WSR 19-15-028
PERMANENT RULES
DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND WILDLIFE
[Order 19-148—Filed July 10, 2019, 10:50 p.m., effective August 10, 2019]
Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing.
Purpose: The department amended WAC 220-415-090. The amendment provides more recreational hunting opportunity in eastern Washington by increasing the bag limit to two bears per license year. The season dates have changed to open August 1 statewide.
Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 220-415-090.
Adopted under notice filed as WSR 19-10-025 on April 23, 2019.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 0, Amended 1, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Date Adopted: June 28, 2019.
Larry M. Carpenter, Chair
Fish and Wildlife Commission
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 18-11-061, filed 5/11/18, effective 6/11/18)
WAC 220-415-090((2018))2019-2020 Fall black bear hunting seasons and regulations.
It is unlawful to fail to comply with the provisions below. A violation of this section is punishable under RCW
77.15.410,
77.15.245, or
77.15.280.
Black Bear Management Unit | Season | Hunt Area |
Coastal | ((Aug. 1 - Nov. 15, 2018)) Aug. 1 - Nov. 15, 2019 Aug. 1 - Nov. 15, 2020 | GMUs 501, 504, 506, 530, 601, 602, 603, 607-621, 636-651, 658-663, 672-684 |
Puget Sound | ((Aug. 1 - Nov. 15, 2018)) Aug. 1 - Nov. 15, 2019 Aug. 1 - Nov. 15, 2020 | GMUs 407, 454, 624, 627, 633, 652, 666, 667 |
North Cascades | ((Aug. 1 - Nov. 15, 2018)) Aug. 1 - Nov. 15, 2019 Aug. 1 - Nov. 15, 2020 | GMUs 418((-421)), 426-450, 460 |
South Cascades | ((Aug. 15 - Nov. 15, 2018 Aug. 15))Aug. 1 - Nov. 15, 2019 Aug. ((15))1 - Nov. 15, 2020 | GMUs 466, 485, 503, 505, 510-520, 524, 550-574, 653, 654 |
Okanogan | ((Aug. 15 - Nov. 15, 2018 Aug. 15))Aug. 1 - Nov. 15, 2019 Aug. ((15))1 - Nov. 15, 2020 | GMUs 203, 209-243 |
East Cascades | ((Aug. 1 - Nov. 15, 2018)) Aug. 1 - Nov. 15, 2019 Aug. 1 - Nov. 15, 2020 | GMUs 244-247, 249-251, 328, 329-368, 382, 388, 578 |
Northeastern A | ((Sept. 1 - Nov. 15, 2018 Sept.))Aug. 1 - Nov. 15, 2019 ((Sept.))Aug. 1 - Nov. 15, 2020 | GMUs 101-121, 204 |
Northeastern B | ((Aug. 15 - Nov. 15, 2018 Aug. 15))Aug. 1 - Nov. 15, 2019 Aug. ((15))1 - Nov. 15, 2020 | GMUs 124-130 |
Blue Mountains | ((Sept. 1 - Nov. 15, 2018 Sept.))Aug. 1 - Nov. 15, 2019 ((Sept.))Aug. 1 - Nov. 15, 2020 | GMUs 145-154, 162-186 |
Columbia Basin | ((Aug. 1 - Nov. 15, 2018)) Aug. 1 - Nov. 15, 2019 Aug. 1 - Nov. 15, 2020 | GMUs 133, 136, 139, 142, 248, 254, 260-290, 371-381 |
Long Island | ((Sept. 1 - Nov. 15, 2018 Sept.))Aug. 1 - Nov. 15, 2019 ((Sept.))Aug. 1 - Nov. 15, 2020 | GMU 699 |
Bag Limit: Two (2) black bear per annual hunting season((, only one of which may be taken in Eastern Washington)).
Area Restriction: Special deer permit required to hunt black bear in GMU 485. ((GMUs 410 and 422 are closed for black bear hunting.)) Hunters that choose to hunt in GMUs located in grizzly bear recovery areas, as identified by the department, must successfully complete the annual WDFW online bear identification test or equivalent test from another state and carry proof of successful completion.
License Required: A valid big game hunting license, which includes black bear as a species option, is required to hunt black bear. One black bear transport tag is included with a big game hunting license that has black bear as a species option. A second black bear transport tag must be purchased to take a second bear.
Hunting Method: Hunters may use any lawful big game modern firearm, archery, or muzzleloader equipment for hunting black bear. The use of hounds and bait to hunt black bear is prohibited statewide.
Other Requirements: Hunters that choose to hunt in GMUs located in grizzly bear recovery areas as identified by the department must successfully complete the annual WDFW online bear identification test with a passing score (80% or higher) or carry proof that they have passed an equivalent test from another state. The WDFW test may be taken repeatedly until a passing score is achieved. All hunters must carry proof of passing a bear identification test while hunting in the GMUs identified by the department.
Submitting Biological Samples and Bear Teeth: Successful bear hunters must comply with harvest reporting and submission of biological samples including the black bear premolar tooth located behind the canine tooth of the upper jaw. Failure to comply with the submission of biological samples is a misdemeanor pursuant to RCW
77.15.280.