PROPOSED RULES
FISH AND WILDLIFE
Original Notice.
Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 06-10-088.
Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: Adopt WAC 232-28-430 2006-07 Migratory waterfowl seasons and regulations and repeal WAC 232-28-429 2005-06 Migratory waterfowl seasons and regulations.
Hearing Location(s): Best Western Cotton Tree Inn and Convention Center, 2300 Market Street, Mount Vernon, WA 98273, (360) 428-5678, on August 4-5, 2006, at 8:00 a.m.
Date of Intended Adoption: August 4, 2006.
Submit Written Comments to: Attn: Wildlife Program Commission Meeting Public Comments, 600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA 98501-1091, e-mail Wildthing@dfw.wa.gov, fax (360) 902-2162, by Monday, July 10, 2006.
Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Nancy Burkhart by August 1, 2006, TTY (360) 902-2207 or (360) 902-2267.
Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: The new WAC specifies legal season dates, bag limits, and open areas to hunt waterfowl, coot, and snipe for the 2006-07 hunting season. WAC 232-28-430 replaces WAC 232-28-429.
Reasons Supporting Proposal: Waterfowl seasons and regulations are developed based on cooperative management programs among states of the Pacific Flyway and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, considering population status and other biological parameters. The rule establishes waterfowl seasons and regulations to provide recreational opportunity, control waterfowl damage, and conserve the waterfowl resources of Washington.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 77.12.047.
Statute Being Implemented: RCW 77.12.047.
Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.
Name of Proponent: Washington fish and wildlife commission, governmental.
Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting and Implementation: Dave Brittell, Natural Resources Building, Olympia, (360) 902-2504; and Enforcement: Bruce Bjork, Natural Resources Building, Olympia, (360) 902-2932.
No small business economic impact statement has been prepared under chapter 19.85 RCW. These rules regulate recreational hunters and do not directly regulate small business.
A cost-benefit analysis is not required under RCW 34.05.328. Not hydraulics rules.
Evan Jacoby
Rules Coordinator
DUCKS
Statewide
Oct. 14-18, 2006 and Oct. 21, 2006 - Jan. 28, 2007.
Special youth hunting weekend open only to hunters 15 years of
age or under (must be accompanied by an adult at least 18
years old who is not hunting): Sept. 23-24, 2006.
Daily bag limit: 7 ducks, to include not more than 2 hen
mallard, 1 pintail, 3 scaup, 1 canvasback, 2 redhead, 1
harlequin, 4 scoter, and 4 long-tailed duck.
Possession limit: 14 ducks, to include not more than 4 hen
mallard, 2 pintail, 6 scaup, 2 canvasback, 4 redhead, 1
harlequin, 8 scoter, and 8 long-tailed duck.
Season limit: 1 harlequin
WRITTEN AUTHORIZATION REQUIRED TO HUNT SEA DUCKS.
All persons hunting sea ducks (harlequin, scoter, long-tailed duck) in Western Washington are required to obtain a written authorization and harvest report from the Washington department of fish and wildlife. Hunters who held a 2005-06 authorization and returned the harvest report prior to the deadline will be mailed a 2006-07 authorization in early October. Hunters who did not possess a 2005-06 authorization must fill out an application (available at Washington department of fish and wildlife, Olympia and regional offices). Application forms must be delivered to a department office no later than September 25 or postmarked on or before September 25 in order for applicants to be mailed a 2006-07 authorization before the season starts. No applications will be accepted after October 31, 2006. Immediately after taking a sea duck into possession, hunters must record in ink the information required on the harvest report. Return of the harvest report is mandatory. By February 15, 2007, hunters must return the harvest report to the Washington department of fish and wildlife, or report harvest information on the department's internet reporting system. Hunters failing to comply with reporting requirements will be ineligible to participate in the 2007-08 sea duck season.
COOT (Mudhen)
Same areas, dates (including youth hunting weekend), and shooting hours as the general duck season.
Daily bag limit: 25 coots.
Possession limit: 25 coots.
COMMON SNIPE
Same areas, dates (except youth hunting weekend), and shooting hours as the general duck season.
Daily bag limit: 8 snipe.
Possession limit: 16 snipe.
GEESE (except Brant)
Special youth hunting weekend open only to hunters 15 years of age or under (must be accompanied by an adult at least 18 years old who is not hunting): Sept. 23-24, 2006, statewide except Western Washington Goose Management Areas 2A and 2B.
Daily bag limit: 4 Canada geese.
Possession limit: 8 Canada geese.
Western Washington Goose Seasons
Goose Management Area 1
Island, Skagit, Snohomish counties.
Oct. 14, 2006 - Jan. 7, 2007 for snow, Ross', or blue geese.
Oct. 14-26, 2006 and Nov. 4, 2006 - Jan. 28, 2007 for other geese (except Brant).
Daily bag limit: 4 geese.
Possession limit: 8 geese.
WRITTEN AUTHORIZATION REQUIRED TO HUNT SNOW GEESE.
All persons hunting snow geese in this season are required to obtain a written authorization and harvest report from the Washington department of fish and wildlife. Hunters who held a 2005-06 authorization and returned the harvest report prior to the deadline will be mailed a 2006-07 authorization in early October. Hunters who did not possess a 2005-06 authorization must fill out an application (available at Washington department of fish and wildlife, Olympia and regional offices). Application forms must be delivered to a department office no later than September 25 or postmarked on or before September 25 in order for applicants to be mailed a 2006-07 authorization before the season starts. No applications will be accepted after October 31, 2006. Immediately after taking a snow goose into possession, hunters must record in ink the information required on the harvest report. Return of the harvest report is mandatory. By February 15, 2007, hunters must return the harvest report to the Washington department of fish and wildlife, or report harvest information on the department's internet reporting system. Hunters failing to comply with reporting requirements will be ineligible to participate in the 2007-08 snow goose season.
It is unlawful to discharge a firearm for the purpose of
hunting waterfowl within 100 feet of any paved road on Fir
Island in Skagit County, from December 10, 2006 through
January 7, 2007. While hunting snow geese on Fir Island, if a
hunter is convicted of 1) trespass, 2) shooting within 100
feet of a public highway, 3) discharging a firearm for the
purpose of hunting waterfowl within 100 feet of any paved road
on Fir Island in Skagit County, from December 10, 2006 through
January 7, 2007, or 4) exceeding the daily bag limit for snow
geese, written authorization will be invalidated for the
remainder of the 2006-07 snow goose season and an
authorization will not be issued for the 2007-08 snow goose
season.
QUALITY HUNTING AREAS IN GOOSE MANAGEMENT AREA 1
Hunters possessing written authorization to hunt snow geese in Goose Management Area 1 can apply for a special authorization to access private lands around Fir Island enrolled in a new quality snow goose hunting program. Hunters must apply for special authorization to hunt on these special areas by September 29, 2006, using the department's internet application system. A random drawing will select hunters for participation, and special hunt authorizations will be mailed prior to the season. Up to 3 individuals possessing snow goose authorizations can hunt with the successful applicant on each hunt day. Successful applicants must check in with the WDFW hunt coordinator at least 24 hours prior to hunting and all hunters must hunt over decoys. Special authorizations are not valid for commercial uses. Authorizations are valid for one week (only on Wednesday and Saturday) and only on private lands specified by the WDFW hunt coordinator. Hunters will be assigned at random to private farms participating in the program.
Goose Management Area 2A
Cowlitz and Wahkiakum counties, and that part of Clark County north of the Washougal River.
Open in all areas except Ridgefield NWR from 1/2 hour after
the start of official hunting hours for migratory game birds
to 4:00 p.m., Saturdays, Sundays, and Wednesdays only, Nov.
11-26, 2006 and Dec. 6, 2006 - Jan. 28, 2007, except closed
Dec. 24, 2006. Ridgefield NWR open from 1/2 hour after the
start of official hunting hours for migratory game birds to
4:00 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays only, Nov. 14-25,
2006 and Dec. 7, 2006 - Jan. 20, 2007, except closed Nov. 23,
2006.
Goose Management Area 2B
Pacific County.
Open from 1/2 hour after the start of official hunting hours
for migratory game birds to 4:00 p.m., Saturdays and
Wednesdays only, Oct. 14, 2006 - Jan. 13, 2007.
Bag limits for Goose Management Areas 2A and 2B:
Daily bag limit: 4 geese, to include not more than 1 dusky Canada goose, 1 Aleutian goose, and 2 cackling geese.
Possession limit: 8 geese, to include not more than 1 dusky Canada goose, 2 Aleutian geese, and 4 cackling geese.
Season limit: 1 dusky Canada goose.
A dusky Canada goose is defined as a dark-breasted (as shown
in the Munsell color chart 10 YR, 5 or less) Canada goose with
a culmen (bill) length of 40-50 mm. A cackling goose is
defined as a goose with a culmen (bill) length of 32 mm or
less.
Special Provisions for Goose Management Areas 2A and 2B:
The Canada goose season for Goose Management Areas 2A and 2B will be closed early if dusky Canada goose harvests exceed area quotas which collectively total 80 geese. The fish and wildlife commission has authorized the director to implement emergency area closures in accordance with the following quotas: A total of 80 duskys, to be distributed 15 for Zone 1 (Ridgefield NWR); 25 for Zone 2 (Cowlitz County south of the Kalama River); 20 for Zone 3 (Clark County except Ridgefield NWR); 10 for Zone 4 (Cowlitz County north of the Kalama River and Wahkiakum County); and 10 for Zone 5 (Pacific County). Quotas may be shifted to other zones during the season to optimize use of the statewide quota and minimize depredation.
Hunting is only permitted by written authorization from the
Washington department of fish and wildlife. Hunters who
maintained a valid 2005-06 written authorization will be
mailed a 2006-07 authorization card prior to the 2006-07
season. New hunters and those who did not maintain a valid
2005-06 authorization must review goose identification
training materials and score a minimum of 80% on a goose
identification test to receive written authorization. Hunters
who fail a test must wait 28 days before retesting, and will
not be issued a reciprocal authorization until that time.
Information on training materials and testing dates/locations
is available at the Olympia and regional offices.
With written authorization, hunters will receive a harvest
report. Hunters must carry the authorization card and harvest
report while hunting. Immediately after taking a Canada goose
(dusky, lesser/Taverner, cackling, or other subspecies) into
possession, hunters must record in ink the information
required on the harvest report. Hunters must go directly to
the nearest check station and have geese tagged when leaving a
hunt site, before 6:00 p.m. If a hunter takes the season bag
limit of one dusky Canada goose or does not comply with
requirements listed above regarding checking of birds and
recording harvest on the harvest report, written authorization
will be invalidated and the hunter will not be able to hunt
Canada geese in Goose Management Areas 2A and 2B for the
remainder of the season and the special late Canada goose
season. It is unlawful to fail to comply with all provisions
listed above for Goose Management Areas 2A and 2B.
Special Late Canada Goose Season for Goose Management Area 2A:
Open to Washington department of fish and wildlife advanced hunter education (AHE) program graduates and youth hunters (15 years of age or under, who are accompanied by an AHE hunter) possessing a valid 2006-07 southwest Washington Canada goose hunting authorization, in areas with goose damage in Goose Management Area 2A on the following days, from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.:
Saturdays and Wednesdays only, Feb. 3 - Mar. 10, 2007.
Daily bag limit: 4 Canada geese, to include not more than 1
dusky Canada goose, 1 Aleutian goose, and 2 cackling geese.
Possession limit: 8 Canada geese, to include not more than 1 dusky Canada goose, 1 Aleutian goose, and 4 cackling geese.
Season limit: 1 dusky Canada goose.
A dusky Canada goose is defined as a dark-breasted Canada
goose (as shown in the Munsell color chart 10 YR, 5 or less)
with a culmen (bill) length of 40-50 mm. A cackling goose is
defined as a goose with a culmen (bill) length of 32 mm or
less.
Hunters qualifying for the season will be placed on a list for
participation in this hunt. Washington department of fish and
wildlife will assist landowners with contacting qualified
hunters to participate in damage control hunts on specific
lands incurring goose damage. Participation in this hunt will
depend on the level of damage experienced by landowners. The
special late Canada goose season will be closed by emergency
action if the harvest of dusky Canada geese exceeds 85 for the
regular and late seasons. All provisions listed above for
Goose Management Area 2A regarding written authorization,
harvest reporting, and checking requirements also apply to the
special late season; except hunters must confirm their
participation at least 24 hours in advance by calling the
goose hunting hotline (listed on hunting authorization), and
hunters must check out by 5:00 p.m. on each hunt day
regardless of success. It is unlawful to fail to comply with
all provisions listed above for the special late season in
Goose Management Area 2A.
Goose Management Area 3
Includes all parts of Western Washington not included in Goose Management Areas 1, 2A, and 2B.
Oct. 14-26, 2006 and Nov. 4, 2006 - Jan. 28, 2007.
Daily bag limit: 4 geese.
Possession limit: 8 geese.
Eastern Washington Goose Seasons
Goose Management Area 4
Adams, Benton, Chelan, Douglas, Franklin, Grant, Kittitas, Lincoln, Okanogan, Spokane, and Walla Walla counties.
Oct. 14-16, 2006, and Saturdays, Sundays, and Wednesdays only
during Oct. 21, 2006 - Jan. 21, 2007; Nov. 10, 23, and 24,
2006; Dec. 25, 26, 28, and 29, 2006; January 15, 2006; and
every day Jan. 22-28, 2007.
Goose Management Area 5
Includes all parts of Eastern Washington not included in Goose Management Area 4.
Oct. 14-16, 2006, every day from Oct. 21, 2006 - Jan. 28, 2007.
Bag limits for all Eastern Washington Goose Management Areas:
Daily bag limit: 4 geese.
Possession limit: 8 geese.
BRANT
Open in Skagit County only on the following dates:
Jan. 20, 21, 24, 27, 28, 2007.
If the 2006-07 preseason brant population in Skagit County is
below 6,000 (as determined by the early January survey), the
brant season in Skagit County will be canceled.
Open in Pacific County only on the following dates:
Jan. 13, 14, 17, 20, 21, 2007.
WRITTEN AUTHORIZATION REQUIRED:
All hunters participating in this season are required to obtain a written authorization and harvest report from the Washington department of fish and wildlife. Hunters who held a 2005-06 authorization and reported harvest prior to the deadline will be mailed a 2006-07 authorization in November. Hunters who did not possess a 2005-06 authorization must fill out an application (available at Washington department of fish and wildlife regional offices). Application forms must be delivered to a department office no later than 5:00 p.m. on November 8, or postmarked on or before November 8, after which applicants will be mailed a 2006-07 authorization. Late applications will not be accepted. Immediately after taking a brant into possession, hunters must record in ink the information required on the harvest report. Return of the harvest report is mandatory. By February 15, 2007, hunters must return the harvest report to the Washington department of fish and wildlife, or report harvest information on the department's internet reporting system. Hunters failing to comply with reporting requirements will be ineligible to participate in the 2007-08 brant season.
Bag limits for Skagit and Pacific counties:
Daily bag limit: 2 brant.
Possession limit: 4 brant.
SWANS
Season closed statewide.
FALCONRY SEASONS
DUCKS, COOTS, AND SNIPE (Falconry)
(Bag limits include geese and mourning doves.)
Oct. 14-18, 2006 and Oct. 21, 2006 - Jan. 28, 2007 statewide.
Daily bag limit: 3, straight or mixed bag with geese and
mourning doves during established seasons.
Possession limit: 6, straight or mixed bag with geese and
mourning doves during established seasons.
GEESE (Falconry)
(Bag limits include ducks, coot, snipe, and mourning doves.)
Goose Management Area 1: Oct. 14, 2006 - Jan. 7, 2007.
Goose Management Area 2A: Saturdays, Sundays, and Wednesdays
only, Nov. 11-26, 2006 and Dec. 6, 2006 – Jan. 28, 2007,
except closed Dec. 24, 2006.
Goose Management Area 2B: Wednesdays and Saturdays only, Oct.
14, 2006 - Jan. 13, 2007.
Goose Management Areas 3, 4, and 5: Oct. 14-16, 2006 and Nov.
4, 2006 - Jan. 28, 2007.
Daily bag limit for all areas: 3 geese (except brant),
straight or mixed bag with ducks, coots, snipe, and mourning
doves during established seasons.
Possession limit for all areas: 6 geese (except brant),
straight or mixed bag with ducks, coots, snipe, and mourning
doves during established seasons.
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The following section of the Washington Administrative Code is repealed:
| WAC 232-28-429 | 2005-06 Migratory waterfowl seasons and regulations |