WSR 97-22-099

PROPOSED RULES

DEPARTMENT OF

FISH AND WILDLIFE

(Wildlife)

[Filed November 5, 1997, 8:50 a.m.]

Original Notice.

Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 97-19-027.

Title of Rule: To amend WAC 232-28-240 1997-98, 1998-99, 1999-2000 Deer and bear hunting seasons and regulations.

Purpose: Amend WAC 232-28-240 Deer hunting seasons and regulations.

Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 77.12.040.

Statute Being Implemented: RCW 77.12.040.

Summary: The amendment removes PLWMA deer hunting seasons and regulations from the WAC.

Reasons Supporting Proposal: The amendment removes PLWMA deer hunting seasons and regulations from this WAC.

Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting and Implementation: Dave Brittell, Assistant Director, Wildlife Management, Olympia, (360) 902-2504; and Enforcement: Ron Swatfigure, Assistant Director, Enforcement, Olympia, (360) 902-2932.

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 amendment removes PLWMA deer hunts from this WAC. The PLWMA hunts, rules, raffles and boundary descriptions are consolidated in another WAC.

Proposal does not change 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.

Hearing Location: Red Lion Inn, North 1100 Sullivan Road, Spokane, WA 99220, phone (509) 924-9000, on December 12-13, 1997, at 8:00 a.m.

Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Debbie Nelson by November 30, 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) 902-2940, by November 30, 1997.

Date of Intended Adoption: December 13, 1997.

November 5, 1997

Evan Jacoby

Rules Coordinator

AMENDATORY SECTION [(Amending WSR 97-12-049, filed 6/2/97, effective 7/3/97)]

WAC 232-28-240 1997-98, 1998-99, 1999-2000 Deer and bear hunting seasons and regulations.

deer

Bag Limit: One (1) deer per hunter during an annual (July 1-March 31) hunting season. The Fish and Wildlife Commission may authorize two doe permits for damage areas. Any multiple doe permits will be identified by special permit.

Hunting Method: Hunters must select one of the hunting methods (modern firearm, archery, muzzleloader).

Buck Deer Seasons: Open only to the taking of male deer with visible antlers (buck fawns illegal).

Definition: Visible antler is a horn-like growth projecting above the hairline.

Branched Antler Restriction GMUs: applies to all hunters during any open season! Buck deer taken in these GMUs must meet minimum antler point requirements. Minimum antler point requirements are antler points on one side only. Antler points include eye guards but all antler points must be at least one inch long. The following GMUs have 2 or 3 point minimum requirements on buck deer taken.

2 Point GMUs: 437, 478, 558, 574, 578, 582, 588, 636, 681, and GMU 485 (by permit only).

3 Point GMUs: Mule Deer and Blacktail Deer in all 100, 200, 300 units and GMU 450; Whitetail Deer in GMUs 127, 130, 133, 136, 139, 142, 145, 149, 154, 162, 163, 166, 169, 172, 175, 178, 181, 186, 203, and 231.

Modern Firearm Deer Seasons

Tag Required: Deer hunter must have a current, valid, unaltered, unnotched modern firearm deer tag on his/her person.

Hunting Method: Modern firearm deer tag hunters may use rifle, handgun, shotgun, bow or muzzleloader, but only during modern firearm seasons.

High Buck Hunt

Tag Required: Deer hunter must have a current, valid, unaltered, unnotched modern firearm deer tag on his/her person.

[Open Style:Columns Off]

GMUs 1997 Dates 1998 Dates 1999 Dates Legal Deer

203, 301, 302, 450 Sept. 15-25 Sept. 15-25 Sept. 15-25 3 pt. min.

Deer Areas 010,

040, 060 Sept. 15-25 Sept. 15-25 Sept. 15-25 3 pt. min.

General Modern Firearm Deer Seasons

Tag Required: Deer hunter must have a current, valid, unaltered, unnotched modern firearm deer tag on his/her person.

GMUs 1997 Dates 1998 Dates 1999 Dates Legal Deer

Eastern

All of eastern Oct. 11-19 Oct. 17-25 Oct. 16-24 Mule Deer and

Washington Blacktail Deer

except closed 3 Pt. Min. in

in GMUs 157, all open units

242, 290, 329, in GMUs 100, 200,

330, 342, and 300; except 3-Pt. Min.

371. or Antlerless in GMU

281; Whitetail - any

buck except GMUs

127-154, 162-186, and

203 and 231 3-Pt. Min.

GMUs 101-142 Oct. 11-24 Oct. 17-30 Oct.16-29 Whitetail buck only*

except 3 pt. min. in

GMUs 127-142.

Western

407-684. Closed Oct. 11-31 Oct. 17-31 Oct. 16-31 Buck only except

in GMU 522. Permit either sex in GMUs

only in GMU 485. 410, and 564; and

2 pt. min. in GMUs

437, 478, 558, 574,

578, 582, 588, 636,

and 681; and 3 pt.

min. in GMU 450.

*Hunters meeting the requirements of disabled, senior or youth may hunt antlerless whitetail during the general buck season in GMUs 105-142.

Late Buck Season

Tag Required: Deer hunter must have a current, valid, unaltered, unnotched modern firearm deer tag on his/her person.

GMUs 1997 Dates 1998 Dates 1999 Dates Legal Deer

105-124 Nov. 3-23 Nov. 9-22 Nov. 8-21 Whitetail buck only

127-142 Nov. 3-23 Nov. 9-22 Nov. 8-21 Whitetail buck only,

3 pt. min.

All 400, 500, & 600 Nov. 20-23 Nov. 19-22 Nov. 18-21 Buck only except 2

Except closed in: pt. min. in GMUs

GMUs 418, 426, 437, 478, 558, 636, and

448, 450, 485, 522, 681 and either sex

574, 578, 582, and in GMUs 410 and 564

588.

Archery Deer Seasons

Tag Required: Deer hunter must have a current valid, unaltered, unnotched archery deer tag on his/her person.

Special Notes: Archery tag holders can only hunt with archery equipment during archery seasons.

Early Archery

GMUs 1997 Dates 1998 Dates 1999 Dates Legal Deer

All 100, 200, 300 Sept. 1-5 Sept. 1-7 Sept. 1-6 Mule Deer and

GMUs except closed Blacktail Deer-3

in GMUs 157, 203, pt. min. in all

301, 302 and permit open units;

only in GMUs 242, Whitetail Deer-

290, 329, 330, 342, buck only except

and 371. 3 pt. min. in

GMUs 127-186,

and 231.

All 100, 200, 300 Sept. 6-15 Sept. 8-15 Sept. 7-15 Mule Deer and

GMUs except closed Blacktail Deer-3

in GMUs 157, 203, pt. min. in all

301, 302 and permit open 100, 200,

only in GMUs 242, and 300 units;

290, 329, 330, 342, except 3 pt. min.

and 371. or antlerless in

GMUs 130, 133, 136,

139, 142, 145, 149,

163, 178, 248, 254,

266, 269, 272, 284,

306, and 308; Whitetail

Deer-either sex except

3 pt. min. or

antlerless GMUs

127-186, and 231.

All 100, 200, 300 Sept. 16-30 Sept. 16-30 Sept. 16-30 Whitetail only,

GMUs except closed either sex except

in GMU 157 and 3 pt. min. or

permit only in GMUs antlerless in

242, 290, 329, 330, GMUs 127, 130,

342, and 371. 133, 136, 139,

142, 145, 149,

154, 162, 163,

166, 169, 172,

175, 178, 181,

186, and 231.

All 400, 500, 600* Sept. 1-30 Sept. 1-30 Sept. 1-30 Either sex, except

GMUs except closed 2 pt. min. or

in GMUs 450, 485, antlerless in

and 522. GMUs 437, 478,

558, 574, 578,

582, 588, 636,

and 681.

GMUs 203, 301, 302, Sept. 15-30 Sept. 15-30 Sept. 15-30 3 pt. min. or

450, and Deer Areas antlerless

010, 040, 060

Bow Area 802 Sept. 2-30 Sept. 1-30 Sept. 1-30 Either sex

* Bangor Submarine Base within GMU 627 is open for archers with disabilities by permit from the Navy. For information on this hunt, call Tom Jones at (360) 396-5097. Special Restrictions: Must be U.S. citizen, and hunting is open on weekends only.

Late Archery

GMUs 1997 Dates 1998 Dates 1999 Dates Legal Deer

101 Nov. 10-Dec. 15 Nov. 10-Dec. 15 Nov. 10-Dec. 15 Whitetail only,

either sex

105, 117, 121, 124 Nov. 26-Dec. 15 Nov. 25-Dec. 15 Nov. 24-Dec. 15 Whitetail only,

either sex

127, 145, 178 Nov. 26-Dec. 15 Nov. 25-Dec. 15 Nov. 24-Dec. 15 3 pt. min. or

antlerless

209, 215, 233, 272, Nov. 26-Dec. 8 Nov. 25-Dec. 8 Nov. 24-Dec. 8 Mule Deer and

300, 316, 346, 352, Blacktail Deer-

364 3 pt. min., except

3 pt. min. or

antlerless in GMU 272;

Whitetail Deer-

either sex

558, 582, 588, 636, Nov. 26-Dec. 15 Nov. 25-Dec. 15 Nov. 24-Dec. 15 2 pt. min or

681 antlerless

460, 466, 510, 513, Nov. 26-Dec. 15 Nov. 25-Dec. 15 Nov. 24-Dec. 15 Either sex

516, 520, 524, 530,

556, 560, 572, 601,

607, 612, 615, 618,

638, 648, 673

450 Nov. 26-Dec. 15 Nov. 25-Dec. 15 Nov. 24-Dec. 15 3 pt. min

Bow Areas 1997 Dates 1998 Dates 1999 Dates Legal Deer

802 Nov. 26-Dec. 15 Nov. 25-Dec. 15 Nov. 24-Dec. 15 Either sex

806, 807 Nov. 26-Dec. 8 Nov. 25-Dec. 8 Nov. 24-Dec. 8 Mule deer

and Blacktail

deer - 3 pt. min.

or antlerless

Extended Late Archery

GMUs 1997 Dates 1998 Dates 1999 Dates Legal Deer

407, 410, 454, 484, Nov. 26-Dec. 31 Nov. 25-Dec. 31 Nov. 24-Dec. 31 Either sex

505, 506, 564, 568,

603, 624, 627, 642,

660, 663, 666, 667,

672

437 Nov. 26-Dec. 31 Nov. 25-Dec. 31 Nov. 24-Dec. 31 2 pt. min. or

antlerless

Muzzleloader Deer Seasons

Tag Required: Deer hunter must have a current, valid, unaltered, unnotched muzzleloader deer tag on his/her person.

Hunting Method: Muzzleloader only.

Special Notes: Muzzleloader tag holders can only hunt during muzzleloader seasons and must hunt with muzzleloader equipment. Muzzleloader deer tag holders may apply for all either sex, antlerless only, and branched antler deer special hunting permits except on Private Lands Wildlife Management Area 201.

High Buck Hunt

GMUs 1997 Dates 1998 Dates 1999 Dates Legal Deer

203, 301, 302, 450 Sept. 15-25 Sept. 15-25 Sept. 15-25 3 pt. min.

Deer Areas 010,

040, 060 Sept. 15-25 Sept. 15-25 Sept. 15-25 3 pt. min.

Early Muzzleloader

GMUs 1997 Dates 1998 Dates 1999 Dates Legal Deer

109, 117, 209, 300, Oct. 4-10 Oct. 10-16 Oct. 9-15 Mule Deer and

304, 316, 336, 352, Blacktail Deer-

360 3 pt. min.;

Whitetail Deer-

any buck

407, 410, 520, 530, Oct. 4-10 Oct. 10-16 Oct. 9-15 Buck only

564, 568, 603, 612,

624, 672

454, 484 and 666 Oct. 4-10 Oct. 10-16 Oct. 9-15 Either sex

Late Muzzleloader

GMUs 1997 Dates 1998 Dates 1999 Dates Legal Deer

113 Nov. 26-Dec. 15 Nov. 25-Dec. 15 Nov. 24-Dec. 15 Whitetail,

buck only

139, 172, 181 Nov. 26-Dec. 15 Nov. 25-Dec. 15 Nov. 24-Dec. 15 Whitetail, 3 pt.

min.

130, 136 Nov. 26-Dec. 15 Nov. 25-Dec. 15 Nov. 24-Dec. 15 3 pt. min. or

Antlerless

410, 501, 504, 564, Nov. 26-Dec. 15 Nov. 25-Dec. 15 Nov. 24-Dec. 15 Either sex

651, 666, 684

478 Nov. 26-Dec. 15 Nov. 25-Dec. 15 Nov. 24-Dec. 15 2 pt. min.

550, 582, 602, Nov. 26-Dec. 15 Nov. 25-Dec. 15 Nov. 24-Dec. 15 Buck only

633

578 Nov. 26-Dec. 8 Nov. 25-Dec. 8 Nov. 24-Dec. 8 2 pt. min.

Muzzleloader Area

925 Dec. 1-31 Dec. 1-31 Dec. 1-31 Antlerless only

926 Nov. 26-Dec. 15 Nov. 25-Dec. 15 Nov. 24-Dec. 8 Either sex

Firearm Restricted Deer Hunts Open To All Deer Hunters

Tag Required: Deer hunter must have a current, valid, unaltered, unnotched modern firearm, archery or muzzleloader deer tag on his/her person.

Hunting Method: Must use weapon in compliance with tag. Firearm restrictions apply in some GMUs.

Weapon

GMUs Permitted 1997 Dates 1998 Dates 1999 Dates Legal Deer

410 Archery, Oct. 11-31 Oct. 17-31 Oct. 16-31 Either sex

Shotgun,

Muzzleloader

564 Archery, Nov. 26-Dec. 31 Nov. 25-Dec. 31 Nov. 24-Dec. 31 Either sex

Shotgun,

Muzzleloader

627* Archery, Oct. 11-31 Oct. 17-31 Oct. 16-31 Either sex

Shotgun,

Muzzleloader

Deer Area

062** Archery, Sept. 1-Dec. 31 Sept. 1-Dec. 31 Sept. 1-Dec. 31 Either sex

Shotgun,

Muzzleloader

*Only that portion of GMU 627 (Kitsap) on Vashon and Maury Islands.

**Restricted Access: Indian Island

((Private Lands Wildlife Management Opportunities

Champion (PLWMA 401) Kapowsin Tree Farm

Hunting Method 1997 Dates 1998 Dates 1999 Dates Special Restrictions

Archery Sept. 1-12 Sept. 1-11 Sept. 1-10 either sex

Sept. 28-Oct. 9 Sept. 28-Oct. 9 Sept. 28-Oct. 9 either sex

Modern Firearm

General Oct. 11-26 Oct. 10-25 Oct. 9-24 2 pt. min.

Muzzleloader Nov. 26-Dec. 7 Nov. 25-Dec. 6 Nov. 24-Dec. 5 Antlerless

only

Merrill and Ring (PLWMA 600) Pysht Tree Farm

Hunting Method 1997 Dates 1998 Dates 1999 Dates Special Restrictions

Archery Sept. 15-30 Sept. 15-30 Sept. 15-30 Antlerless only:

North Unit 600A -

Either sex: South

Unit 600B

Nov. 26-Dec. 31 Nov. 25-Dec. 31 Nov. 24-Dec. 31 Antlerless only:

North Unit

600A - Either sex:

South Unit 600B

Modern Firearm Oct. 11-31 Oct. 17-31 Oct. 16-31 Buck only; South

Unit 600B

Nov. 20-23 Nov. 19-22 Nov. 18-21 Buck only; South

Unit 600B

Muzzleloader Oct. 1-9 Oct. 1-9 Oct. 1-9 Antlerless only:

North Unit

600A - Buck

only: South

Unit 600B))

[Open Style:Columns On]

black bear

Bag Limit: One (1) black bear. Except if a damage bear tag is purchased and a damage season is hunted, then two (2) black bear may be taken.

License and Tag Requirements: A valid hunting license and unaltered, unnotched bear tag(s) are required to hunt black bear.

Bear Tag Information: A hunter may purchase one (1) damage bear tag and one (1) general bear tag. A damage bear tag allows a hunter to take one (1) bear during the damage season in a damage area, but is not valid during the general season. A general bear tag may be used in a damage season and during the general season to take one (1) bear.

Tag Sale Deadline: Damage bear tags must be purchased, and are only valid prior to August 1, 1997. General bear tags must be purchased by midnight of the day preceding modern firearm deer season opener. Actual dates are: Oct. 10, 1997; Oct. 16, 1998; Oct. 15, 1999.

Use of Bait and Hounds: The use of bait and hounds for hunting black bear is prohibited statewide.

black bear seasons

Damage:

July 15-31, 1997; July 15-31, 1998; July 15-31, 1999 in PLWMAs 401 and 600, and in GMUs 454, 484, 501, 505, 506, 520, 530, 564, 568, 601, 603, 615, 627, 642, 648, and 667. Also in GMUs 558 and 572 except closed on the Gifford Pinchot National Forest and on Washington Department of Natural Resource lands.

General:

Eastern Washington

Aug. 1-Nov. 6, 1997; Aug. 1-Nov. 6, 1998; Aug. 1-Nov. 6, 1999.

Western Washington

Aug. 1-Nov. 13, 1997; Aug. 1-Nov. 12, 1998; Aug. 1-Nov. 11, 1999, except Sept. 2-Nov. 13, 1997; Sept. 8-Nov. 12, 1998; and Sept. 7-Nov. 11, 1999 in Bow Area 802. closed in GMUs 485 and 522.

tooth submittal

Bear: Each hunter who takes a bear must submit the small premolar tooth behind the canine tooth of upper or lower jaw for age determination. Tooth envelopes are available from Department of Fish and Wildlife regional offices.

report cards

Each successful hunter must fill out and return a Game Harvest Report Card to the Department of Fish and Wildlife within ten days after taking a deer or bear.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 77.12.040, 77.12.020, 77.12.030 and 77.32.220. 97-12-049, 232-28-240, filed 6/2/97, effective 7/3/97. Statutory Authority: RCW 77.12.040. 97-06-047 (Order 97-30), 232-28-240, filed 2/27/97, effective 3/30/97; 96-18-051 (Order 96-133), 232-28-240, filed 8/29/96, effective 9/29/96; 96-15-102, 232-28-240, filed 7/22/96, effective 8/1/96. Statutory Authority: RCW 77.12.010 and 77.12.040. 96-04-027, 232-28-240, filed 2/1/96, effective 3/3/96. Statutory Authority: RCW 77.12.040. 95-03-031 (Order 94-142), 232-28-240, filed 1/10/95, effective 2/10/95; 94-21-069 (Orders 94-76 and 94-131), 232-28-240, filed 10/17/94, effective 11/17/94; 94-11-046 (Order 654), 232-28-240, 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.