SENATE BILL REPORT

                  SHB 1354

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

               Natural Resources, March 31, 1995

Title:  An act relating to hound permits.

Brief Description:  Allowing only Washington residents to purchase hound permits.

Sponsors:  House Committee on Natural Resources (originally sponsored by Representatives Fuhrman, Basich, Cairnes and McMorris).

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Natural Resources:  3/24/95, 3/31/95 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES

Majority Report:  Do pass.

  Signed by Senators Drew, Chair; Spanel, Vice Chair; A. Anderson, Hargrove, Haugen, Morton, Oke, Owen, Snyder, Strannigan and Swecker.

Staff:  Ross Antipa (786-7413)

Background:  In Washington, hunters who hunt with hounds must buy a hound permit in addition to a basic hunting license.  Both residents and nonresidents pay a fee of $12 for a hound permit, and there are no limits on the number of hound permits that may be sold.  Hunting regulations for various game animals provide for "pursuit only" hound hunting opportunities, where the game animal may be pursued but not killed or injured.  For example, there are pursuit only seasons for black bear and cougar.

With regard to black bear, a hunter must have a transport tag to hunt bear whether hunting with hounds or by other means.  However, a bear tag is not required to pursue black bear during the pursuit-only season.

With regard to neighboring states, Idaho offers a maximum of 55 nonresident hound permits.  As a result of a recent ballot measure in Oregon, hound hunting of some game animals is no longer permitted there.

Summary of Bill:  The state Fish and Wildlife Commission may set pursuit-only seasons in which only Washington residents may participate.  The number of bear transport tags that the commission issues to nonresidents is not to exceed 10 percent of the bear tags issued to residents two years prior.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not Requested.

Effective Date of Bill:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  Nonresident hunters are showing more interest in Washington hound hunting due to restrictions in other states.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Cyreis Schmitt, Dept. of Fish and Wildlife.