington pheasant.  It is unlawful not to record this information.

The season options for western Washington upland game bird permits are removed, effective January 1, 1993.  A full‑season permit is valid for 10 pheasants, a juvenile full‑season permit is valid for six pheasants, and a two‑day permit is valid for four pheasants.

Amended Bill Compared to Original Bill:  The amendment removes the maximum limit of two birds per day.

Fiscal Note:  Available on original bill.

Effective Date of Amended Bill:  The bill takes effect January 1, 1993.

Testimony For:  This will double the revenue coming into the Department of Wildlife from this program, and will allow maintenance of the essential pheasant farming program.

Testimony Against:  None.

Witnesses:  Senator Bob Oke, prime sponsor.