WSR 23-23-161
PERMANENT RULES
DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND WILDLIFE
[Order 23-13—Filed November 21, 2023, 10:56 a.m., effective December 22, 2023]
Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing.
Purpose: WAC 220-412-090 Multi-season deer and elk tags. This rule change created a special subset of multi-season deer tags that will be available only to those hunters who are eligible to participate in the Washington department of fish and wildlife's (WDFW's) chronic wasting disease incentive program (CWDIP).
The changes to WAC 220-412-090 create 100 multi-season deer tags which serve as an incentive to hunters to participate in the WDFW chronic wasting disease (CWD) surveillance program. These 100 multi-season deer tags will be awarded at no cost by random draw to hunters that meet the eligibility requirements of CWDIP. To be eligible to participate in the CWDIP, a hunter must have submitted their deer or elk for CWD sampling to WDFW staff during the preceding license year. These tags are valid beginning in license year 2024 and the hunting season occurs between September 1 through December 31. The special hunt is statewide in GMUs that allow general seasons for archery, muzzleloader, or modern firearm hunters. This rule will provide for an overall increase in the total number of multi-season deer tags offered for each license year starting in 2024.
CWD is a fatal illness of free-ranging deer, elk, moose, and caribou. While CWD has not been detected in Washington, the disease continues to spread and is found as close as Idaho. Animals infected with CWD will look healthy for many months before showing signs of the disease; however, during that time, they are spreading the disease. It is therefore important for WDFW to detect the disease early to preserve and protect ungulates of the state. CWDIP will assist WDFW in the early detection and prevention of this disease.
Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 220-412-090.
Adopted under notice filed as WSR 23-19-041 on September 13, 2023.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 0, Amended 1, Repealed 0.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: October 27, 2023.
Kelly Susewind
Director
OTS-4765.2
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 20-12-080, filed 6/1/20, effective 7/2/20)
WAC 220-412-090Multi-season deer and elk tags.
Multi-season deer and elk tags allow hunters who draw and purchase those tags to hunt during more than one general season.
The department will conduct an annual drawing for multi-season tags.
(1) Multi-season deer and elk tags:
(a) To apply for multi-season deer and elk tags, applicants must purchase a multi-season application for deer and/or elk.
(b) The department will not refund or exchange applications for multi-season deer and elk after they submit the application.
(c) An applicant may purchase only one application for a multi-season tag for each species.
(d) Applicants will be randomly drawn by computer selection.
(e) Incomplete applications will not be accepted.
(f) Multi-season deer and elk drawings will be held in April.
(2) Multi-season tags:
(a) Hunters who are drawn will be required to purchase their multi-season tag by July 31.
(b) Multi-season tags are not transferable.
(c) Multi-season tags not purchased by successful applicants prior to August 1 may be made available for purchase to nonsuccessful applicants at the discretion of the department.
(3) Multi-season tag holders are required to follow all rules and restrictions, including bag limits, for general season hunters, for the species, within the game management unit or area hunted.
Number of Tags | Dates | Game Management Units (GMUs) | Legal Animal | Eligible Hunters |
Multi-season Deer Tags | | |
8500 | Sept. 1 - December 31 within general seasons and regulations established by the commission for deer | Statewide in those GMUs with general seasons for archery, muzzleloader, or modern firearm hunters | Any legal deer consistent with the game management unit or area restrictions | Any licensed deer hunter |
50 | Sept. 1 - December 31 within general seasons and regulations established by the commission for deer | Statewide in those GMUs with general seasons for archery, muzzleloader, or modern firearm hunters | Any legal deer consistent with the game management unit or area restrictions | Hunter education instructors meeting qualifications and selection criteria established by the department |
100 | Sept. 1 - December 31 within general seasons and regulations established by the commission for deer | Statewide in those GMUs with general seasons for archery, muzzleloader, or modern firearm hunters | Any legal deer consistent with the game management unit or area restrictions | Any licensed hunter that meets the eligibility requirements of the WDFW Chronic Wasting Disease Incentive Programa |
Multi-season Elk Tags | | |
1000 | Sept. 1 - December 31 within general seasons and regulations established by the commission for elk | Statewide in those GMUs with general seasons for archery, muzzleloader, or modern firearm hunters | Any legal elk consistent with the game management unit or area restrictions | Any licensed elk hunter |
25 | Sept. 1 - December 31 within general seasons and regulations established by the commission for elk | Statewide in those GMUs with general seasons for archery, muzzleloader, or modern firearm hunters | Any legal elk consistent with the game management unit or area restrictions | Hunter education instructors meeting qualifications and selection criteria established by the department |
a | To be eligible, hunters must have submitted their deer or elk for CWD sampling to WDFW staff during the preceding license year. |