WSR 98-05-085

PROPOSED RULES

DEPARTMENT OF

FISH AND WILDLIFE

[Filed February 18, 1998, 10:20 a.m.]

Original Notice.

Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 98-01-174.

Title of Rule: To adopt WAC 232-28-280 1998-99 and 1999-2000 Deer general seasons and special permits.

Purpose: To adopt WAC 232-28-280 1998-99 and 1999-2000 Deer general seasons and special permits.

Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 77.12.040.

Statute Being Implemented: RCW 77.12.040.

Summary: The 1998 and 1999 deer general and special permit seasons are proposed to provide hunting opportunity within the biological constraints of the resource. The 1998 and 1999 hunting seasons are rewritten from the 1997-1999 hunting seasons previously adopted and amended to be consistent with hunting pamphlet verbiage. Special hunting seasons and permit quotas are included in this WAC to simplify hunting rules.

Reasons Supporting Proposal: The proposed deer hunting seasons will slightly modify the hunting pamphlet and maintain most hunting opportunities adopted in the 1997-1999 hunting season rules.

Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting and Implementation: Dave Brittell, Assistant Director, Wildlife Management, Olympia, (360) 902-2504; and Enforcement: Ron Swatfigure, Assistant Director, Enforcement, Olympia, (360) 902-2932.

Name of Proponent: Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission, governmental.

Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.

Explanation of Rule, its Purpose, and Anticipated Effects: The proposed rule will describe deer hunting opportunities in Washington state. The purpose is to provide hunting recreation and help prevent damage to agricultural and horticultural crops. The anticipated effect will be to maintain hunting opportunity and provide a more understandable hunting pamphlet.

Proposal Changes the Following Existing Rules: See above.

No small business economic impact statement has been prepared under chapter 19.85 RCW. This rule does not affect small business.

Section 201, chapter 403, Laws of 1995, does not apply to this rule adoption.

Hearing Location: Doubletree Hotel, 1225 North Wenatchee Avenue, Wenatchee, WA 98801, phone (509) 663-0711, on April 3-4, 1998, at 8:00 a.m.

Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Debbie Nelson by March 25, 1998, TDD (360) 902-2207, or (360) 902-2267.

Submit Written Comments to: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Evan Jacoby, 600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA 98501-1091, FAX (360) 902-2940, by March 25, 1998.

Date of Intended Adoption: April 3, 1998.

February 18, 1998

Evan Jacoby

Rules Coordinator

NEW SECTION

WAC 232-28-280 1998-99 and 1999-2000 Deer general seasons and special permits

Bag Limit: One (1) deer per hunter during an annual (July 1-March 31) hunting season. The Fish and Wildlife Commission may authorize two doe permits for damage areas. Any multiple doe permits will be identified by special permit.

Hunting Method: Hunters must select one of the hunting methods (modern firearm, archery, muzzleloader).

Any Buck Deer Seasons: Open only to the taking of male deer with visible antlers (buck fawns illegal).

Branched Antler Restriction GMUs: applies to all hunters during any open season! Buck deer taken in these GMUs must meet minimum antler point requirements. Minimum antler point requirements are antler points on one side only. Antler points include eye guards but all antler points must be at least one inch long. The following GMUs have 2 or 3 point minimum requirements on buck deer taken.

2 Point GMUs: 437, 478, 558, 574, 636, 681, and GMU 485 (by permit only).

3 Point GMUs: All Mule Deer in eastern Washington (see definition of eastern Washington); Whitetail Deer in GMUs 127, 130, 133, 136, 139, 142, 145, 149, 154, 162, 163, 166, 169, 172, 175, 178, 181, 186, 203, and 231.

Permit Only Units: The following GMUs are closed during general seasons: 242 (Alta), 290 (Desert), 329 (Quilomene), 330 (West Bar), 342 (Umtanum), 371 (Alkali), and 485 (Green River).

GMUs Closed to Deer Hunting: 157 (Mill Creek Watershed) and 522 (Loo-wit).

Blacktail Deer: Any member of blacktail/mule deer (species Odocoileus hemionus) found in western Washington.

Mule Deer: Any member of blacktail/mule deer (species Odocoileus hemionus) found in eastern Washington.

Harvest Report Card: Successful hunters must fill out and return a Game Harvest Report Card within 10 days after taking a deer.

Modern Firearm Deer Seasons

License Required: Hunting license.

Tag Required: Valid modern firearm deer tag on his/her person for the area hunted.

Hunting Method: Modern firearm deer tag hunters may use rifle, handgun, shotgun, bow or muzzleloader, but only during modern firearm seasons.

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Archery Deer Seasons

License Required: Hunting license.

Tag Required: Valid archery deer tag on his/her person for the area hunted.

Special Notes: Archery tag holders can only hunt with archery equipment during archery seasons.

Muzzleloader Deer Seasons

License Required: Hunting license.

Tag Required: Valid muzzleloader deer tag on his/her person for the area hunted.

Hunting Method: Muzzleloader only.

Special Notes: Muzzleloader tag holders can only hunt during muzzleloader seasons and must hunt with muzzleloader equipment. Muzzleloader deer tag holders may apply for all either sex, antlerless only, and branched antler deer special hunting permits except on Private Lands Wildlife Management Area 201.

Firearm Restricted Deer Hunts Open To All Deer Hunters

License Required: Hunting license.

Tag Required: Valid modern firearm, archery or muzzleloader deer tag on his/her person for the area hunted.

Hunting Method: Must use weapon in compliance with tag. Firearm restrictions apply in some GMUs.

Special Deer Permit Hunting Seasons

(Open to Permit Holders Only)

Hunters must purchase a hunting license and deer tag prior to purchase of a permit application.

Hunt Permit Special Boundary 1998

Name Season Restrictions Description Permits

Modern Firearm Deer Permit Hunts (Only modern firearm and muzzleloader deer tag holders may apply)

Sherman Oct. 17-30 Whitetail, Antlerless Only GMU 101 50

Kelly Hill Oct. 17-30 Whitetail, Antlerless Only GMU 105 100

Threeforks Oct. 17-30 Whitetail, Antlerless Only GMU 109 250

Selkirk Oct. 17-30 Whitetail, Antlerless Only GMU 113 30

49 Degrees North Oct. 17-30 Whitetail, Antlerless Only GMU 117 150

Huckleberry Oct. 17-30 Whitetail, Antlerless Only GMU 121 300

Mt. Spokane Oct. 17-30 Whitetail, Antlerless Only GMU 124 600

Mica Peak Oct. 17-30 Whitetail, Antlerless Only GMU 127 160

Cheney Oct. 17-30 Antlerless Only GMU 130 150

Roosevelt Oct. 17-30 Antlerless Only GMU 133 375

Harrington Oct. 17-30 Antlerless Only GMU 136 125

Steptoe Oct. 17-30 Antlerless Only GMU 139 200

Almota Oct. 17-30 Antlerless Only GMU 142 225

Mayview Oct. 17-30 Antlerless Only GMU 145 250

Prescott A Nov. 9-17 Antlerless Only GMU 149 250

Blue Creek Nov. 9-17 Whitetail, Antlerless Only GMU 154 150

Dayton Nov. 9-17 Whitetail, Antlerless Only GMU 162 100

Marengo A Nov. 9-17 Whitetail, Antlerless Only GMU 163 125

Marengo B Nov. 9-17 Antlerless Only GMU 163 150

Peola Nov. 9-17 Antlerless Only GMU 178 50

Blue Mtns.Foothills A Nov. 9-23 Whitetail, 3 Pt. Min. or GMUs 149, 100

Antlerless 154, 162-166

Blue Mtns.Foothills B Nov. 9-23 Whitetail, 3 Pt. Min. or GMUs 145, 75

Antlerless 172-181

East Okanogan Nov. 1-15 Any Whitetail GMU 204 150

West Okanogan Nov. 1-15 Any Whitetail GMUs 209, 200

218-239

Sinlahekin Nov. 1-15 Any Whitetail GMU 215 50

Alta Nov. 7-22 3 Pt. Min. GMU 242 46

Desert A Nov. 7-22 3 Pt. Min. GMU 290 9

Quilomene A Nov. 7-22 3 Pt. Min. GMU 329, 330 55

Umtanum A Nov. 7-22 3 Pt. Min. GMU 342 59

Alkali Nov. 7-22 3-Pt. Min. GMU 371 59

Green River A Oct. 10-16 Any Buck GMU 485 15

Green River B Oct. 10-16 Antlerless Only GMU 485 15

Lincoln Oct. 17-30 Any Deer GMU 501 175

Stella Oct. 17-30 Any Deer GMU 504* 75

Mossyrock Oct. 17-30 Any Deer GMU 505 150

Willapa Hills Oct. 17-30 Any Deer GMU 506 85

Stormking Oct. 17-30 Any Deer GMU 510 75

South Rainier Oct. 17-30 Any Deer GMU 513 75

Packwood Oct. 17-30 Any Deer GMU 516 100

Winston Oct. 17-30 Any Deer GMU 520 100

Ryderwood Oct. 17-30 Any Deer GMU 530 85

Coweeman Oct. 17-30 Any Deer GMU 550 175

Yale Oct. 17-30 Any Deer GMU 554* 50

Marble Oct. 17-30 2 Pt. Min. or Antlerless GMU 558 75

Lewis River Oct. 17-30 Any Deer GMU 560 100

Washougal Oct. 17-30 Any Deer GMU 568 35

Siouxon Oct. 17-30 Any Deer GMU 572 100

West Klickitat Oct. 17-30 2 Pt. Min. or Antlerless GMU 578 25

East Klickitat Oct. 17-30 2 Pt. Min. or Antlerless GMU 582 25

Grayback Oct. 17-30 2 Pt. Min. or Antlerless GMU 588 25

Pysht Oct. 17-30 Any Deer GMU 603 30

Olympic Oct. 17-30 Any Deer GMU 621 40

Coyle Oct. 17-30 Any Deer GMU 624 40

Kitsap Oct. 17-30 Any Deer GMU 627 20

Mason Lake Oct. 17-30 Any Deer GMU 633 60

Skokomish Oct. 17-30 2 Pt. Min. or Antlerless GMU 636 80

Wynoochee Oct. 17-30 Any Deer GMU 648 75

Satsop Oct. 17-30 Any Deer GMU 651 150

North River Oct. 17-30 Any Deer GMU 658 40

Minot Peak Oct. 17-30 Any Deer GMU 660 100

Capitol Peak Oct. 17-30 Any Deer GMU 663 100

Fall River Oct. 17-30 Any Deer GMU 672 90

Williams Creek Oct. 17-30 Any Deer GMU 673 50

Deschutes Oct. 17-30 Any Deer GMU 666 80

Skookumchuck A Oct. 17-30 Any Deer GMU 667 100

*Firearm Restriction Areas - Muzzleloader or archery equipment only.

Muzzleloader Only Deer Permit Hunts (Only muzzleloader tag holders may apply.)

Colville Oct. 10-16 Antlerless Only GMUs 109, 117 50

Alta B Oct. 10-16 3 Pt. Min. GMU 242 50

Moses Coulee Dec. 1-31 Antlerless Only GMU 269 25

Desert B Oct. 10-16 3 Pt. Min. GMU 290 2

Quilomene B Oct. 1-10 3 Pt. Min. GMUs 329, 330 21

Umtanum B Oct. 1-10 3 Pt. Min. GMU 342 21

Alkali Oct. 1-10 3-Pt. Min. GMU 371 39

Satsop Oct. 1-10 Any Deer GMU 651 50

Archery Only Buck Permit Hunts (Only archery deer tag holders may apply.)

Alta C Sept. 1-30 3 Pt. Min. GMU 242 32

Desert C Sept. 1-15 3 Pt. Min. GMU 290 13

Quilomene C Sept. 1-15 3 Pt. Min. GMUs 329, 330 86

Umtanum C Sept. 1-15 3 Pt. Min. GMU 342 86

Alkali C Sept. 1-15 3-Pt. Min. GMU 371 155

Advanced Hunter Education (AHE) Graduate Special Deer Permit Hunts (Only AHE graduates may apply.)

Cheney/Roosevelt Dec. 1-7 Antlerless Only GMUs 130, 133 75

Mt. Adams Oct. 1-10 2-Pt. Min. or Elk Area 059,

Antlerless GMU 560 10

Skookumchuck Oct. 17-30 Any Deer GMU 667 10

Persons of Disability Special Deer Permit Hunts (Only Persons of Disability may apply.)

Blue Mtns. Foothills C Nov. 9-24 Whitetail, 3-Pt. Min. or GMUs 149,

Antlerless 154, 162-166 10

Green River C Oct. 11-17 Antlerless Only GMU 485 5

Margaret Oct. 17-Nov. 1 Antlerless Only GMU 524 25

Trout Creek Hill Oct. 17-31 Any Deer GMU 572 3

Gobbler's Knob Oct. 17-31 2-Pt. Min. or Antlerless GMU 574 2

Eleven Mile Ridge Oct. 17-31 Any Deer GMU 572 2

Red Mountain Oct. 17-31 Any Deer GMU 572 2

Paradise Ridge Oct. 17-31 Any Deer GMU 572 2

Proverbial Creek Oct. 17-31 Any Deer GMU 572 2

Lone Butte Oct. 17-31 Any Deer GMU 560 3

Skookumchuck B Oct. 17-Nov. 1 Any Deer GMU 667 15

Bear River Oct. 17-Nov. 1 2-Pt. Min. or Antlerless GMU 681 20

Senior Special Deer Permit Hunts (Must be 65 or older on opening day of the permit season to apply.)

Walla Walla Oct. 17-25 3-Pt. Min or Antlerless GMUs 149-163 75

Youth Special Deer Permit Hunts (Must be 16 or younger on opening day of permit season & accompanied by adult during the hunt.)

Blue Mtns. Foothills D Oct. 17-25 3-Pt. Min. or Antlerless GMUs 149, 154, 100

162-166

Blue Mtns. Foothills E Oct. 17-25 3-Pt. Min. or Antlerless GMUs 145, 75

172-181

Big Bend C Oct. 17-25 3-Pt. Min. or Antlerless GMU 248 25

Toutle Oct. 17-Nov. 1 Any Deer GMU 556 100

Wind River Oct. 17-Nov. 1 2-Pt. Min. or Antlerless GMU 574 75

Satsop Oct. 11-Nov. 1 Any Deer GMU 651 10

Skookumchuck C Oct. 11-Nov. 1 Any Deer GMU 667 60

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