Brief Description:Removing the authority to allow auctions and raffles for big game and wild turkey hunts.
Committee: Natural Resources
Sponsor(s):Representatives Hatfield, Pennington, Sump and Dunn
Background:In 1996 the Legislature authorized the Fish and Wildlife Commission to auction the hunting of big game animals and wild turkeys, and additionally to raffle up to 15 big game animals and turkeys. Such raffles were exempted from the purview of the Washington Gambling Commission.
The Fish and Wildlife Commission is allowed to contract with nonprofit wildlife conservation organizations to conduct such auctions and raffles. Any auction or raffle revenues collected by such a nonprofit organization must be devoted to wildlife conservation. The proceeds of any auction or raffle conducted by the Department of Fish and Wildlife are deposited into the state wildlife fund.
Private entities which have a private lands wildlife management area agreement in effect with the department, may be authorized by the Fish and Wildlife Commission to conduct a raffle for access to hunt big game and wild turkeys. Any such raffles are in addition to the 15 raffles which the department is authorized to conduct.
Raffle tickets may not be sold for more than $25 each.
The fee for a combination big game hunting license ranges from $21 to $66, depending on the species included in the combination. If the department authorizes a second animal to be hunted, the fee ranges from $11 to $21. If the department authorizes a special goat, sheep, or moose hunt, the fee is $100. Non-residents are charged at a higher rate, while youth are charged at a discount.