WSR 97-06-117
PROPOSED RULES
DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND WILDLIFE
(Wildlife)
[Filed March 5, 1997, 10:29 a.m.]
Original Notice.
Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 97-01-111.
Title of Rule: To amend WAC 232-28-242 1997-98, 1998-99, 1999-2000 Elk hunting seasons and regulations.
Purpose: To amend the WAC and add a game management unit that was inadvertently omitted from modern firearm and early archery seasons.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 77.12.020, 77.12.030, 77.12.040, or 77.32.220.
Statute Being Implemented: RCW 77.12.020, 77.12.030, 77.12.040, or 77.32.220.
Summary: GMU 618 (Matheny) is included in the modern firearm general elk season and the early archery elk season. These hunts were inadvertently omitted from the WAC.
Reasons Supporting Proposal: To correct an oversight in previous adoption.
Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting and Implementation: Dave Brittell, Assistant Director, Wildlife Management Program, Olympia, (360) 902-2504; and Enforcement: Ron Swatfigure, Acting Assistant Director, Enforcement Program, Olympia, (360) 902-2927.
Name of Proponent: Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission, governmental.
Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.
Explanation of Rule, its Purpose, and Anticipated Effects: The amended rule will provide modern firearm and archery hunting opportunity in Game Management Unit 618 (Matheny).
Proposal Changes the Following Existing Rules: See above.
No small business economic impact statement has been prepared under chapter 19.85 RCW. These rules do not affect small business.
Section 201, chapter 403, Laws of 1995, does not apply to this rule adoption.
Hearing Location: Longview Elks Lodge, 1265 12th Avenue, Longview, WA 98632, on April 18-19, 1997, at 8:00 a.m.
Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Debbie Nelson by April 1, 1997, TDD (360) 902-2207, or (360) 902-2267.
Submit Written Comments to: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Evan Jacoby, 600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA 98501-1091, FAX (360) 902-2930, by April 4, 1997.
Date of Intended Adoption: April 19, 1997.
March 5, 1997
Evan Jacoby
Legal Counsel
AMENDATORY SECTION [(Amending Order 97-31, filed 2/27/97)]
WAC 232-28-242 1997-98, 1998-99, 1999-2000 Elk hunting seasons and
regulations.
elk seasons
Bag Limit: One (1) elk per hunter during the annual (July 1-March 31)
hunting season.
Hunting Method: Elk hunters must select one of the hunting methods
(modern firearm, archery, muzzleloader).
Tag Required: During the 1997-1998 season: Elk hunters must choose one
of the four elk hunting areas (Blue Mountains, Yakima, Colockum or
Western Washington) to hunt in and buy the appropriate tag for that area.
During the 1998-1999 and 1999-2000 seasons, elk hunters must choose one
of the five elk hunting areas (Blue Mountains, Northeastern Washington,
Yakima, Colockum, or Western Washington) to hunt in and buy the
appropriate tag for that area.
Bull Elk Seasons: Open only to the taking of male elk with visible
antlers (bull calves are illegal). Spike bull only or 3-point minimum
restrictions apply in most game management units.
Definition: Visible Antler is defined as a horn-like growth projecting
above the hairline.
Spike Bull Restriction GMUs: Bull elk taken in these GMUs must have at
least one antler that is a spike above the ears (does not branch above
ears). An animal with branched antlers on both sides is illegal but an
animal with a spike on one side is legal in spike only units.
Spike Only GMUs: 145-154, 160-186, 302, 314-329, 335-371, 407, 410, 426-454, 484, 504, 505, 510, 516, 520, 550, 560, 658, 660, 663, 666, 667,
672, 673, and 684.
Branched Antler Restriction GMUs: Bull elk taken in these GMUs must meet
minimum antler point requirements. Minimum antler point requirements are
antler points on one side only. Antler points may include eye guards but
antler points on the lower half of either main beam must be at least four
(4) inches long, measured from tip to nearest edge of beam. All other
antler points must be at least one inch long. Antler restrictions apply
to all hunters during any open season.
3 Point GMUs: 460, 466, 478, 490, 506, 513, 530, 558, 572, 601, 603,
607, 612, 615, 624, 627, 633, 638, 642, 648, 651, 681; and GMUs 157, 472,
485, 524, 556, 602 and 621 by permit only.
Special Permits: Only hunters with elk tags identified in the Special
Elk Permits tables may apply for special bull or antlerless permits.
Please see permit table for tag eligibility. Hunters drawn for a special
permit may hunt only with a weapon in compliance with their tag and
during the dates listed for the hunt.
Elk Tag Areas
Blue Mountains: 100 series GMUs, GMUs 127 and 130 are permit only for modern firearm hunters; and GMU 157 limited by permit to all hunters.
BA - Blue Mountains Archery Tag
BG - Blue Mountains Modern General Bull Tag
BP - Blue Mountains Modern Permit Applicant Tag
BM - Blue Mountains Muzzleloader Tag
For 1998 and beyond, GMUs 101-142 will be designated Northeastern Elk Tag Area.
NA - Northeastern Archery Tag
NG - Northeastern Modern General Bull Tag
NP - Northeastern Modern Permit Applicant Tag
NM - Northeastern Muzzleloader Tag
Colockum: Chelan County portion of GMU 302, and GMUs 300, 301, 304, 306, 308, 314, 316, 328, 329, 330 (permit only in GMU 330), and the portion of GMU 334 north of I-90 (modern firearm restrictions in GMU 334).
CA - Colockum Archery Tag
CG - Colockum Modern General Bull Tag
CP - Colockum Modern Permit Applicant Tag
CM - Colockum Muzzleloader Tag
Yakima: Kittitas County portion of GMU 302, and the portion of GMU 334 south of I-90 (Modern Firearm restrictions in GMU 334), and GMUs 335, 336, 340, 342, 346, 352, 356, 360, 364, 368, 371, and 372.
YA - Yakima Archery Tag
YG - Yakima Modern General Bull Tag
YP - Yakima Modern Permit Applicant Tag
YM - Yakima Muzzleloader Tag
Western Washington: All 400, 500, and 600 GMUs except closed in GMU 418, 522, 636 and modern firearm restrictions in portion of GMU 660. GMUs 418 (Nooksack) and 636 (Skokomish) are closed to all elk hunting as Conservation Closures. Elk Area 064 in GMU 638 (Quinault) is open to AHE hunters only. The Cathlamet Big Game Closure in GMU 506 (Willapa Hills) is open to archery AHE permit hunters only. Permit only in GMUs 472, 485, 524, 554, 556, 602, 621 and PLWMA 600 (Pysht).
WA - Western Washington Archery Tag
WG - Western Washington Modern General Bull Tag
WP - Western Washington Modern Permit Applicant Tag
WM - Western Washington Muzzleloader Tag
Modern Firearm Elk Information
Modern firearm elk hunters have early and late hunts in all elk areas.
Those who buy the General tag have the first opportunity to hunt bulls.
Only those who buy the Permit tag are able to apply for special elk
permits.
Tag Required: Elk hunter must have a current, valid, unaltered,
unnotched modern firearm elk tag as listed below on his/her person.
Hunting Method: May use rifle, bow and arrow, or muzzleloader, but only
during modern firearm seasons.
[Open Style:Columns Off]
Modern Firearm Elk Seasons
GMUs Elk Tag 1997 Dates 1998 Dates 1999 Dates Legal Elk
97 98 99
101-142 BG NG NG Oct. 25-Nov. 2 Oct. 31-Nov. 8 Oct. 30-Nov. 7 Any Bull
BP NP NP Oct. 27-Nov. 2 Nov. 2-8 Nov. 1-7 Any Bull
145-154, 162-186 BG BG BG Oct. 25-Nov. 2 Oct. 31-Nov.8 Oct. 30-Nov. 7 Spike Bull Only
BP BP BP Oct. 27-Nov. 2 Nov. 2-8 Nov. 1-7 Spike Bull Only
300, 301, 304, CG CG CG Oct. 25-Nov. 2 Oct. 31-Nov. 8 Oct. 30-Nov. 7 Any Bull
306, 308 CP CP CP Oct. 27-Nov. 2 Nov. 2-8 Nov. 1-7 Any Bull
314-329 and Chelan CG CG CG Oct. 25-Nov. 2 Oct. 31-Nov. 8 Oct. 30-Nov. 7 Spike Bull Only
County portion of
GMU 302 CP CP CP Oct. 27-Nov. 2 Nov. 2-8 Nov. 1-7 Spike Bull Only
335-371 and Kittitas YG YG YG Oct. 25-Nov. 2 Oct. 31-Nov. 8 Oct. 30-Nov. 7 Spike Bull Only
County portion of
GMU 302 YP YP YP Oct. 27-Nov. 2 Nov. 2-8 Nov. 1-7 Spike Bull Only
372 YG YG YG Oct. 25-Nov. 2 Oct. 31-Nov. 8 Oct. 30-Nov. 7 Any Bull
YP YP YP Oct. 27-Nov. 2 Nov. 2-8 Nov. 1-7 Any Bull
407, 410, 426-454, WG WG WG Nov. 8-16 Nov. 7-15 Nov. 6-14 Spike Bull Only
484 WP WP WP Nov. 10-16 Nov. 9-15 Nov. 8-14 Spike Bull Only
460, 466, 478, 490 WG WG WG Nov. 8-16 Nov. 7-15 Nov. 6-14 3-Pt. Min.
WP WP WP Nov. 10-16 Nov. 9-15 Nov. 8-14 3-Pt. Min.
504, 505, 510, 516, WG WG WG Nov. 8-16 Nov. 7-15 Nov. 6-14 Spike Bull Only
520, 550, 560 WP WP WP Nov. 10-16 Nov. 9-15 Nov. 8-14 Spike Bull Only
501, 564, 568, 574, WG WG WG Nov. 8-16 Nov. 7-15 Nov. 6-14 Either Sex
578, 582, 588 WP WP WP Nov. 10-16 Nov. 9-15 Nov. 8-14 Either Sex
506, 513, 530, 558, WG WG WG Nov. 8-16 Nov. 7-15 Nov. 6-14 3-Pt. Min.
572 WP WP WP Nov. 10-16 Nov. 9-15 Nov. 8-14 3-Pt. Min.
658, 660, 663, 666, WG WG WG Nov. 8-16 Nov. 7-15 Nov. 6-14 Spike Bull Only
667, 672, 673, 684 WP WP WP Nov. 10-16 Nov. 9-15 Nov. 8-14 Spike Bull Only
601, 603, 607, 612, WG WG WG Nov. 8-16 Nov. 7-15 Nov. 6-14 3-Pt. Min. except
615, 618, 624, 627, AHE hunters only
633, 638, 642, 648, in Elk Area 064 in
651, 681 GMU 638
WP WP WP Nov. 10-16 Nov. 9-15 Nov. 8-14 3-Pt. Min. except
AHE hunters only
in Elk Area 064 in
GMU 638
Archery Elk Seasons
Tag Required: Elk hunter must have a current, valid, unaltered,
unnotched archery elk tag as listed below on his/her person.
Hunting Method: Bow and arrow only.
Special Notes: Archery tag holders can hunt only during archery seasons.
Archery elk hunters may apply for special bull permits. Please see
permit table for tag eligibility for all elk permits.
Early Archery Elk Seasons
Tag Required: Elk hunter must have a current, valid, unaltered,
unnotched archery elk tag as listed below on his/her person for the area
hunted: Blue Mountains (BA), Northeastern (NA), Colockum (CA), Yakima
(YA), or Western Washington (WA).
GMUs Elk Tag 1997 Dates 1998 Dates 1999 Dates Legal Elk
97 98 99
101-142 BA NA NA Sept. 1-14 Sept. 1-14 Sept. 1-14 Either sex
145-154, 162-169, BA BA BA Sept. 1-14 Sept. 1-14 Sept. 1-14 Spike bull only
175, 178, 181, 186
300, 306, 308, CA CA CA Sept. 1-14 Sept. 1-14 Sept. 1-14 Either sex
334 (North
of I-90)
328, 329 CA CA CA Sept. 1-14 Sept. 1-14 Sept. 1-14 Spike bull or
antlerless
334 (South of
I-90), 372 YA YA YA Sept. 1-14 Sept. 1-14 Sept. 1-14 Either sex
335, 336, 340, 352, YA YA YA Sept. 1-14 Sept. 1-14 Sept. 1-14 Spike bull or
356, 364, 371 antlerless
407, 410, 426, 448, WA WA WA Sept. 1-14 Sept. 1-14 Sept. 1-14 Spike bull or
450, 504, 505, 510, antlerless
516, 520, 550, 554,
560, 658, 660, 663,
667, 672, 673, 684
437, 454, 484, 501, WA WA WA Sept. 1-14 Sept. 1-14 Sept. 1-14 Either sex
564, 568, 574, 578,
582, 588
460, 466, 478, 490, WA WA WA Sept. 1-14 Sept. 1-14 Sept. 1-14 3 pt. min. or
506, 513, 530, 558, antlerless except
572, 681 permit only in
Cathlamet Firearm
Restriction Area
in GMU 506
601, 603, 612, 615, WA WA WA Sept. 1-14 Sept. 1-14 Sept. 1-14 3 pt. min. and permit
618, 624, 627, 633, only on Pysht PLWMA
638, 642, 648, 651 600 in GMU 603; AHE
hunters only in Elk
Area 064 in GMU 638
Bow Area 802 WA Sept. 2-14 Sept. 1-14 Sept. 1-14 Spike bull
or antlerless
Late Archery Elk Seasons
Tag Required: Elk hunter must have a current, valid, unaltered,
unnotched archery as listed below elk tag on his/her person for the area
hunted.
GMUs Elk Tag 1997 Dates 1998 Dates 1999 Dates Legal Elk
97 98 99
101, 105, 117, 121, BA NA NA Nov. 26-Dec. 15 Nov. 25-Dec. 15 Nov. 24-Dec. 15 Either sex
124, 127
Private lands within BA BA BA Nov. 26-Dec. 15 Nov. 25-Dec. 15 Nov. 24-Dec. 15 Spike bull or
GMU 162 east of the antlerless
North Touchet Road.
GMU 178 on private
lands only
328 CA CA CA Nov. 26-Dec. 8 Nov. 25-Dec. 8 Nov. 24-Dec. 8 Spike bull or
antlerless
336, 346, 352 YA YA YA Nov. 26-Dec. 8 Nov. 25-Dec. 8 Nov. 24-Dec. 8 Spike bull or
antlerless
407, 437, 454, 484, WA WA WA Nov. 26-Dec. 15 Nov. 25-Dec. 15 Nov. 24-Dec. 15 Spike bull or
505, 520, 672 antlerless
564, 588 WA WA WA Nov. 26-Dec. 15 Nov. 25-Dec. 15 Nov. 24-Dec. 15 Either sex
603, 612, 615, WA WA WA Nov. 26-Dec. 15 Nov. 25-Dec. 15 Nov. 24-Dec. 15 3 pt. min. except
638, 648 closed on Pysht
PLWMA 600; AHE
hunters only in
Elk Area 064 in
GMU 638
506, 530, 681* WA WA WA Nov. 26-Dec. 15 Nov. 25-Dec. 15 Nov. 24-Dec. 15 3 pt. min. or
antlerless and
permit only in
Cathlamet Firearm
Restriction Area
in Wahkiakum
County
Bow Areas
802 WA WA WA Nov. 26-Dec. 15 Nov. 25-Dec. 15 Nov. 24-Dec. 15 Spike bull or
antlerless
806, 807 YA YA YA Nov. 26-Dec. 8 Nov. 25-Dec. 8 Nov. 24-Dec. 8 Spike bull or
antlerless
841 WA WA WA Nov. 26-Dec. 15 Nov. 25-Dec. 15 Nov. 24-Dec. 15 Spike bull or
antlerless
* Except closed between U.S. Highway 101 and the Columbia River from
Astoria-Megler toll bridge to the Wallicut River.
Muzzleloader Elk Seasons
Tag Required: Elk hunter must have a current, valid, unaltered,
unnotched muzzleloader elk tag as listed below on his/her person.
Hunting Method: Muzzleloader only.
Special Notes: Muzzleloader tag holders can only hunt during the
muzzleloader seasons and must hunt with muzzleloader equipment. Only
hunters with tags identified in the Special Elk Permits tables may apply
for special elk permits.
Early Muzzleloader Elk Seasons
Tag Required: Elk hunter must have a current, valid, unaltered,
unnotched muzzleloader elk tag as designated below on his/her person.
GMUs Elk Tag 1997 Dates 1998 Dates 1999 Dates Legal Elk
97 98 99
109 BM NM NM Oct. 4-10 Oct. 10-16 Oct. 9-15 Any Bull
172 BM BM BM Oct. 4-10 Oct. 10-16 Oct. 9-15 Spike bull only
178, 181 BM BM BM Oct. 4-10 Oct. 10-16 Oct. 9-15 Spike bull
or antlerless
314*, 316 CM, CM CM Oct. 4-10 Oct. 10-16 Oct. 9-15 Spike bull only
304 CM CM CM Oct. 4-10 Oct. 10-16 Oct. 9-15 Any Bull
342, 356, 368 YM YM YM Oct. 4-10 Oct. 10-16 Oct. 9-15 Spike bull only
501, 564 WM WM WM Oct. 4-10 Oct. 10-16 Oct. 9-15 Either sex
660 WM WM WM Oct. 4-10 Oct. 10-16 Oct. 9-15 Spike Bull only
460, 478, 513, WM WM WM Oct. 4-10 Oct. 10-16 Oct. 9-15 3 pt. min.
530, 603, 607
437, 454, 484, WM WM WM Oct. 4-10 Oct. 10-16 Oct. 9-15 Spike bull or
684 antlerless
Muzzleloader
Area 910 YM YM YM Sept. 1-14 Sept. 1-14 Sept. 1-14 Spike bull or
antlerless
* The portion of GMU 314 bordered by the Colockum Pass Road (Road 10),
Naneum Ridge Road (Road 9), and Ingersol Road (Road 1) is closed.
See Naneum Green Dot Map.
Late Muzzleloader Elk Seasons
Tag Required: Elk hunter must have a current, valid, unaltered,
unnotched muzzleloader elk tag as designated below on his/her person.
GMUs Elk Tag 1997 Dates 1998 Dates 1999 Dates Legal Elk
97 98 99
130, 133, 136, BM NM NM Nov. 26-Dec. 15 Nov. 25-Dec. 15 Nov. 24-Dec. 15 Either sex
139
346 YM YM YM Nov. 26-Dec. 8 Nov. 25-Dec. 8 Nov. 24-Dec. 8 Spike bull only
454, 484, 505 WM WM WM Nov. 26-Dec. 15 Nov. 25-Dec. 15 Nov. 24-Dec. 15 Spike bull or
antlerless
437, 504, 550 WM WM WM Nov. 26-Dec. 15 Nov. 25-Dec. 15 Nov. 24-Dec. 15 Spike bull only
501, 564, 568, WM WM WM Nov. 26-Dec. 15 Nov. 25-Dec. 15 Nov. 24-Dec. 15 Either sex
578
601 WM WM WM Nov. 26-Dec. 15 Nov. 25-Dec. 15 Nov. 24-Dec. 15 3 pt. bull min.
684 WM WM WM Nov. 26-Dec. 15 Nov. 25-Dec. 15 Nov. 24-Dec. 15 Spike bull or
antlerless
Muzzleloader
Areas
910 YM YM YM Nov. 26-Dec. 8 Nov. 25-Dec. 8 Nov. 24-Dec. 8 Antlerless only
944 YM YM YM Nov. 26-Dec. 8 Nov. 25-Dec. 8 Nov. 24-Dec. 8 Spike bull or
antlerless
Special Elk Hunts Open to Specified Tag Holders
Tag Required: Proper elk tags are listed with each GMU below.
Hunting Method: Hunters must use method listed on their tag, except in
Firearm Restriction Areas, where some types of weapons are banned from
use. See elk tag required, dates, and legal elk in table below.
Damage Elk Hunts
GMUs Elk Tag 1997 Dates 1998 Dates 1999 Dates Legal Elk
97 98 99
101 105, 121, 124, BG, BP NG, NP NG, NP Oct. 25-Nov. 2 Oct. 31-Nov. 8 Oct. 30-Nov. 7 Either sex
west of SR 395,
133, 136, 139
127*, 130* BA, BG NA, NG NA, NG Oct. 20-Nov. 20 Oct. 20-Nov. 20 Oct. 20-Nov. 20 Either sex
BP, BM NP, NM NP, NM
372 Any Elk Any Elk Any Elk Nov. 1-15 Nov. 1-15 Nov. 1-15 Either sex
Tag Tag Tag
564** WA, WM, WA, WM, WA, WM, Nov. 8-16 Nov. 7-15 Nov. 6-14 Either sex
WG, WP WG, WP WG, WP
501, 568, 574, WG, WP WG, WP WG, WP Nov. 8-16 Nov. 7-15 Nov. 6-14 Either sex
578, 588
300, 301, 304, CG, CP, CG, CP, CG, CP, Dec. 8-21 Dec. 7-20 Dec. 6-19 Either sex
306, 308 CM CM CM
Elk Area 001 Any Elk Any Elk Any Elk Nov. 1-15 Nov. 1-15 Nov. 1-15 Either sex
Tag Tag Tag
* Advanced Hunter Education hunters only.
** Archery or Muzzleloader Equipment Only. Modern Firearm elk tag
holders may hunt but must use primitive weapons.
Private Lands Wildlife Management Opportunities
Champion (PLWMA 401) Kapowsin Tree Farm
Hunting Method Elk Tag 1997 Dates 1998 Dates 1999 Dates Special Restrictions
Archery WA Sept. 1-12 Sept. 1-11 Sept. 1-10 Antlerless only
PLWMA 401 North
PLWMA 401 Central
PLWMA 401 South
Muzzleloader WM Nov. 24-Dec. 4 closed closed Spike only
PLWMA 401 North
Modern Firearm WG, WP Nov. 1-7 closed closed Spike only
PLWMA 401 North
[Open Style:Columns On]
Report Cards
Each successful hunter must fill out and return a Game Harvest Report
Card to the Department of Fish and Wildlife within 10 days after taking
an elk.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 77.12.040. 97-06-053 (Order 97-31), 232-28-242, filed 2/27/97, effective 3/30/97. Statutory Authority: RCW
77.12.010 and 77.12.040. 96-04-027, 232-28-242, filed 2/1/96,
effective 3/3/96. Statutory Authority: RCW 77.12.040. 95-03-033 (Order
94-144), 232-28-242, filed 1/10/95, effective 2/10/95; 94-18-056 (Order
94-55), 232-28-242, filed 8/31/94, effective 10/1/94; 94-11-048 (Order
656), 232-28-242, filed 5/10/94, effective 6/10/94.]
Reviser's note: The bracketed material preceding the section above
was supplied by the code reviser's office.
Reviser's note: RCW 34.05.395 requires the use of underlining and
deletion marks to indicate amendments to existing rules. The rule
published above varies from its predecessor in certain respects not
indicated by the use of these markings.
Reviser's note: The spelling error in the above section occurred in the copy filed by the agency and appears in the Register pursuant to the requirements of RCW 34.08.040.