This section applies to any person participating in a director-authorized black bear timber depredation hunt pursuant to RCW 77.12.240 or 77.15.245.

(1) Definitions: As used in this section and in the context of bear depredation removals for damage to timberlands, the following definitions apply:

(a) "Damage to timberlands" means there is evidence that bears have damaged private commercial timber that is confirmed through criteria outlined by the department.

(b) "Removal" means the act of killing one or more bear.

(2) Black bear removal criteria:

(a) A landowner or the landowner's designee may submit a request for removal to the department following the procedures established by the department.

(b) Areas permitted for black bear timber depredation action must have confirmed bear caused timber damage as defined in criteria developed by the department.

(c) The department will verify reported damage.

(d) The department will consider forest management objectives and shall ensure bear removals are consistent with population management objectives.

(3) Hunter selection:

(a) Landowners or the landowner's designee may only select hunters authorized by the department to participate in a black bear timber depredation removal effort on their property.

(b) The landowner or the landowner's designee and the hunters participating in the removal will be identified as permittees on permits issued for bear removal.

(4) Permit required for participation in bear removal:

(a) If approved for a bear removal action, the department will issue a permit for bear removal. The approved selected hunter(s) must be in possession of the bear timber depredation permit while conducting the removal.

(b) Only hunters whose names appear on the permit may participate in the black bear timber depredation removal.

(5) General requirements:

(a) Removals must be reported within twenty-four hours of take as prescribed in the black bear depredation permit.

(b) All harvested bears must be disposed of as conditioned on the permit.

(c) Within seven days after harvest, the permittee must submit all animals, parts of animals and all permit materials as prescribed in the black bear timber depredation permit. If a bear is not harvested under the bear depredation permit and the permit expires, the permittees must return all permit materials to the department within seven days of expiration. Failure to comply with this subsection may render the permittee(s) ineligible for the next year's black bear depredation permit as determined by the department.

(d) The black bear timber depredation permit belongs to the state of Washington. A violation of any condition of the permit may result in revocation of the permit and may render the permittee(s) ineligible for future black bear timber depredation permits as determined by the department.

(e) A violation of subsection (4) or (5) of this section is punishable under RCW 77.15.245, 77.15.410, or 77.15.750, depending on the circumstances of the violation.