H-798                _______________________________________________

                                                   HOUSE BILL NO. 1426

                        _______________________________________________

State of Washington                               51st Legislature                              1989 Regular Session

By Representatives Winsley, R. King and P. King

Read first time 1/25/89 and referred to Committee on Fisheries & Wildlife.

AN ACT Relating to the hound stamp; amending RCW 77.32.350; adding a new section to chapter 77.32 RCW; and creating a new section.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.     During the upland bird hunting season some hunters using dogs find an opportunity to take rabbits.  Under the existing law the hunter taking rabbits incidentally to upland birds must purchase both an upland game bird stamp and a hound stamp.  This places an unfair burden upon the bird hunter.  The use of the hound stamp should not extend to those individuals taking rabbits and hares incidental to hunting game birds.

        Sec. 2.  Section 105, chapter 506, Laws of 1987 and RCW 77.32.350 are each amended to read as follows:

          (1) A hound stamp is required to hunt wild animals, except rabbits and hares, with a dog.  The fee for this stamp is ten dollars.

          (2) An upland game bird stamp is required to hunt for quail, partridge, and pheasant in areas designated by rule of the commission.  The fee for this stamp is eight dollars.

          (3) A falconry license is required to possess or hunt with a falcon, including seasons established exclusively for hunting in that manner.  The fee for this license is thirty dollars.

           (4) To be valid, stamps required under this section shall be permanently affixed to the licensee's appropriate hunting or fishing license.

          (5) A migratory waterfowl stamp is required for all persons sixteen years of age or older to hunt migratory waterfowl.  The fee for the stamp is five dollars.

          (6) The migratory waterfowl stamp shall be validated by the signature of the licensee written across the face of the stamp.

           (7) Stamps required by this section expire on March 31st following the date of issuance except for hound stamps, which expire December 31st following the date of issuance.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3.  A new section is added to chapter 77.32 RCW to read as follows:

          Within one hundred twenty days of the effective date of this act the wildlife commission shall adopt rules allowing hunters possessing an upland game bird stamp to incidentally take rabbits and hares without obtaining a hound stamp.