HOUSE BILL REPORT

SHB 1426

BYHouse Committee on Fisheries & Wildlife (originally sponsored by Representatives Winsley, R. King and P. King) 

Relating to the hound stamp.

House Committe on Fisheries & Wildlife

Majority Report:  The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.  (11)

      Signed by Representatives R. King, Chair; Morris, Vice Chair; S. Wilson, Ranking Republican Member; Basich, Bowman, Brooks, Cole, Haugen, Smith, Spanel and Vekich.

House Staff:Robert Butts (786-7841)

AS PASSED HOUSE MARCH 8, 1989

BACKGROUND:

To hunt wild animals with a dog, one must have a valid hunting license and hound stamp issued by the Department of Wildlife. Dogs often are used by hunters when hunting bears, cougar, lynx, and bobcats.

Dogs also are used when hunting upland birds, but a separate hound permit is not required.  However, if an incidental rabbit or a hare is killed during the bird hunt, a hound stamp is needed.

SUMMARY:

When hunting rabbits and hares with a dog, the hunter is not required to have a hound stamp.

Fiscal Note:      Requested February 7, 1989.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Jim King, Washington State Hound Council; Rocky Beach, Department of Wildlife.

House Committee - Testified Against:      None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:    When the hound stamp requirement was adopted, it was not intended to cover the hunting of rabbits and hares.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None Presented.