WSR 26-15-116
PROPOSED RULES
DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND WILDLIFE
[Order 26-10—Filed July 21, 2026, 12:58 p.m.]
Continuance of WSR 26-13-113 on June 17, 2026. The continuance is being filed with the code reviser to change the rule hearing date to August 6 from July 27. The department of fish and wildlife (department) needs additional time in its review of the proposed rules.
Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 26-09-143 on April 22, 2026.
Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: Hunting rules improvement project for chapters 220-400, 220-412, 220-413, 220-414, 220-415, and 220-417 WAC.
Hearing Location(s): On Thursday, August 6, 2026, at 1:00 p.m., via virtual director hearing by Zoom at https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_M3i9XmnxS4-rjv0wJht7bQ. To register to verbally comment at the public hearing, sign up at https://engage.wdfw.wa.gov/l76183.
Date of Intended Adoption: On or after August 11, 2026.
Submit Written Comments to: Rules Coordinator, P.O. Box 43200, Olympia, WA 98504, email 2026huntingimprovementcr102@publicinput.com, fax 360-902-2162, web https://engage.wdfw.wa.gov/2026huntingimprovementcr102, phone 855-925-2801, project code 5821, beginning June 17, 2026, 12:00 p.m., by August 6, 2026, 11:59 p.m.
Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Title VI/ADA compliance coordinator, phone 360-902-2349, TTY 1-800-833-6388 or 711, email Title6@dfw.wa.gov, web http://wdfw.wa.gov/accessibility/requests-accommodation, by July 31, 2026, 11:59 p.m.
Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: The department is seeking to update hunting rules to improve their enforceability and to ensure that they are better understood by the public.
Reasons Supporting Proposal: The department is seeking certain amendments to rules to improve their enforceability. By implementing these rule changes, the department will improve the clarity and understanding of these regulations to gain greater public compliance with the hunting laws. Improved compliance will ultimately yield better outcomes for preserving wildlife resources and improved public safety.
Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.
Name of Proponent: Washington state department of fish and wildlife, governmental.
Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting: Thomas Knoll Jr., 1111 Washington Street S.E., Olympia, WA 98501, 360-951-3088; Implementation and Enforcement: Chief Mike Jewell, 1111 Washington Street S.E., Olympia, WA 98501, 360-902-2373.
A school district fiscal impact statement is not required under RCW
28A.305.135.
A cost-benefit analysis is not required under RCW
34.05.328.
This rule proposal, or portions of the proposal, is exempt from requirements of the Regulatory Fairness Act because the proposal:
Scope of exemption for rule proposal:
Is fully exempt.
July 21, 2026
Scott Bird
Rules Coordinator