Original Notice.

Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 00-18-076.

Title of Rule: Black bear special permit season and quotas.

Purpose: Amend WAC 232-28-275 2000 Black bear special permit season and quotas.

Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 77.12.040.

Statute Being Implemented: RCW 77.12.040.

Summary: The amendment sets the special spring black bear season and quotas through 2002. Also, the amendments increase permit levels from 100 to 105 and increase season length by six days.

Reasons Supporting Proposal: The percent female in the fall harvest has been and currently is above the recommended level in the Blue Mountain Black Bear Management Unit (BBMU). In addition, the majority of the harvest (79%) is concentrated in three of the twelve game management units in the Blue Mountain BBMU. A spring black bear season, by permit only, allows managers to skew the harvest toward males (82% males in 2000 spring season) and distribute harvest more evenly.

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 recommendation increases spring bear harvest permits from 100 to 105 and increases the season length by six days. The purpose of the recommended rule is to skew harvest away from female bears and better distribute harvest through the area. Given the spring harvest trends, the proposed rule will result in 10-30 bears harvested.

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: Best Western Southcenter, 15901 West Valley Road, Tukwila, WA, on December 8-9, 2000, at 8:00 a.m.

Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Debbie Nelson by November 30, 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 November 21, 2000.

Date of Intended Adoption: December 8, 2000.

November 1, 2000

Evan Jacoby

Rules Coordinator

BLACK BEAR SPECIAL PERMIT HUNTS

Who May Apply: ((Any one with a valid 2000 Washington big game license which includes black bear.)) Anyone may apply. If selected, applicants must purchase a valid hunting license which includes black bear prior to being issued a permit.

Bag Limit: One (1) black bear per black bear special permit season.

Hunt Name		Permit Hunt Boundary	Special Restrictions	((2000 Permits)) Permit Level
Blue Creek	April 15 - May ((25)) 31	GMU 154	Any Legal Weapon	15
Dayton	April 15 - May ((25)) 31	GMU 162	Any Legal Weapon	15
Tucannon	April 15 - May ((25)) 31	GMU 166	Any Legal Weapon	10
Wenaha	April 15 - May ((25)) 31	GMU 169	Any Legal Weapon	((25)) 30
Mt. View	April 15 - May ((25)) 31	GMU 172	Any Legal Weapon	15
Lick Creek	April 15 - May ((25)) 31	GMU 175	Any Legal Weapon	15
Grande Ronde	April 15 - May ((25)) 31	GMU 186	Any Legal Weapon	5

License Required: A valid big game hunting license which includes black bear as a species option is required to hunt black bear.      One black bear transport tag is included with a big game hunting license that has black bear as a species option.      A second black bear transport tag must be purchased to take a second bear.

Hunting Method: Hunters may use any lawful big game modern firearm, archery, or muzzleloader equipment for hunting black bear.      The use of hounds and bait to hunt black bear is prohibited state-wide.

Harvest Report Cards: All hunters that purchase a big game hunting license which includes black bear as an option are required to fill out and return their black bear harvest report card(s).      Successful hunters must complete the report card(s) and return within 10 days after taking an animal.      Unsuccessful hunters are required to complete and return their report card(s) within 10 days after the close of the bear season, except that unsuccessful spring bear hunters may retain their harvest report card for use during the general season.

Submitting Bear Teeth: Successful bear hunters must submit the black bear premolar tooth located behind the canine tooth of the upper jaw.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 77.12.040, 77.12.010, 77.12.020, 77.12.770, 77.12.780.      00-04-017 (Order 00-05), § 232-28-275, filed 1/24/00, effective 2/24/00.      Statutory Authority: RCW 77.12.040.      99-01-145 (Order 98-250), § 232-28-275, filed 12/22/98, effective 1/1/99.]

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