PROPOSED RULES
FISH AND WILDLIFE
Original Notice.
Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 00-01-142.
Purpose: To amend WAC 232-12-054 Bow and arrow requirements.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 77.12.040.
Statute Being Implemented: RCW 77.12.040.
Summary: The proposed changes incorporate the archery industry recommended arrow weight of 6 grains per pound (of draw weight) as the required minimum standard, establishes that arrow length must be a minimum of eighteen inches and allows the director to authorize by permit cross bow hunting for persons of disability.
Reasons Supporting Proposal: The current arrow weight requirements are more restrictive than the archery industry standards. The proposed changes apply the industry standard.
The proposed minimum arrow length maintains the concept of primitive hunting for archers.
Disabled hunters have requested authorization to hunt during archery seasons with a crossbow. The proposed changes allow the director to issue permits for such hunting opportunities.
Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting and Implementation: Dave Brittell, Assistant Director, Wildlife Program, Olympia, (360) 902-2504; and Enforcement: Bruce Bjork, Assistant Director, Enforcement, Olympia, (360) 902-2932.
Name of Proponent: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, governmental.
Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.
Explanation of Rule, its Purpose, and Anticipated Effects: The proposed rule changes will eliminate discrepancies between agency requirements and industry standards for selecting appropriate weight hunting arrows.
Establishes a minimum length of eighteen inches for arrows. The proposed minimum arrow length maintains the concept of primitive equipment for archers.
The use of crossbows will make it easier for disabled hunters to take an animal.
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. This rule is not related to the hydraulics code.
Hearing Location: Yakima Convention Center, 10 North 8th Street, Yakima, WA, on April 7-8, 2000, at 8:00 a.m.
Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Debbie Nelson by March 31, 2000, TDD (360) 902-2207, or (360) 902-2267.
Submit Written Comments to: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Dave Brittell, 600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA 98501-1091, fax (360) 902-2162, by March 31, 2000.
Date of Intended Adoption: April 7, 2000.
March 1, 2000
Evan Jacoby
Rules Coordinator
(1) It is unlawful for any person to hunt big game animals with a bow that possesses less than 40 pounds of pull measured at twenty-eight inches or less draw length or has a greater than 65% reduction (let off) in holding weight at full draw.
(2) It is unlawful to hunt big game animals with any arrow,
including broadhead, measuring less than 18 inches in length,
weighing less than ((400 grains (400 gr.))) 6 grains per pound of
draw weight or having sharp broadhead blade or blades less than
seven-eighths inches wide. It is unlawful to hunt with a
broadhead blade unless the broadhead is unbarbed and completely
closed at the back end of the blade or blades by a smooth,
unbroken surface starting at maximum blade width forming a smooth
line toward the feather end of the shaft and such line does not
angle toward the point.
(3) It is unlawful for any person to carry or have in his possession any firearm while in the field archery hunting, during the bow and arrow season specified for that area.
(4) It is unlawful to shoot at wildlife with an arrow from a vehicle or from, across or along the maintained portion of a public highway.
(5) It is unlawful to use any device secured to or supported by the bow for the purpose of maintaining the bow at full draw or in a firing position.
(6) It is unlawful to have any electrical equipment or device(s) attached to the bow or arrow while hunting.
(7) It is unlawful to hunt wildlife with a crossbow, except hunters who have a valid disabled permit issued by the director may use a crossbow during archery seasons. A disabled hunter companion may not use a crossbow to assist a disabled hunter.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 77.12.040. 90-03-092 (Order 427), § 232-12-054, filed 1/24/90, effective 2/24/90; 88-13-012 (Order 310), § 232-12-054, filed 6/6/88; 81-12-029 (Order 165), § 232-12-054, filed 6/1/81. Formerly WAC 232-12-140.]
Reviser's note: The bracketed material preceding the section above was supplied by the code reviser's office.