SENATE BILL REPORT

                                    SB 6221

                      AS PASSED SENATE, FEBRUARY 17, 1992

Brief Description:  Regulating the harvest of western Washington pheasants.

SPONSORS: Senators Oke, Snyder, Bailey, Erwin and Bauer

SENATE COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENT & NATURAL RESOURCES

Majority Report:  Do pass. 

      Signed by Senators Oke, Vice Chairman; Barr, Owen, Sellar, Snyder, and Sutherland.

Staff:  Ross Antipa (786‑7413)

Hearing Dates: February 4, 1992

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON FISHERIES & WILDLIFE

BACKGROUND:

The western Washington pheasant hunter is currently required to obtain a $35 permit in order to hunt pheasants.  A hunter may hunt the entire season with one pheasant permit, regardless of number of pheasants taken.

If hunters were required to purchase an additional pheasant permit for every ten pheasants taken, more revenue would be generated to offset program costs.

SUMMARY:

A full season western Washington pheasant permit is valid for a maximum of ten pheasants.  A juvenile pheasant permit is valid for a maximum of five pheasants.  A two-day permit is valid for a maximum of four pheasants.  Additional pheasant permits may be purchased.  Numbered spaces are provided on the permits and hunters are required to record pheasants as they are harvested.

Early season permits and late season permits are repealed.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  yes

Fiscal Note:  requested January 24, 1992

Effective Date:  January 1, 1993

TESTIMONY FOR:

Increased revenue should be collected in order to continue the pheasant farm program.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:

Increased fees may discourage participation of pheasant hunters.

TESTIFIED:  Senator Oke, prime sponsor (pro); Bob Webb, Pheasants Forever (pro); Pam Madson, Department of Wildlife (pro)

HOUSE AMENDMENT(S):

The statutory daily limit on pheasants is removed.