WSR 98-05-088
PROPOSED RULES
DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND WILDLIFE
[Filed February 18, 1998, 10:23 a.m.]
Original Notice.
Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 98-01-174.
Title of Rule: To adopt WAC 232-28-281 1998-99 and 1999-2000 Elk general seasons and special permits.
Purpose: To adopt WAC 232-28-281 1998-99 and 1999-2000 Elk general seasons and special permits.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 77.12.040.
Statute Being Implemented: RCW 77.12.040.
Summary: A number of changes are proposed that will reduce the complexity of hunting regulations. The permit applicant elk tag for modern firearm hunters is proposed to be deleted. This change will allow all modern firearm tag hunters to apply for special permits and hunt starting with opening day of the modern firearm hunting season. Another change is to make all of western Washington a 3 point antler restriction. This will eliminate the spike only restrictions in western Washington. The format of the WAC is changed to make it easier to read and be consistent with the hunting pamphlet. The PLWMA rules were adopted in December so are not included in the proposed WAC. The White River Unit was permit only for spike bull and 3 point minimum bull. All permits for White River are proposed to be deleted and a general 3 point minimum season is recommended for all user groups. Permit levels for all hunts are adjusted to reflect population abundance and allocation among user groups according to the Resource Allocation Task Group.
Reasons Supporting Proposal: The general hunting seasons and permit levels are combined into one WAC. Public opinion is strongly in favor of 3 point antler restrictions so we are recommending that change. Public opinion also favors dropping the two day wait for modern firearm permit applicants so we are recommending that change.
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 rule will adopt 1998 and 1999 elk hunting seasons and rules. The purpose is to adopt rules consistent with conservation of the resource while providing recreation opportunity. The effect will be to maintain hunting seasons for elk similar to past years.
Proposal Changes the Following 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: Doubletree Hotel, 1225 North Wenatchee Avenue, Wenatchee, WA 98801, phone (509) 663-0711, on April 3-4, 1998, at 8:00 a.m.
Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Debbie Nelson by March 25, 1998, 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 March 25, 1998.
Date of Intended Adoption: April 3, 1998.
February 18, 1998
Evan Jacoby
Rules Coordinator
NEW SECTION
WAC 232-28-281 1998-99 and 1999-2000 Elk general seasons and
special permits
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: 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.
Any 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.
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, 162-186, 302, 314-329, and 335-371
3 Point Restriction GMUs: Bull elk taken in these GMUs must have 3
antler points on one side only. Antler points may include eye guards,
but antler points on the lower half of the main beam must be at least
four (4) inches long measured from antler tip to nearest edge of beam;
all other antler points must be at least one (1) inch long. Antler
restrictions apply to all hunters during any open season.
3 Point GMUs: All of western Washington except for GMUs 564, 568, 574,
578, 582, 588 and permit only GMUs 157, 485, 524, 556, 602, and 621.
GMUs Closed to Elk Hunting: 418 (Nooksack), 437 (Sauk) except for Elk
Area 041, 522 (Loo-wit) and 636 (Skokomish).
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.
Harvest Report Card: Successful hunters must fill out and return a Game
Harvest Report Card within 10 days after taking an elk.
Elk Tag Areas
Blue Mountains: GMUs 145-186, with GMU 157 limited by permit to all hunters.
BA - Blue Mountains Archery Tag
BG - Blue Mountains Modern General Bull Tag
BM - Blue Mountains Muzzleloader Tag
Northeastern: GMUs 101-142; GMUs 127 and 130 are permit.
NA - Northeastern Archery Tag
NG - Northeastern Modern General Bull Tag
NM - Northeastern Muzzleloader Tag
Colockum: GMUs 300, 302, 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
CM - Colockum Muzzleloader Tag
Yakima: The portion of GMU 334 south of I-90 (Modern Firearm restrictions in GMU 334), and GMUs 302, 335, 336, 340, 342, 346, 352, 356, 360, 364, 368, 371, and 372.
YA - Yakima Archery Tag
YG - Yakima Modern General Bull Tag
YM - Yakima Muzzleloader Tag
Western Washington: All 400, 500 and 600 GMUs except closed in GMU 418, 437, 522, and modern firearm restrictions in portions of GMU 660. GMUs 418 (Nooksack), 437 (Sauk) except for Elk Area 041, and 636 (Skokomish) are closed to all elk hunting as Conservation Closures. GMU 554 is open only for early archery and muzzleloader permit seasons. Elk Area 064 in GMU 638 (Quinault) is open to AHE hunters only. Permit only in GMUs 485, 524, 556, 602, 621, and PLWMA 600 (Pysht).
WA - Western Washington Archery Tag
WG - Western Washington Modern General Bull Tag
WM - Western Washington Muzzleloader Tag
Permit Only Units: The following GMUs are closed during general seasons:
GMUs 127 (Mica Peak) and 130 (Cheney) closed during modern firearm
seasons; 157 (Mill Creek Watershed), 330 (West Bar), 485 (Green River),
524 (Margaret), 554 (Yale), 556 (Toutle), 602 (Dickey), 621 (Olympic),
and PLWMAs 401 (Champion) and 600 (Merrill and Ring).
Modern Firearm Elk Seasons
License Required: Hunting license.
Tag Required: Valid modern firearm elk tag as listed below on his/her person for the area hunted.
Hunting Method: May use rifle, bow and arrow, or muzzleloader, but only
during modern firearm seasons.
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Archery Elk Seasons
License Required: Hunting license.
Tag Required: Valid archery elk tag as listed below on his/her person for the area hunted.
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.
Muzzleloader Elk Seasons
License Required: Hunting license.
Tag Required: Valid muzzleloader elk tag as listed below on his/her person for the area hunted.
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.
Special Elk Hunts Open to Specified Tag Holders
License Required: Hunting License
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.
Special Elk Permit Hunting Seasons
(Open to Permit Holders Only)
Permit hunters may hunt only with a weapon in compliance with their tag.
Applicants must have purchased the proper tag for these hunts (see Elk
Tag Prefix required to apply for each hunt).
Hunt Permit Special Elk Tag Boundary 1998
Name Season Restrictions Prefix Description Permits
Modern Firearm Bull Permit Hunts
Blue Creek A Oct. 25-Nov. 8 3 Pt. Min. BG GMU 154 4
Watershed A* Oct. 31-Nov. 8 3 Pt. Bull or BA, BG, BM GMU 157 50
Antlerless
Dayton A Oct. 25-Nov. 8 3 Pt. Min. BG GMU 162 4
Tucannon A Oct. 25-Nov. 8 3 Pt. Min. BG GMU 166 3
Wenaha A Oct. 25-Nov. 8 3 Pt. Min. BG GMU 169 6
Mountain View A Oct. 25-Nov. 8 3 Pt. Min. BG GMU 172 5
Peola A Oct. 25-Nov. 8 3 Pt. Min. BG GMU 178 2
Couse Oct. 25-Nov. 8 3 Pt. Min. BG GMU 181 1
Grande Ronde A Oct. 25-Nov. 8 3 Pt. Min. BG GMU 186 1
Naneum A Oct. 25-Nov. 8 3 Pt. Min. CG GMU 328 19
Quilomene A Oct. 25-Nov. 8 3 Pt. Min. CG GMU 329 10
Peaches Ridge A Oct. 25-Nov. 8 3 Pt. Min. YG GMUs 336, 346 88
Observatory A Oct. 25-Nov. 8 3 Pt. Min. YG GMUs 340, 342 52
Goose Prairie A Oct. 25-Nov. 8 3 Pt. Min. YG GMUs 352, 356 41
Bethel A Oct. 25-Nov. 8 3 Pt. Min. YG GMU 360 20
Rimrock A Oct. 25-Nov. 8 3 Pt. Min. YG GMU 364 63
Cowiche A Oct. 25-Nov. 8 3 Pt. Min. YG GMU 368 11
Alkali Oct. 31-Nov. 8 3 Pt. Min. YG GMU 372 60
Winston A Nov. 2-15 3 Pt. Min. WG GMU 520 10
Margaret A Nov. 2-15 3 Pt. Min. WG GMU 524 21
Coweeman A Nov. 2-15 3 Pt. Min. WG GMU 550 8
Toutle A Nov. 2-15 3 Pt. Min. WG GMU 556 117
Lewis River A Nov. 2-15 3 Pt. Min. WG GMU 560 16
Dickey A Nov. 2-15 3 Pt. Min. WG GMU 602 7
Olympic A Nov. 2-15 3 Pt. Min. WG GMU 621 16
*Permit season is open for archery and muzzleloader but hunt is the same as modern firearm and all hunters must wear
hunter orange.
Modern Firearm Elk Permit Hunts (Only modern firearm and muzzleloader elk tag holders may apply.)
Northeast Nov. 2-8 Antlerless Only NG or NM GMUs 109, 113, 80
117, 124 (E. of SR 395)
Mica, Cheney Oct. 17-Nov. 8 Antlerless Only NG or NM GMUs 127, 130 250
Wenaha B Oct. 1-10 3-Pt. Min. BG or BM GMU 169 3
Peola B Nov. 4-8 Antlerless BG or BM GMU 178 25
Wenatchee Mtns. Oct. 1-10 3-Pt. Min. CG, CM, GMU 302, 335 18
YP, or YM
Shushuskin A Dec. 1-31 Antlerless YG or YM Elk Area 031 50
Malaga A Sept. 1-Oct. 3 Any Elk CG or CM Elk Area 032 75
Malaga B Oct. 11-31 Any Elk CG or CM Elk Area 032 75
Malaga C Nov. 10-Dec. 31 Any Elk CG or CM Elk Area 033 75
Peshastin A Sept. 1-Oct. 3 Antlerless CG or CM Elk Area 033 25
Peshastin B Nov. 10-Dec. 31 Any Elk CG or CM Elk Area 033 25
Taneum Nov. 4-8 Antlerless YG or YM GMU 336 150
Manastash A Nov. 4-8 Antlerless YG or YM GMU 340 300
Umtanum Nov. 4-8 Antlerless YG or YM GMU 342 350
Little Naches A Nov. 4-8 Antlerless YG or YM GMU 346 250
Little Naches B Oct. 1-10 3-Pt. Min. YG or YM GMU 346 19
Nile Nov. 4-8 Antlerless YG or YM GMU 352 75
Bumping Nov. 4-8 Antlerless YG or YM GMU 356 300
Bethel B Nov. 4-8 Antlerless YG or YM GMU 360 100
Rimrock B Nov. 4-8 Antlerless YG or YM GMU 364 350
Cowiche B Nov. 4-8 Antlerless YG or YM GMU 368 200
Willapa Hills Nov. 11-15 Antlerless WG or WM GMU 506 100
Packwood Nov. 11-15 Antlerless WG or WM GMU 516 25
Winston B Nov. 11-15 Antlerless WG or WM GMU 520 30
Margaret B Nov. 11-15 Antlerless WG or WM GMU 524 30
Ryderwood Nov. 11-15 Antlerless WG or WM GMU 530 75
Coweeman B Nov. 11-15 Antlerless WG or WM GMU 550 50
Toutle B Nov. 11-15 Antlerless WG or WM GMU 556 50
Marble Nov. 11-15 Antlerless WG or WM GMU 558 60
Carlton Oct 1-10 3-Pt. Min. WG or WM Elk Area 057 5
West Goat Rocks Oct. 1-10 3-Pt. Min. WG or WM Elk Area 058 5
Mt. Adams Oct. 1-10 3-Pt. Min. WG or WM Elk Area 059 5
Lewis River B Nov. 11-15 Antlerless WG or WM GMU 560 75
Siouxon Nov. 11-15 Antlerless WG or WM GMU 572 50
Minot Peak Nov. 11-15 Antlerless WG or WM GMU 660 10
Williams Creek Nov. 11-15 Antlerless WG or WM GMU 673 50
Curtis Dec. 20-31 Antlerless WG or WM Elk Area 050 50
Boisfort A Jan. 1-15, 1999 Antlerless Only WG or WM Elk Area 054 50
East Valley Jan. 1-15, 1999 Antlerless Only WG or WM Elk Area 055 25
Muzzleloader Bull Permit Hunts (Only muzzleloader elk tag holders may apply.)
Blue Creek B Oct. 1-10 3 Pt. Min. BM GMU 154 1
Dayton B Oct. 1-10 3 Pt. Min. BM GMU 162 1
Tucannon B Oct. 1-10 3 Pt. Min. BM GMU 166 1
Wenaha C Oct. 1-10 3 Pt. Min. BM GMU 169 2
Mountain View B Oct. 1-10 3 Pt. Min. BM GMU 172 1
Peola C Oct. 1-10 3 Pt. Min. BM GMU 178 1
Couse B Oct. 1-10 3 Pt. Min. BM GMU 181 1
Grande Ronde B Oct. 1-10 3 Pt. Min. BM GMU 186 1
Naneum C Oct. 1-10 3 Pt. Min. CM GMU 328 2
Quilomene C Oct. 1-10 3 Pt. Min. CM GMU 329, 330 4
Peaches Ridge B Oct. 1-10 3 Pt. Min. YM GMUs 336, 346 20
Observatory B Oct. 1-10 3 Pt. Min. YM GMUs 340, 342 19
Goose Prairie B Oct. 1-10 3 Pt. Min. YM GMUs 352, 356 5
Bethel C Oct. 1-10 3 Pt. Min. YM GMU 360 3
Rimrock C Oct. 1-10 3 Pt. Min. YM GMU 364 15
Cowiche C Oct. 1-10 3 Pt. Min. YM GMU 368 50
Winston C Oct. 1-10 3 Pt. Min. WM GMU 520 16
Margaret C Oct. 1-10 3 Pt. Min. WM GMU 524 5
Coweeman C Oct. 1-10 3 Pt. Min. WM GMU 550 3
Toutle C Oct. 1-10 3 Pt. Min. WM GMU 556 22
Lewis River C Oct. 1-10 3 Pt. Min. WM GMU 560 2
Dickey B Oct. 1-10 3 Pt. Min. WM GMU 602 1
Olympic B Oct. 1-10 3 Pt. Min. WM GMU 621 3
Muzzleloader Permit Hunts (Only muzzleloader elk tag holders may apply.)
Blue Creek C 12/1/98-1/31/99 Antlerless Only BM GMU 154 50
Peola D Oct. 10-16 Spike or Antlerless BM GMU 178 50
Couse C Oct. 10-16 Spike or Antlerless BM GMU 181 50
Couse D Dec. 1-31 Antlerless Only BM GMU 181 50
Couse E Jan. 1-31, 1999 Antlerless Only BM GMU 181 50
Stella Nov. 26-Dec. 15 3 Pt. or Antlerless WM GMU 504 100
Boisfort B Jan. 16-31, 1999 Antlerless Only WM Elk Area 054 50
Yale Nov. 26-Dec. 15 Any Elk WM GMU 554 75
Toledo Jan. 2-16, 1999 Antlerless Only WM Elk Area 029 75
North River Nov. 26-Dec. 15 Antlerless Only WM GMU 658 20
Archery Bull Permit Hunts (Only archery elk tag holders may apply.)
Blue Creek D Sept. 1-14 3 Pt. Min. BA GMU 154 1
Dayton C Sept. 1-14 3 Pt. Min. BA GMU 162 3
Tucannon C Sept. 1-14 3 Pt. Min. BA GMU 166 1
Wenaha D Sept. 1-14 3 Pt. Min. BA GMU 169 8
Mountain View C Sept. 1-14 3 Pt. Min. BA GMU 172 4
Peola D Sept. 1-14 3 Pt. Min. BA GMU 178 1
Couse F Sept. 1-14 3 Pt. Min. BA GMU 181 1
Grande Ronde C Sept. 1-14 3 Pt. Min. BA GMU 186 1
Naneum D Sept. 1-14 3 Pt. Min. CA GMU 328 77
Quilomene D Sept. 1-14 3 Pt. Min. CA GMU 329, 330 23
Peaches Ridge C Sept. 1-14 3 Pt. Min. YA GMUs 336, 346 50
Observatory C Sept. 1-14 3 Pt. Min. YA GMUs 340, 342 26
Goose Prairie C Sept. 1-14 3 Pt. Min. YA GMUs 352, 356 26
Bethel D Sept. 1-14 3 Pt. Min. YA GMU 360 48
Rimrock D Sept. 1-14 3 Pt. Min. YA GMU 364 82
Cowiche D Sept. 1-14 3 Pt. Min. YA GMU 368 5
Winston D Sept. 1-14 3 Pt. Min. WA GMU 520 8
Margaret D Sept. 1-14 3 Pt. Min. WA GMU 524 9
Coweeman D Sept. 1-14 3 Pt. Min. WA GMU 550 49
Toutle D Sept. 1-14 3 Pt. Min. WA GMU 556 89
Lewis River D Sept. 1-14 3 Pt. Min. WA GMU 560 5
Dickey C Sept. 1-14 3 Pt. Min. WA GMU 602 23
Olympic C Sept. 1-14 3 Pt. Min. WA GMU 621 68
Advanced Hunter Education (AHE) Graduate Special Elk Permit Hunts (Only AHE graduates may apply.)
Margaret E Oct. 1-10 3-Pt. Min or Antlerless Any Elk Tag GMU 524 15
Quinault Ridge Oct. 1-10 3-Pt. Min or Antlerless Any Elk Tag GMU 638 5
South Bank A Jan. 1-15, 1999 Antlerless Only Any Elk Tag Elk Area 062 5
South Bank B Jan. 16-31, 1999 Antlerless Only Any Elk Tag Elk Area 062 5
Skookumchuck Oct. 1-10 3-Pt. Min. or Antlerless Any Elk Tag GMU 667 2
Cle Elum Nov. 25-Dec. 8 Antlerless Only YM, CM ML 910 50
Persons of Disability Only - Special Elk Permit Hunts
Quilomene E Nov. 1-7 3 Pt. Min. or Antlerless CG or CM GMU 329 5
Manastash B Nov. 1-7 3 Pt. Min. or Antlerless YG or YM GMU 340 5
Little Naches C Oct. 1-10 3 Pt. Min. or Antlerless YG or YM GMU 346 5
Trout Creek Hill Nov. 9-15 3 Pt. Min. or Antlerless WG or WM GMU 572 1
Eleven Mile Ridge Nov. 9-15 3 Pt. Min. or Antlerless WG or WM GMU 572 1
Red Mountain Nov. 9-15 3 Pt. Min. or Antlerless WG or WM GMU 572 1
Paradise Ridge Nov. 9-15 3 Pt. Min. or Antlerless WG or WM GMU 572 1
Proverbial Creek Nov. 9-15 3 Pt. Min. or Antlerless WG or WM GMU 572 1
Lone Butte Nov. 9-15 Any Elk Any Elk Tag GMU 560 1
Centralia Mine A Oct. 31-Nov. 1 Antlerless Only Any Elk Tag Portion of GMU 667 4
Centralia Mine B Nov. 7-8 Antlerless Only Any Elk Tag Portion of GMU 667 4
South Bank C Dec. 10-20 Antlerless Only Any Elk Tag Elk Area 062 3
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Reviser's note: The spelling errors in the above section occurred in the copy filed by the agency and appear in the Register pursuant to the requirements of RCW 34.08.040.