H-0769.3

HOUSE BILL 1676


State of Washington	64th Legislature	2015 Regular Session

By Representatives Short, Lytton, Kretz, and Blake

AN ACT Relating to understanding the effects of predation on wild ungulate populations; creating a new section; and providing an expiration date.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. (1) The department of fish and wildlife must conduct a scientific, peer-reviewed study assessing the health of Washington's wild ungulate population in game management units that have experienced a change in predator population dynamics due to the recovery of gray wolves. The goal of the study must be to examine ungulate population trends in various game management units, using historic and current data, to assess whether or not Washington's wild ungulate population is adequate to support the change in predatory pressure resulting from gray wolf recovery.

(a) Compare ungulate population trends in game management units where gray wolves are not currently present with ungulate population trends in game management units supporting gray wolf populations;

(b) Consider all predation pressure on wild ungulates and the composition of predator species populations in various game management units, not just the predation caused by gray wolves; and

(c) Include in the scope of the study the traditional off-reservation hunting grounds of the Colville confederated tribes, commonly known as the North Half.

(3) The study required by this section must be submitted to independent peer review by qualified professionals who do not have a financial relationship with the department of fish and wildlife or any other conflicts of interest. As part of the peer review process, the department of fish and wildlife must solicit review from the appropriate game management agencies in the states of Idaho and Montana and the Canadian province of British Columbia.

(4) The results of the study required under this section must be presented to the legislature by the department of fish and wildlife, consistent with RCW 43.01.036, by October 31, 2016. In addition to the results of the study, the department of fish and wildlife must also present any proposed changes to ungulate or predator population management informed by the results of the study to maximize stability in wild ungulate populations and to minimize predation on domestic ungulate species such as cows, sheep, goats, and horses.