Definitions used in rules of the commission are defined in RCW 77.08.010. In addition, unless otherwise provided:

(1) A "valid" license, permit, tag, stamp, or catch record card means a license, permit, tag, stamp, or catch record card that was issued to the bearer for the current season and is required to hunt, fish, or possess wildlife and has not been altered except as provided by rule of the commission.

(2) "Falconry" means possession, control, or use of a raptor for the purpose of hunting and free flight training.

(3) "Handgun" means any pistol, revolver, or short firearm with a barrel length of less than ((sixteen))16 inches and does not have a shoulder stock.

(4) "Body-gripping trap" means a trap that grips an animal's body or body part. Body-gripping trap includes, but is not limited to, steel-jawed leghold traps, padded-jaw leghold traps, Conibear-type traps, neck snares, and nonstrangling foot snares. Cage and box traps, suitcase-type live beaver traps, and common rat and mouse traps are not considered body-gripping traps.

(5) "Raw fur" means a pelt that has not been processed for purposes of retail sale.

(6) "Padded foot-hold trap" means a trap designed and set to grip the foot of a wild animal, both jaws of which are covered with rubber pads having a minimum thickness of one-eighth inch.

(1) Game birds include:

(2) Predatory birds include:

(1) Except as authorized by permit of the director or as otherwise provided by this section, it is unlawful to possess wildlife found dead. Wildlife found dead includes naturally shed antlers from deer, elk, and moose. Naturally shed antlers of deer, elk, and moose may be collected without a permit on open public land or private land with permission.

(2) It is unlawful to collect naturally shed antlers from deer, elk, and moose while trespassing, including on closed public lands or otherwise without permission.

(3) Except as provided in subsection (4) of this section, an individual may remove and dispose of wildlife found dead on his or her property or an adjoining public roadway. Before removing the wildlife, the individual shall, by telephone, notify the department or the Washington state patrol communications office, and shall provide his or her name, address, telephone number, and the description and location of the wildlife. The individual may remove the wildlife for disposal only, and may not retain the wildlife for personal use or consumption. Other laws and rules may apply to the disposal, including rules of the department of health (WAC 246-203-121). Wildlife removed under this subsection remain the property of the state.

(4) It is permissible to salvage and transport a deer or elk that is accidentally killed by a motor vehicle collision.

(a) Big game licenses and tags cannot be used for the purpose of salvaging motor vehicle-killed deer or elk.

(b) A salvage permit must be obtained from the department within 24 hours of taking possession of the animal. Permits may be obtained on the department's website or at department regional offices. The permit must remain with the meat until all edible parts are consumed.

(c) The entire carcass, including entrails, of the animal must be removed from the road right of way.

(d) In any WDFW management region where the department has detected chronic wasting disease, salvagers must submit to the department for chronic wasting disease sampling within five days of receiving a salvage permit:

(i) The whole head with at least three inches of the neck attached; or

(ii) Extracted lymph nodes to the department for chronic wasting disease sampling within five days of receiving a salvage permit.

(e) Any meat an individual deems unfit for human consumption or unusable animal parts must be disposed of pursuant to WAC 246-203-121. Individuals salvaging and consuming this meat do so at their own risk. The department makes no guarantee as to the fitness for consumption of deer or elk collected under a salvage permit.

(f) An individual may not kill an injured or wounded animal that they encounter for the purpose of salvage. Only a law enforcement officer or individuals or entities authorized by the department may euthanize an animal injured in a motor vehicle collision and that deer or elk may be taken for salvage.

(5) Any wildlife or wildlife parts taken, retrieved, collected, or possessed in violation of this section are subject to seizure and disposition under either or both RCW 77.15.100 and/or 77.15.070.

(1) It is unlawful to possess river otter, cougar, lynx, or bobcat taken in Washington without a department identification seal which has been attached to the raw pelt, on or off the carcass, ((prior to))after the pelt sealing deadline for the season it was harvested.

(2) The raw pelt of a bobcat or river otter must be presented to an authorized department employee, or authorized individual under permit with the department, for sealing by April 20th, and the associated harvest report must be submitted to the department by April 20th, following the close of the appropriate hunting or trapping season in which it was killed.

Any person who submits a bobcat pelt for sealing must also present a dried complete lower jaw (both sides) or all available portions of the lower jaw from the same animal, in such a manner that the canine tooth can be extracted for aging, to an authorized department employee, or authorized individual under permit with the department, at the time of sealing before a pelt seal will be issued. Bobcats being sent to WDFW licensed taxidermists or sold to WDFW licensed fur buyers may be sealed prior to jaw submission so long as the harvester signs a statement requiring that they will submit the jaw to the department by the April 20th deadline, following the close of the appropriate hunting or trapping season in which it was killed.

Any person who submits a bobcat or river otter pelt for mandatory sealing must have collected the following appropriate and accurate information from the harvester that is required for sealing: The harvester's name and WILD ID, date and location of kill, sex of the harvested animal, and harvest method.

(3) Any person who takes a cougar must present the raw pelt of the cougar, with evidence of sex attached, to an authorized department employee for sealing within three days (excluding weekends and holidays) of harvest.

Any person who takes a cougar must also present the cougar skull, in such a manner that teeth and biological samples can be extracted, to an authorized department employee at the time of sealing and provide the hunter's name, date and location of kill, and sex of the animal.

(4) It is unlawful to transport, or cause the transport, out of Washington a raw pelt of river otter, cougar, lynx, or bobcat taken in Washington without a department seal attached to the pelt.

(5) The raw pelt of a river otter, cougar, lynx, or bobcat taken outside Washington and imported into the state must be identified by a tag, seal or permit consistent with federal, state or country of origin laws and be accompanied by an invoice, declaration or permit specifying the number of pelts in the shipment.

(6) It is unlawful to possess an unlocked, broken, or otherwise open department seal for river otter, cougar, lynx, or bobcat unless the seal wire or band has been cut through and removed from a pelt that has been received and invoiced by a licensed taxidermist or fur dealer for processing or removed from a pelt that has been processed, except that individuals authorized by the department to seal pelts may possess open, unbroken seals.

(1) It is unlawful for a licensed taxidermist, wildlife meat cutter, or furdealer upon receiving fish or wildlife for mounting, tanning, cutting, packing, storage or processing to fail to record the following information:

(a) The taxidermist's name, address, and business phone;

(b) The date the ((item))shellfish or wildlife was received;

(c) The hunter/taker's printed name ((and)), address, phone number, hunting license WILD ID, and signature;

(d) The ((owner's name and address))name, address, and phone number of the person whom the fish, shellfish, or wildlife was received from;

(e) A description of ((the))all species received, including species type and sex;

(f) The county where ((taken (GMU if available)))harvested and date of harvest;

(g) The license, tag, permit, and seal number, if seal is required;

(h) The date the completed item was returned to the original customer.

(2) Such records must be maintained for a minimum of two years or as long as the wildlife or fish is retained by the taxidermist, wildlife meat cutter, or furdealer, whichever is longer, and shall be maintained in a central location at the principle place of business either in a ledger provided by the department or on sequentially numbered ((pre-printed))preprinted invoices provided by the taxidermist, wildlife meat cutter, or furdealer. Taxidermists, wildlife meat cutters, or furdealers opting to use preprinted invoices are required to maintain all sequentially numbered invoices, including voided documents.

(((2)))(3) All records and wildlife held pursuant to the statutes or regulations dealing with taxidermy, wildlife meat cutting, or furdealing must be open to inspection by a ((wildlife agent))fish and wildlife officer at reasonable times in accordance with the provisions of RCW ((77.12.095))77.15.096.

(((3)))(4) Licensed taxidermists, wildlife meat cutters, or furdealers who have complied with the ledger requirements established in this section shall be deemed to be in compliance with the notice and reporting requirements contained in WAC 220-413-030 and 220-200-120.

(1) Pursuant to RCW 77.32.155, individuals may apply for a director-authorized, once in a lifetime, one-license-year deferral of hunter education training. To qualify, the applicant for deferral and his or her accompanying, licensed hunter must comply with the following requirements:

(a) The applicant for deferral must:

(i) Be at least 10 years of age when applying for the deferral; and

(ii) Not have failed the hunter education training course within the previous 12 months, if ((he or she))they took the course.

(b) The accompanying, nondeferred licensed hunter, as defined in RCW 77.32.155, must be at least 18 years of age.

(c) To provide maximum supervision and to enhance safety afield, an accompanying, licensed hunter must supervise only one deferred hunter while afield.

(d) An accompanying hunter must remain close enough to the deferred hunter to have uninterrupted, unaided visual and auditory communication with the deferred hunter.

(2) Application procedures.

(a) Applicants for deferral must submit their applications to the department's hunter education division office in Olympia, Washington. Applications submitted without the required information will not be processed and will be returned to the applicant.

(b) Applicants for deferral must submit a nonrefundable application fee in the amount set forth in RCW 77.32.570 and 77.12.810.

(c) Deferral applications will be on forms prescribed by the department and may be made available to the public in both printed and electronic formats.

(3) License purchases.

(a) Individuals granted a deferral under this section will be authorized to purchase hunting licenses and tags for the license year during which the applicant requested a deferral. An applicant will not be authorized for future hunting license purchases in Washington state without first successfully completing a hunter education training course.

(b) Individuals deferred under this administrative regulation:

(i) Must purchase hunting licenses and tags in accordance with current licensing procedures;

(ii) Must pay all hunting license and tag fees established under current law; and

(iii) Are only eligible to participate in general hunting seasons and/or youth opportunities.

(4) If either the deferred education licensee or the required nondeferred accompanying person, hunting under the authority of RCW 77.32.155(2), is convicted of a violation or found to have committed an infraction of this title, ((except for a violation of unlawful hunting of wild birds, RCW 77.15.400 (1) through (3),)) the department may revoke all hunting licenses and tags and order a suspension of one or both the deferred education licensee and the nondeferred accompanying person's hunting privileges for one year.

(1) BLACK-TAILED DEER AUCTION PERMIT

(a) Season dates: September 1 - December 31

(b) Hunt Area: Those GMUs open to black-tailed deer hunting EXCEPT GMU 485 and those GMUs closed to black-tailed deer hunting by the fish and wildlife commission.

(c) Weapon type: Any legal weapon.

(d) Bag limit: One additional any buck black-tailed deer.

(e) Number of permit hunters selected: 1

(2) MULE DEER AUCTION PERMIT

(a) Season dates: September 1 - December 31

(b) Hunt Area: Those GMUs open to mule deer hunting EXCEPT those GMUs closed to mule deer hunting by the fish and wildlife commission.

(c) Weapon type: Any legal weapon.

(d) Bag limit: One additional any buck mule deer.

(e) Number of permit hunters selected: 1

(3) WHITE-TAILED DEER AUCTION PERMIT

(a) Season dates: September 1 - December 31

(b) Hunt Area: Those GMUs open to white-tailed deer hunting EXCEPT those GMUs closed to white-tailed deer hunting by the fish and wildlife commission.

(c) Weapon type: Any legal weapon.

(d) Bag limit: One additional any buck white-tailed deer.

(e) Number of permit hunters selected: 1

(4) THREE-DEER AUCTION PERMIT

(a) Bag limit: One additional any buck black-tailed deer, one additional any buck mule deer, and one additional any buck white-tailed deer; total harvest not to exceed three animals.

(b) Hunt Area: For black-tailed deer, those GMUs open to black-tailed deer hunting EXCEPT GMU 485 and those GMUs closed to deer hunting by the fish and wildlife commission. For mule deer, those GMUs open to mule deer hunting EXCEPT those GMUs closed to mule deer hunting by the fish and wildlife commission. For white-tailed deer, those GMUs open to white-tailed deer hunting EXCEPT those GMUs closed to white-tailed deer hunting by the fish and wildlife commission.

(c) Season dates: September 1 - December 31

(d) Weapon: Any legal weapon.

(e) Number of permit hunters selected: 1

(5) WESTSIDE ELK AUCTION PERMIT

(a) Season dates: September 1 - December 31

(b) Hunt Area: Western Washington EXCEPT GMU 485, those GMUs closed to elk hunting, and those GMUs not opened to bull elk hunting by the fish and wildlife commission.

(c) Weapon type: Any legal weapon.

(d) Bag limit: One additional any bull elk.

(e) Number of permit hunters selected: 1

(6) EASTSIDE ELK AUCTION PERMIT

(a) Season dates: September 1 - December 31

(b) Hunt Area: Eastern Washington EXCEPT GMU 157 and those GMUs closed to elk hunting, and those GMUs not opened to bull elk hunting by the fish and wildlife commission.

(c) Weapon type: Any legal weapon.

(d) Bag limit: One additional any bull elk.

(e) Number of permit hunters selected: 1

(7) CALIFORNIA BIGHORN SHEEP AUCTION PERMIT

(a) Season dates: September 1 - December 31

(b) Hunt Area: The director is authorized to select areas open for this hunt based on population objectives, harvest objectives, and recent harvest parameters as identified by the department. The selection of hunt areas will be made no later than December 1 for the following year, and will be posted on the department's website no later than January 1.

(c) Weapon: Any legal weapon.

(d) Bag limit: One California bighorn ram.

(e) Number of permit hunters selected: 1

(8) MOOSE AUCTION PERMIT

(a) Season dates: September 1 - December 31

(b) Hunt Area: Any open moose unit, and hunt areas identified by the department before December 1 for the following year, and posted on the department's website no later than January 1.

(c) Weapon: Any legal weapon.

(d) Bag limit: One bull moose.

(e) Number of permit hunters selected: 1

(9) MOUNTAIN GOAT AUCTION PERMIT

(a) Season dates: September 1 - December 31

(b) Hunt Area: The director is authorized to select areas open for this hunt based on population objectives, harvest objectives, and recent harvest parameters as identified by the department. The selection of hunt areas will be made no later than December 1 for the following year, and will be posted on the department's website no later than January 1.

(c) Weapon: Any legal weapon.

(d) Bag limit: One mountain goat of either sex.

(e) Number of permit hunters selected: 1

(10) BLACK-TAILED DEER RAFFLE PERMIT

(a) Season dates: September 1 - December 31

(b) Hunt Area: Those GMUs open to black-tailed deer hunting EXCEPT GMU 485 and those GMUs closed to deer hunting by the fish and wildlife commission.

(c) Weapon: Any legal weapon.

(d) Bag limit: One additional any buck black-tailed deer.

(e) Number of permit hunters selected: 1

(11) MULE DEER RAFFLE PERMIT

(a) Season dates: September 1 - December 31

(b) Hunt Area: Those GMUs open to mule deer hunting EXCEPT those GMUs closed to mule deer hunting by the fish and wildlife commission.

(c) Weapon: Any legal weapon.

(d) Bag limit: One additional any buck mule deer.

(e) Number of permit hunters selected: 1

(12) WHITE-TAILED DEER RAFFLE PERMIT

(a) Season dates: September 1 - December 31

(b) Hunt Area: Those GMUs open to white-tailed deer hunting EXCEPT those GMUs closed to white-tailed deer hunting by the fish and wildlife commission.

(c) Weapon: Any legal weapon.

(d) Bag limit: One additional any buck white-tailed deer.

(e) Number of permit hunters selected: 1

(13) WESTSIDE ELK RAFFLE PERMIT

(a) Season dates: September 1 - December 31

(b) Hunt Area: Western Washington EXCEPT GMU 485, those GMUs closed to elk hunting, and those GMUs not open to bull elk hunting by the fish and wildlife commission.

(c) Weapon: Any legal weapon.

(d) Bag limit: One additional any bull elk.

(e) Number of permit hunters selected: 1

(14) EASTSIDE ELK RAFFLE PERMIT

(a) Season dates: September 1 - December 31

(b) Hunt Area: Eastern Washington EXCEPT GMU 157 and those GMUs closed to elk hunting, and those GMUs not opened to bull elk hunting by the fish and wildlife commission.

(c) Weapon: Any legal weapon.

(d) Bag limit: One additional any bull elk.

(e) Number of permit hunters selected: 1

(15) CALIFORNIA BIGHORN SHEEP RAFFLE PERMIT

(a) Season dates: September 1 - December 31

(b) Hunt Area: The director is authorized to select areas open for this hunt based on population objectives, harvest objectives, and recent harvest parameters as identified by the department. The selection of hunt areas will be made no later than December 1 for the following year, and will be posted on the department's website no later than January 1 except that sheep units in Walla Walla, Columbia, Garfield, Asotin, or Pend Oreille counties are not open.

(c) Weapon: Any legal weapon.

(d) Bag limit: One California bighorn ram.

(e) Number of permit hunters selected: 1

(16) MOOSE RAFFLE PERMIT

(a) Season dates: September 1 - December 31

(b) Hunt Area: GMUs 101 through 130, 204.

(c) Weapon: Any legal weapon.

(d) Bag limit: One bull moose.

(e) Number of permit hunters selected: 2

(17) MOUNTAIN GOAT RAFFLE PERMIT

(a) Season dates: September 1 - December 31

(b) Hunt Area: The director is authorized to select areas open for this hunt based on population objectives, harvest objectives, and recent harvest parameters as identified by the department. The selection of hunt areas will be made no later than December 1 for the following year, and will be posted on the department's website no later than January 1.

(c) Weapon: Any legal weapon.

(d) Bag limit: One mountain goat of either sex.

(e) Number of permit hunters selected: 1

(18) TURKEY RAFFLE PERMIT

(a) Season dates: April 1 - May 31 and September 1 - December 31

(b) Hunt Area: Statewide.

(c) Weapon: Archery or shotgun only.

(d) Bag limit: Three additional wild turkeys, but not to exceed more than one turkey in Western Washington or two turkeys in Eastern Washington.

(e) Number of permit hunters selected: 1

(19) ROCKY MOUNTAIN BIGHORN SHEEP RAFFLE PERMIT

(a) Bag limit: One Rocky Mountain bighorn ram.

(b) Hunt Area: GMUs 113, 172, 186, 181 (south of the line made by starting at Montgomery Ridge Road and Highway 129 to the Sherry Grade Road to the Couse Creek Road to the Snake River).

(c) Season dates: September 1 - December 31

(d) Weapon: Any legal weapon.

(e) Number of permit hunters selected: 1

(20) THREE-DEER RAFFLE PERMIT

(a) Bag limit: One additional any buck black-tailed deer, one additional any buck mule deer, and one additional any buck white-tailed deer; total harvest not to exceed three animals.

(b) Hunt Area: For black-tailed deer, those GMUs open to black-tailed deer hunting EXCEPT GMU 485 and those GMUs closed to deer hunting by the fish and wildlife commission. For mule deer, those GMUs open to mule deer hunting EXCEPT those GMUs closed to mule deer hunting by the fish and wildlife commission. For white-tailed deer, those GMUs open to white-tailed deer hunting EXCEPT those GMUs closed to white-tailed deer hunting by the fish and wildlife commission.

(c) Season dates: September 1 - December 31

(d) Weapon: Any legal weapon.

(e) Number of permit hunters selected: 1

(21) NORTHEAST WASHINGTON BIG GAME RAFFLE PERMIT

(a) Bag limit: Permit hunter may harvest three of six possible species. Species that may be harvested under this permit include: One additional any buck white-tailed deer, one additional any bull elk, one any bull moose, one additional any legal cougar, one additional any legal black bear, and one additional any legal turkey (gobbler or turkey with visible beard ONLY); total harvest not to exceed three animals.

(b) Hunt Area: GMUs 101-124.

(c) Season dates:

(i) September 1 - December 31 for white-tailed deer, elk, and moose.

(ii) August 1 - November 15 for black bear.

(iii) September 1 - March 31 for cougar.

(iv) April 15 - May 31 for turkey.

(d) Weapon: Any legal weapon EXCEPT archery and shotgun only for turkey.

(e) Number of permit hunters selected: 1

(22) SOUTH-CENTRAL WASHINGTON BIG GAME RAFFLE PERMIT

(a) Bag limit: One additional any bull elk, one additional any buck deer, and one California bighorn sheep ram; total harvest not to exceed three animals.

(b) Hunt Area: For elk, any 300 or 500 series GMU EXCEPT those GMUs closed to elk hunting and those GMUs not open to bull elk hunting by the fish and wildlife commission. For deer, any 300 or 500 series GMU EXCEPT those GMUs closed to deer hunting by the fish and wildlife commission. For California bighorn sheep, the director is authorized to select areas open for this hunt based on population objectives, harvest objectives, and recent harvest parameters as identified by the department. The selection of hunt areas will be made no later than December 1 for the following year, and will be posted on the department's website no later than January 1.

(c) Season dates: September 1 - December 31

(d) Weapon: Any legal weapon.

(e) Number of permit hunters selected: 1

(23) SOUTHEAST WASHINGTON BIG GAME RAFFLE PERMIT

(a) Bag limit: Permit hunter may harvest four of five possible species. Species that may be harvested under this permit include: One additional any buck white-tailed deer, one additional any buck mule deer, one additional any bull elk, one additional any legal cougar, and one additional any legal black bear; total harvest not to exceed four animals.

(b) Hunt Area: GMUs 139-154 and 162-186.

(c) Season dates:

(i) September 1 - December 31 for white-tailed deer, mule deer, and elk.

(ii) August 1 - November 15 for black bear.

(iii) September 1 - March 31 for cougar.

(d) Weapon: Any legal weapon.

(e) Number of permit hunters selected: 1

(24) NORTH-CENTRAL WASHINGTON BIG GAME RAFFLE PERMIT

(a) Bag limit: Permit hunter may harvest three of five possible species. Species that may be harvested under this permit include: One additional any buck white-tailed deer, one additional any buck mule deer, one any ram California bighorn sheep, one additional any legal cougar, and one additional any legal black bear; total harvest not to exceed three animals.

(b) Hunt Area: For white-tailed deer, mule deer, cougar, and black bear, any 200 series GMU EXCEPT those GMUs closed to deer hunting by the fish and wildlife commission. For California bighorn sheep, the director is authorized to select areas open for this hunt based on population objectives, harvest objectives, and recent harvest parameters as identified by the department. The selection of hunt areas will be made no later than December 1 for the following year, and will be posted on the department's website no later than January 1.

(c) Season dates:

(i) September 1 - December 31 for white-tailed deer, mule deer, and California bighorn sheep.

(ii) August 1 - November 15 for black bear.

(iii) September 1 - March 31 for cougar.

(d) Weapon: Any legal weapon.

(e) Number of permit hunters selected: 1

(25) WESTERN WASHINGTON ELK INCENTIVE PERMITS

(a) Hunt Area: Western Washington EXCEPT GMUs 418, 485, 522, and those GMUs closed to elk hunting or closed to bull elk hunting by the fish and wildlife commission.

(b) Season dates: September 1 - December 31

(c) Weapon: Any legal weapon, EXCEPT must use archery equipment during archery seasons and muzzleloader equipment during muzzleloader seasons.

(d) Bag limit: One additional elk.

(e) Number of permit hunters selected: 2

(26) EASTERN WASHINGTON ELK INCENTIVE PERMITS

(a) Hunt Area: Eastern Washington EXCEPT GMU 157 and those GMUs closed to elk hunting or closed to bull elk hunting by the fish and wildlife commission.

(b) Season dates: September 1 - December 31

(c) Weapon: Any legal weapon, EXCEPT must use archery equipment during archery seasons and muzzleloader equipment during muzzleloader seasons.

(d) Bag limit: One additional elk.

(e) Number of permit hunters selected: 2

(27) DEER INCENTIVE PERMITS

(a) Hunt Area: Statewide, for use in any area open to general or permit hunting seasons EXCEPT GMUs 157, 418, 485, 522, and those GMUs closed to deer hunting by the fish and wildlife commission.

(b) Season dates: September 1 - December 31

(c) Weapon: Any legal weapon, EXCEPT hunters must use archery equipment during archery seasons and muzzleloader equipment during muzzleloader seasons and any legal weapon at other times if there are no firearm restrictions.

(d) Bag limit: One additional any deer.

(e) Number of permit hunters selected: 5

(28) Auction permits: The director will select a conservation organization(s) to conduct annual auction(s). Selection of the conservation organizations will be based on criteria adopted by the Washington department of fish and wildlife. Big game and wild turkey auctions shall be conducted consistent with WAC 220-412-060.

(29) Raffle permits: Raffle permits will be issued to individuals selected through a Washington department of fish and wildlife drawing or the director may select a conservation organization(s) to conduct annual raffles. Selection of a conservation organization will be based on criteria adopted by the Washington department of fish and wildlife. Big game and wild turkey raffles shall be conducted consistent with WAC 220-412-040.

(30) Special incentive permits: Hunters will be entered into a drawing for special deer and elk incentive permits for prompt reporting of hunting activity in compliance with WAC 220-413-100.

(31) For permit hunts where the permittee may harvest multiple species, the permittee must select the species he/she wants to hunt within ((fourteen))14 days of notification of being selected.

(32) Permittees shall contact the appropriate regional office of the department of fish and wildlife when entering the designated hunt area or entering the region to hunt outside the general season.

(33) The permittee may be accompanied by others; however, only the permittee is allowed to carry a legal weapon or harvest an animal, except for permittees and those accompanied with  may  carry handguns for personal protection. Handguns cannot be used to hunt big game  or dispatch wounded big game during an archery  or muzzleloader  big game hunting season.

(34) The permittee and accompanying persons  engaged in the hunting season  must follow the hunter orange and hunter pink clothing requirements under WAC 220-414-080.

(35) Any attempt by members of the permittee's party to herd or drive wildlife is prohibited.

(((35)))(36) If requested by the department, the permittee is required to direct department officials to the site of the kill.

(((36)))(37) The permit is valid during the hunting season dates for the year issued.

(((37)))(38) The permittee will present the head and carcass of the bighorn sheep killed to any department office within ((ten))10 days of date of kill.

(((38)))(39) The permittee must abide by all local, state, and federal regulations including firearm restriction areas and area closures.

(((39)))(40) Hunters awarded the special incentive permit will be required to send the appropriate license fee to the department of fish and wildlife headquarters in Olympia. The department will issue the license and transport tag and send it to the special incentive permit winner.

The commission may establish special hunting seasons and may set the conditions for each category and hunt.

(1) Deer, elk, cougar, or black bear special hunting season permit applications:

(a) To apply for special hunting season permits for all categories of deer, elk, cougar, or black bear, applicants must have a valid Washington big game hunting license and a valid transport tag for the appropriate species. To apply for a particular hunt, each applicant for deer or elk must have the proper transport tag as identified in the special deer or elk permit regulations.

(b) Multiple season deer and elk permit applications may be purchased without additional licenses or tags. Persons who are successfully drawn must purchase a multiple season permit for deer or elk and may also apply for archery, muzzleloader, or modern firearm special hunting season permits for the species drawn.

(2) Mountain goat, moose, and bighorn sheep special hunting season permit applications:

(a) Persons who have previously harvested a mountain goat, bighorn sheep ram, an antlered bull moose taken under an "any antlered bull moose" permit, or any moose (whether antlered or not) taken under an "any moose" permit in Washington are ineligible for a special hunting season permit for that category. This lifetime harvest restriction does not apply to mountain goat conflict reduction hunts, individuals who harvested a mountain goat before 1999, raffle or auction hunt authorizations, ewe-only bighorn sheep hunts, or antlerless-only moose hunts.

(b) Applicants for all mountain goat, moose, and/or bighorn sheep special hunting season permits must have either successfully completed hunter education prior to submitting an application, or have a birth date prior to January 1, 1972.

(c) Successful applicants under this section must purchase the appropriate hunting license by the deadline established by the department (a minimum of 15 days). Failure to purchase forfeits the permit to an alternate applicant.

(3) Wild turkey special hunting season permit applications:

(a) To apply for wild turkey special hunting season permits, each applicant must have a valid small game hunting license.

(b) Fall wild turkey special hunting season permit holders must have a valid turkey transport tag in possession to hunt turkeys in fall special hunting seasons.

(4) Special hunting season permit applications:

(a) Maximum group sizes are determined for each category. If a group application is drawn, all hunters in the group will receive a special hunting season permit and each hunter in the group can take an animal. If the number of permits available in a hunt category is less than the maximum group size, then the maximum group size is equal to the number of permits.

(i) Maximum group size for deer categories is 8.

(ii) Maximum group size for elk categories is 8.

(iii) Maximum group size for bear categories is 2.

(iv) Maximum group size for cougar categories is 2.

(v) Maximum group size for mountain goat categories is 2.

(vi) Maximum group size for bighorn sheep categories is 2.

(vii) Maximum group size for fall turkey categories is 4.

(viii) Maximum group size for moose categories is 2.

(ix) Maximum group size for multiple season deer is 2.

(x) Maximum group size for multiple season elk is 2.

(b) An applicant may purchase only one application for a special hunting season permit for each category.

(c) Permit applications will allow four choices for all categories except the quality category for deer and elk will allow two choices.

(d) Permits will be drawn by computer selection using a weighted point selection system.

(i) Applicants will receive one point for each application category purchased.

(ii) Once drawn for a permit, the applicant's points will be reduced to zero in that category. Applicants who are drawn for a damage hunt administered by a WDFW designated hunt coordinator and not given a chance to participate shall get their points restored. Those that decline to participate for any reason are not eligible for point restoration.

(iii) An applicant's accumulated point totals, immediately prior to sales of the 2010 permit applications, will be replicated across all categories for that species. The point replication will only occur in 2010, during the transition from single species categories to multiple categories of the same species. Applicants for any new category added in the future will begin with the point awarded at the time of the initial application purchase.

(iv) Applicants for the "any antlered bull moose" category (established in 2018) will be credited with any points previously accumulated under the "any moose" category.

(e) Incomplete, ineligible, or inaccurate applications will not be accepted or entered into the drawing.

(f) Permits will be voided if the applicant is found to be ineligible or to have provided an application based on inaccurate information.

(g) The purchase of an application will result in one accrued point for the category purchased.

(h) If for any reason a successful applicant chooses not to participate in the hunt, they are eligible for point restoration. The successful applicant seeking point restoration must return the special hunting season permit to the department of fish and wildlife Olympia headquarters two weeks before the opening day of the special hunting season so it can be reissued. The applicant's points will be restored to the level prior to the permit drawing.

(i) Anyone may apply for a special hunting season permit for deer, elk, bear, cougar, and wild turkey.

(5) In addition to requirements for special hunting season permit applications, following are application requirements for:

(a) Special hunting seasons for persons of disability: Only applicants with a Washington disabled hunter permit are eligible to apply for any special hunting season permits for persons of disability.

(b) Special hunting seasons for youth: Only persons who are eligible to lawfully purchase a youth special hunt application are eligible to apply for special hunting season permits for youth.

(c) Special hunting seasons for hunters age 65 and older: Only applicants ((sixty-five))65 years of age or older on or before March 31 of the current license year will be eligible to apply for special hunting season permits for hunters age 65 and older.

(d) Special hunting seasons for master hunter program graduates: Only persons who hold a valid certificate from the Washington department of fish and wildlife's master hunter program are eligible to apply for special hunting season permits for master hunters.

(6) Citizen reward for reporting violations - Bonus points: A person who provides information which contributes substantially to the arrest or noncriminal proceeding of another person for illegally hunting or killing big game or an endangered species as defined by Title 77 RCW is eligible to receive ((ten))up to 10 bonus points toward the special hunting permit drawing for one application category of deer or elk special hunting season permits.

(a) ((Only ten))Up to 10 bonus points can be awarded for providing information for each person charged regardless of the number of violations involved.

(b) Selection of bonus points is in lieu of application for a cash award.

(1) In order to effectively manage and train hound handlers and their dogs to be agents of the state used for cougar conflict response, the department establishes the nonlethal pursuit training pass program.

(2) The nonlethal pursuit training pass program emphasizes safe, ethical, responsible, and lawful hound handling practices as well as detection of specific wildlife species by dogs. The goal of the nonlethal pursuit training pass program includes improving dog handler/department relations, effective detection of target species when requested by the department, and the ethical treatment of working dogs and wildlife. The yearly application cost to be considered for placement on the list of screened nonlethal pursuit handlers shall be ((twenty-five dollars))$25 and will cover the cost of an application review and a background check. This cost will occur annually when renewing an application to be on the list of screened nonlethal pursuit handlers. The WDFW enforcement program shall determine the nonlethal pursuit program's requirements and curriculum in consultation with stakeholders including, but not limited to, working dog handlers and wildlife conservation organizations in Washington state.

(3) Working dog handlers are held to the highest ethical standards as these individuals may be asked to perform as agents of the state under RCW 77.12.077. As such, they may be ambassadors for the department and the working dog community. Criteria to be considered include the following:

(a) Currently own and train working dogs on scent detection and tracking;

(b) Maintain health records of working dogs;

(c) An active working knowledge of predator detection and pursuit training techniques;

(d) Hold a current driver's license;

(e) Up-to-date vehicle registration and vehicle insurance for any vehicle used to transport working dogs;

(f) Understanding of best practices in dog handling equipment and proper usage; and

(g) Working knowledge of terrain navigation and digital mapping equipment.

Initial approved applicants on the list of screened nonlethal pursuit handlers and individuals reapplying to be approved on the list of screened nonlethal pursuit handlers must annually submit to a criminal background check, and the department shall deny entry into the nonlethal pursuit training pass program to those applicants who have:

• Been convicted within the last ((ten))10 years of any criminal offense under chapter 77.15 RCW (WDFW enforcement), 76.48 (specialized forest products), or 16.52 (animal cruelty) RCW;

• Been found to have committed, or to have paid, any infraction for a violation of chapter 77.15 RCW except recreational fishing under RCW 77.15.160, in the last ((ten))10 years;

• Been convicted within the last ((ten))10 years of any crime of dishonesty;

• Been convicted of any felony, or released from custody pursuant to any felony conviction, within the last ((ten))10 years;

• Been convicted of, or been found to have committed, any criminal or civil violation where the department obtains a report from the citing authority that alleges the applicant was deceptive, untruthful, or obstructed a law enforcement officer in the course of the officer's duties, other than violations of RCW 46.61.050 and 46.61.400, within the last ((ten))10 years;

• Been convicted of unlawful possession of a firearm under RCW 9.41.040, or has been convicted of any felony offense and the applicant has not successfully petitioned to have the applicant's firearm rights restored, or is otherwise ineligible to possess a firearm for any reason provided in RCW 9.41.040;

• A current hunting or fishing license revocation or a current suspension of hunting or fishing license privileges in Washington or in another state.

An applicant must disclose to WDFW at the time of application whether the applicant is aware of any pending criminal charges in any municipal, state, or federal court. The department may defer approval or denial on an application until such criminal charges have been adjudicated.

The department may, based on the results of a criminal background check or based on information it has received involving active investigations or pending charges, deny an application, at its discretion, if it believes the applicant does not meet the high ethical standards of the program, or would not be a suitable state agent or ambassador for the department and the working dog community.

(4) If a firearm is discharged at any point during a training activity, the training pass granted pursuant to subsection (11) of this section shall be placed on hold until reinstated by the department captain or training area sergeant. Before a training pass may be reinstated or reissued, WDFW police shall investigate the circumstances of the discharge to determine if it was unlawful or a result of not meeting the best practices of dog handling.

(5) A nonlethal pursuit training pass program participant ((who purchases a cougar harvest tag in Washington state cannot fill a cougar tag seventy-two)) or  observer may not harvest cougar, black bear, or bobcat or  share information for  purposes of hunting within 72 hours before or after a training exercise.

(6) An individual who holds a current nonlethal pursuit training pass and is found to have any of the invalidating circumstances addressed in subsections (3) through (5) of this section, shall be removed from the program and the training pass revoked. If the department learns of a new pending criminal charge or incident involving a current training pass applicant which could lead to an invalidating circumstance addressed in subsections (3) through (5) of this section, the department may suspend the training pass applicant's participation in the program until resolution of the charge or incident.

(7) Nonlethal pursuit training pass applicants will be required to complete an agency affidavit which specifies that the applicant has read, understands, and will comply with the program rules and ethical standards required of the program. This affidavit must be signed, dated, and returned along with a copy of the applicant's driver's license, current proof of vehicle liability insurance, and a copy of a valid hunting license. Submission of false or fraudulent information is grounds for removal from the program.

(8) The enforcement program nonlethal pursuit training pass program coordinator will maintain open communications with landowners and the community. The department will investigate written accusations about nonlethal pursuit program participants and determine whether such complaints have merit and/or warrant enforcement or administrative action.

(9) Any person who has been denied initial admission into the nonlethal pursuit training pass program, or renewal of his or her application to be placed on the list of screened nonlethal pursuit handlers, has the right to an administrative hearing to contest the agency action pursuant to chapter 34.05 RCW. An applicant denied a training pass may request an informal review within ((thirty))30 days of receipt of the application denial. The request for an informal review shall be served on the chief of the enforcement program in writing. The chief may ask the applicant and department for additional information before ruling on the informal appeal, and shall respond to the informal appeal in writing. The applicant shall have initiated the formal appeal no later than ((thirty))30 days from receipt of the notice of denial of the training pass, or ((thirty))30 days from receipt of the decision on the informal review, whichever is later. Date of receipt shall be five days after any written notice or decision is mailed to the applicant. Initial nonlethal pursuit training pass applicants who fail to submit the application fee or who submit an incomplete application will have their application returned. Denial of admission on these grounds does not trigger the right to an administrative hearing.

(10) Training program enrollment - The department will authorize no more than ((fifty))50 valid training pass holders to participate in the program annually on a statewide basis. Training passes issued by the department for training activities shall be geographically limited to no more than nine training passes at a time per WDFW region, and no more than three training passes at a time per enforcement detachment.

(11) Prior to engaging in any nonlethal pursuit training activity, a member of the nonlethal pursuit training pass program shall obtain from the department captain with oversight responsibility for the area proposed to be used for training a nonlethal pursuit training pass, which will be in via paper or electronic format. A nonlethal pursuit training pass, issued at the captain's discretion, will be issued for a period of up to ((thirty))30 days, with an option for a ((thirty))30-day renewal at the request of the training pass holder. This training pass will detail the time frame and geographic scope of the training area that is acceptable to the captain and the training pass holder. Prior to engaging in a training exercise within the limitations of the training pass, the training pass holder will communicate with a department sergeant with oversight of the training area. The training pass holder shall keep the department sergeant appraised of regular training activities, and the sergeant shall keep the training pass holder appraised of any operational or logistical concerns or restrictions. A department captain may, at any time, change the geographic scope or time frame of the training pass to address management or emergent needs, and retains the discretion to terminate a training pass. The department captain shall restrict training pass scope for certain game management units (GMU's) during big game hunting seasons when prudent.

(12) Any training pass holder engaged in training activities is required to carry either pepper spray or an air horn so that nonlethal means are available to mitigate wildlife interactions.

(13) Training pass holders will be allowed to have up to four immediate family members present while participating in a training exercise with a nonlethal pursuit training pass. "Immediate family member" shall be limited to spouses and domestic partners, children and step-children, siblings, parents, and step-parents. Additionally, the owner of real property who has granted permission to the training pass holder to use said lands for a training exercise with a nonlethal pursuit training pass may be present with the training pass holder or may designate a representative in writing. Corporate landowners may designate security personnel or contractors to accompany a training pass holder participating in a training exercise with a nonlethal pursuit training pass. A department sergeant with oversight of the training area may authorize, in advance, additional observers of a training pass holder participating in a training exercise with a nonlethal pursuit training pass.

(14) As a best practices in dog handling, training pass holders shall not knowingly engage in the pursuit of spotted kittens or cougars with spotted kittens. Upon any observation of tracks of more than one cougar or visually observing the presence of spotted kittens during a training exercise, the handler shall terminate the current training pass activity and report the observations to the training area sergeant. The sergeant may choose to subsequently limit future training activities in the area.

(15) Training pass holders shall maintain a logbook of training activities under the nonlethal pursuit training program. Logbooks shall be made using a template made by the department to be uploaded online or downloaded and printed. Entries in the logbook shall include:

(a) Training pass holder's name, names of those accompanying or observing the training exercise, and number of dogs trained or participating;

(b) Date and location of the training, including the names of any roads traveled, trails traveled, or routes taken. The entry shall specify the owners of any land traversed;

(c) If any cougars were detected, the logbook must contain the corresponding GPS coordinates; and

(d) The discharge of any firearms, identification of the firearms, and the person responsible for the discharge.

Logbooks are required to be completed for each training trip before leaving the field. Logbook pages must be provided to the department through an online reporting system or postmarked within ((ten))10 days following any calendar month in which the training pass activity took place.

(1) It is unlawful for a person who kills a big game animal or turkey to fail to immediately validate their tag (unless the tagging requirement is specifically exempted by the fish and wildlife commission). There are two methods of tagging big game animals and turkey, paper tagging and electronic tagging.

(a) A paper tag is validated by cutting out and completely removing the designated notches corresponding to the day and month of the kill for that species and immediately attaching the notched tag to the carcass of the big game animal or turkey. If the carcass is deboned, the tag shall be attached to the largest portion of meat or game bag.

(b) An electronic tag is validated by following the prompts in the authorized mobile application and writing the confirmation number and date of harvest in ink on material that can withstand the elements and immediately attaching that to the carcass of the big game animal or turkey. If the carcass is deboned, the confirmation number on material that can withstand the elements shall be attached to the largest portion of meat or game bag.

(2) The tag or the confirmation number must remain attached to the carcass or largest portion of meat or game bag while it is being transported and must remain with the ((wildlife))meat during the period of retention of the edible parts.

(3) For purposes of this section, the requirements in subsection (1)(a) and (b) of this section are the same, and constitute "notch a transport tag" as referenced in chapter 77.15 RCW.

Hunters and fishermen occupying a motor vehicle approaching or entering a check station established by a ((wildlife agent))a uniformed fish and wildlife officer must stop and produce for inspection((:

(2) Licenses, permits, tags, stamps or punchcards required))items listed in RCW 77.12.620 and any hunting, fishing or shellfish equipment requested under Title 77 RCW or rules adopted thereunder.

(1)(a) It is unlawful to hunt wildlife during any modern firearm deer or elk season with any firearm ((240))24 caliber or larger, or containing slugs or buckshot, unless the hunter has a valid license, permits and tags for modern firearm deer or elk seasons ((are in his or her))in their possession.

(b) This subsection does not apply to people hunting bear, cougar, mountain goat, mountain sheep, or ((turkey))moose.

(2)(a) It is unlawful to hunt any wildlife ((at night and it is unlawful to hunt wild animals, except rabbits and hares, with dogs (hounds)))outside the designated hunting hours at night during the month of October or November during the dates established for eastern and western Washington modern firearm deer or elk general seasons. During the modern firearm deer and elk general seasons the hunting hours are one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset.

(b) It is unlawful to use hounds to hunt black bear, cougar (EXCEPT as pursuant to RCW 77.15.245), coyote, and bobcat year-round.

(c) A person may not use the aid of a dog to take, chase, harm or harass big game. The use of one blood-trailing dog controlled by leash during lawful hunting hours within 72 hours of shooting a big game animal, except bear and cougar, is allowed to track wounded big game and aid in recovery.

(3) It is unlawful to participate in a hunting contest for which no permit has been issued by the department.

(1) It is unlawful ((to use aircraft, including unmanned aircraft, to spot, locate or report the location of wildlife for the purpose of hunting;))while in or on a motorized vehicle to hunt wildlife with the aid of a spotlight, other artificial light, thermal imaging devices, or night vision equipment while in possession or control of a firearm, air rifle, bow and arrow, or cross bow. For purposes of this section, "night vision equipment" includes electronic light amplification devices, and other comparable equipment used to enhance vision, other than magnification, except as authorized by a permit issued by the director.

(2) It is unlawful to hunt wildlife from ((a vehicle, aircraft, including unmanned aircraft, except as authorized by a permit issued by the director, or from)) a boat propelled by motor unless the motor of such boat has been completely shut off and its progress has ceased except as authorized by a permit issued by the director.

(3) It is unlawful to use ((a vehicle, aircraft, unmanned aircraft, or motor-propelled boat for the purpose of pursuing, concentrating, or harassing any wild animal or wild bird, except as authorized by the department to aid in addressing wildlife conflict))aircraft, including unmanned aircraft, to hunt, spot, locate or report the location of wildlife for the purpose of hunting; except as authorized by a permit issued by the director.

(4) It is unlawful to hunt big game on the day ((one was))that an individual is airborne in an aircraft or operating an unmanned aircraft, except on a regularly scheduled commercial airline flight.

(5) It is unlawful to hunt game animals, game birds, or migratory birds on the day one has operated an unmanned aircraft.

(1) Definitions:

(a) "Hunter with a disability" means a person who has been granted a disability designation and who possesses a valid disabled hunter endorsement issued by the department.

(b) "Disabled hunter endorsement" means an endorsement to a license issued by the department to a person granted a disability designation.

(c) "Designated hunter companion" means a designated person who only assists with that physical function the hunter with a disability is unable to perform, such as stalking, shooting, tracking, retrieving, or the tagging of game birds and game animals.

(d) "Designated hunter companion card" means an identification card issued by the department to a hunter with a disability for use by another person in assisting or acting on the behalf of the hunter with a disability while engaging in hunting activities.

(e) "Accompany" means the hunter with a disability and the designated hunter companion are in the physical presence of each other, not to exceed a 1/4-mile separation. While stalking or shooting an animal, the hunter with a disability and the designated hunter companion must have a form of reliable and direct communication.

(2) A designated hunter companion card will be issued to the holder of a disabled hunter endorsement upon purchase of a hunting license.

(3) It is unlawful for a hunter with a disability to fail to obtain all required licenses, tags, or stamps before hunting.

(4) It is unlawful for a designated hunter companion to assist a hunter with a disability unless the designated hunter companion has the designated hunter companion card on his or her person. A designated hunter companion must have a valid hunting license issued by Washington state or another state.

(a) The designated hunter companion must accompany the hunter with a disability when stalking or shooting game on behalf of the hunter with a disability.

(b) The designated hunter companion does not need to accompany the hunter with a disability while tracking an animal wounded by either hunter, or while tagging or retrieving a downed animal on behalf of the hunter with a disability.

(5) It is unlawful for the hunter with a disability or the designated hunter companion to fail to:

(a) Immediately cut, notch, or date any required tag upon harvesting a game bird or animal; and

(b) Affix the tag to the carcass of the game bird or animal as soon as reasonably possible after killing the game.

(6) Game birds or game animals killed, tagged or retrieved by a designated hunter companion on behalf of a hunter with a disability do not count against the designated hunter companion's bag or possession limit.

(7) It is unlawful for a hunter with a disability to possess a loaded firearm or loaded crossbow in a motor vehicle, or shoot from a motor vehicle, unless the hunter with a disability has been issued a special use permit from the department, and:

(a) The vehicle is stopped, the vehicle is removed from the maintained portion of the roadway, and the motor is turned off; and

(b) A valid blue disabled hunter "shooting from a vehicle" identification placard must be displayed and visible.

(8) It is unlawful for a hunter with a disability to utilize a crossbow in archery or muzzleloader season, unless the hunter with a disability has been issued a special use permit from the department.

(1) RESTRICTED HUNTING AREAS.

It is unlawful to hunt in the following restricted hunting areas unless otherwise provided:

(a) Parker Lake (GMU 117, Pend Oreille County): All United States Forest Service lands south of Ruby Creek Road (USFS Road 2489), north of Tacoma Creek Road (USFS Road 2389), and west of Bonneville Power Administration power lines are designated as "CLOSED AREA" to hunting wild animals and wild birds year-round except for special hunts adopted by the fish and wildlife commission and those hunters with a valid Hunting Reservation Permit. The Parker Lake closure provides a protected area for the U.S. Air Force Military Survival Training Program.

(b) Columbia River: The Columbia River, all islands except privately owned, in the river, the Benton County shoreline below the high water mark, Central Hanford Department of Energy property, and any peninsula originating on the Benton County shoreline, between Vernita Bridge on Highway 24 downstream to the Richland city limits are designated as a "CLOSED AREA" to hunting wild animals and wild birds except waterfowl hunting is open below the high water mark between the old Hanford townsite power line crossing in Section 24, T 13 N, R 27 E, and the Richland city limits.

(c) Green River (GMU 485): Except for special permit hunters, who may also take a black bear and/or cougar with the appropriate license/tag options, all lands within GMU 485 are designated as a "CLOSED AREA" to hunting big game year-round. During the general westside elk season and general and late deer seasons, all lands within GMU 485 year-round are also designated as a "CLOSED AREA" to hunting all wild animals, including wild birds, year-round. The city of Tacoma enforces trespass within GMU 485 year-round on lands owned or controlled by the city.

(d) McNeil Island (part of GMU 652): Closed to hunting all wild animals, including wild birds, year-round.

(e) Loo-wit (GMU 522): Closed to hunting and trapping, except for elk and mountain goat hunting by special permit holders during established seasons and in designated areas.

(2) A violation of subsection (1) of this section is punishable under RCW 77.15.400, 77.15.410, ((or)) 77.15.430, or 77.15.160 depending on the species hunted.

(3) CLOSED BIG GAME HUNTING AREAS.

It is unlawful to hunt big game in the following closed areas, unless otherwise specified:

(a) Clark, Cowlitz, Pacific, and Wahkiakum counties: Closed to hunting for Columbian whitetail deer.

(b) Cathlamet: Except for special permits issued by the department for nonendangered deer and elk, this area is closed to all deer and elk hunting to protect the Columbian whitetail deer. This area's boundaries are described as:

Beginning in the town of Skamokawa; then east along SR 4 to Risk Road; then south and east along Risk Road to Foster Road; then south along the Foster Road to the Elochoman River; then upstream along the Elochoman River to Elochoman Valley Road (old SR 407); then west along the Elochoman Valley Road to SR 4; then east along SR 4 to SR 409; then south along SR 409 to the Cathlamet Channel of the Columbia River; then east along the north shore of the Cathlamet Channel to Cape Horn; then south in the Columbia River to the state line; then west along the state line to a point directly south of the mouth of Skamokawa Creek; then north on Skamokawa Creek to SR 4 and the point of beginning.

(c) Walla Walla Mill Creek Watershed (GMU 157): All lands in the Mill Creek Watershed are designated as a "CLOSED AREA" to hunting all wild animals, including wild birds. The only exception is for deer or elk hunting by holders of GMU-157 special deer or elk permits during the established open season. These permit holders must have a U.S. Forest Service permit to enter the hunt area, and the area is closed to motorized vehicles. No entry into the Mill Creek Watershed is allowed at other times.

(d) Westport: Closed to hunting all big game animals on the part of Westport Peninsula lying north of State Highway 105 from the Elk River Bridge west end and the Schafer Island Road to the ocean beach.

(e) Cottonwood and Howard islands (GMU 564): Closed to all deer hunting.

(4) A violation of subsection (3) of this section is a gross misdemeanor or a class C felony punishable under RCW 77.15.410, depending on the circumstances of the violation.

(5) FIREARM RESTRICTION AREAS.

(a) It is unlawful to hunt wildlife in the following firearm restriction areas with centerfire or rimfire rifles, or to fail to comply with additional firearm restrictions, except as established below:

(b) Archery tag holders may only hunt during established archery seasons with archery equipment as defined under WAC 220-414-070.

(c) Muzzleloader tag holders may only hunt during established muzzleloader seasons with muzzleloader equipment or archery equipment as defined by department rule.

(d) Modern firearm tag holders may hunt during established modern firearm seasons with bows and arrows; crossbows; muzzleloaders; revolver-type handguns; semiautomatic handguns of .40 (10 mm) caliber or larger; or shotguns, so long as the equipment and ammunition complies with department rules.

(1) ((It is unlawful to hunt all big game with the aid of infrared night vision equipment or with laser sights (not to include range finders) capable of projecting a beam onto the target, while in possession or control of a firearm, bow and arrow, or crossbow))For big game, it is unlawful to use or possess any infrared or night vision equipment, or thermal imaging devices, and other comparable equipment, except trail cameras, while hunting, spotting, locating, or reporting the location of big game for the purpose of hunting; except as authorized by a permit issued by the director.

(2) ((It is unlawful to use radio-telemetry equipment to locate and hunt wildlife with transmitters attached to them))For hunting wildlife other than big game, it is unlawful to use or possess any infrared or night vision equipment, or thermal imaging devices, and other comparable equipment, except trail cameras, while hunting, spotting, locating, or reporting the location of wildlife for the purpose of hunting, during the dates established for eastern and western Washington modern firearm deer or elk general seasons in October and November; except as authorized by a permit issued by the director.

(1) It is unlawful to hunt any big game with:

(a) A ((fully automatic)) firearm capable of firing multiple round bursts with a single trigger pull or fully automatic.

(b) A centerfire cartridge less than 22 caliber for cougar.

(c) A centerfire cartridge less than 24 caliber for any other big game.

(((d) A shotgun, provided that it is a 20 gauge, or larger shotgun, using shells loaded with slugs or buckshot size #1 or larger, may be used to hunt deer, bear, and cougar.

(g) Any rimfire cartridge.))

(2) ((It is unlawful to hunt game birds with a shotgun capable of holding more than three shells))Persons may use shotguns to hunt big game under the following conditions:

(c) The shotgun may only be used to hunt deer, bear, and cougar.

(3) It is unlawful to hunt game birds or game animals in a manner other than with a firearm, a bow and arrow, a crossbow, or by falconry, with the following exceptions:

(a) Bullfrogs may be hunted only by methods listed in WAC 220-416-120.

(b) Dusky grouse, sooty grouse, spruce grouse, ruffed grouse, snowshoe hare, and cottontail rabbit may be hunted with an air rifle no smaller than .22 caliber and no larger than .25 caliber.

(4) It is unlawful to hunt game animals or game birds with a shotgun larger than 10 gauge.

(5) It is unlawful to hunt game birds with a rifle or handgun, with the exception of:

(a) Dusky grouse, sooty grouse, spruce grouse and ruffed grouse; and

(b) Turkey, which it is unlawful to hunt with a weapon other than the following:

(i) Crossbow or bow and arrow;

(ii) Shotgun shooting #4 or smaller shot, or muzzleloading shotgun shooting #4 or smaller shot;

(iii) Legal modern handgun designed for hunting, shooting #4 or smaller shot, and not capable of holding more than three shells. Handgun barrel length must be a minimum of 10 inches, inclusive of choke tube. Modern handguns must shoot a minimum three inch shotshell of .410 caliber or larger;

(iv) Legal muzzleloading handgun designed for hunting and shooting #4 or smaller shot. Handgun barrel length must be a minimum of 10 inches. Muzzleloading handguns must be .45 caliber or larger.

(1) For the purposes of this section((:)), "Bait" is any substance that could serve as a lure, food, or attraction for deer, elk, or moose, including natural or synthetic scents that contain or are derived from cervid urine and glandular extracts.

(2) Except as otherwise provided in this section, it is unlawful to do the following:

(a) Hunt for deer, elk, or moose using any type of bait placed, exposed, deposited, distributed, scattered, or otherwise used for the purpose of attracting deer, elk, or moose with the intent to hunt them.

(3) Exceptions: Hunting on or over the following is not considered an unlawful use of bait while hunting deer, elk, or moose:

(a) Locally common agricultural and ranching practices including salt or mineral distribution, and feeding;

(b) Food that is available from undisturbed wild, volunteer, or planted vegetation; including fruit trees, orchards, vineyards, and food plots;

(c) Scents that do not contain or are derived from cervid urine and glandular extracts;

(d) Naturally occurring mineral deposits;

(e) As authorized by a department permit issued to address a management objective; or

(f) Exceptions do not include accidental or intentional spills, dumping, or storage of agricultural produce, feed, or bait.

(1) It is unlawful to possess shot (either in shotshells or as loose shot for muzzleloading) other than nontoxic shot when hunting for waterfowl, coot, or snipe. Nontoxic shot includes the following approved types:

The director may adopt additional nontoxic shot types consistent with federal regulations.

(2) It is unlawful to possess shot (either in shotshells or as loose shot for muzzleloading) other than nontoxic shot in the following areas:

(a) Well's Wildlife Area (Bridgeport Bar Unit);

(b) Cowlitz Wildlife Area (all units);

(c) Whatcom Wildlife Area (all units);

(d) Shillapoo Wildlife Area (all units);

(e) Skagit Wildlife Area (all units);

(f) Snoqualmie Wildlife Area (all units);

(g) Sunnyside-Snake River Wildlife Area (Headquarters, Byron and Windmill Ranch units);

(h) Sinlahekin Wildlife Area (Driscoll Island((,))unit) and Bureau of Reclemation (Hegdahl((,)) and Kline Parcel units);

(i) Johns River Wildlife Area (Chinook, Chehalis, and Elk River units);

(j) South Puget Sound Wildlife Area (Big Beef Creek, Lake Koeneman, Nisqually, Skokomish, and Union River units);

(k) Scatter Creek Wildlife Area (all units);

(l) North Olympic Wildlife Area (all units).

(3) It is unlawful to possess shot (either in shotshells or as loose shot for muzzleloading), other than nontoxic shot, when hunting for upland game birds (pheasants, quail, chukar, or gray partridge), mourning doves, band-tailed pigeons, or game animals in the following areas:

(a) Chehalis River pheasant release site;

(b) Hunter Farms pheasant release site;

(c) Two Rivers and Wallula Units of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's McNary National Wildlife Refuge;

(d) All Whidbey Island pheasant release sites.

(4) It is unlawful to possess shot (either in shotshells or as loose shot for muzzleloading), other than nontoxic shot, when hunting for upland game birds (pheasant, quail, chukar, and gray partridge), mourning doves, and band-tailed pigeons on all WDFW designated pheasant release sites not listed in subsections (2) and (3) of this section.

(1) The following provisions apply to all archery hunting seasons:

(a) It is unlawful for any person to carry or have in his possession any firearm while archery hunting in the field during an archery season specified for that area, except for modern handguns carried for personal protection. Modern handguns cannot be used to hunt big game or dispatch wounded big game during an archery big game hunting season.

(b) It is unlawful to have any electrical equipment or electric device(s), except for illuminated nocks, attached to the bow or arrow while hunting.

(c) It is unlawful to discharge a bow from a vehicle or from, across, or along the maintained portion of a public highway.

(d) It is unlawful to use any device secured to or supported by the bow for the purpose of maintaining the bow at full draw or in a firing position.

(e) It is unlawful to hunt big game animals with any arrow or bolt that does not have a sharp broadhead, or with ((a))fixed broadhead blade or open expandable blades ((that are))with less than seven-eighths of an inch ((wide))cutting diameter.

(f) It is unlawful to hunt wildlife with any bow equipped with a scope. A verifier peep sight that magnifies the sights is not considered a scope and is lawful.

(2) The following provisions apply to long bow, recurve bow and compound bow archery equipment:

(a) It is unlawful for any person to hunt big game animals with a bow that does not produce a minimum of 40 pounds of pull measured at 28 inches or at full draw.

(b) It is unlawful to hunt big game animals with any arrow measuring less than 20 inches in length.

(1) It is unlawful to hunt upland birds or rabbits with a firearm, other than a muzzleloading firearm, during any upland game bird season unless the hunter is wearing fluorescent hunter orange and/or fluorescent hunter pink clothing.

(2) It is unlawful to hunt ((big game, except bear and cougar,))deer or elk with modern firearm equipment at any time in any manner unless the hunter is wearing fluorescent hunter orange and/or fluorescent hunter pink clothing.

(3) It is unlawful to hunt wildlife, except migratory birds, during those times and in those places open to taking of deer or elk during ((nonmaster hunter,)) modern firearm general seasons, unless the hunter is wearing fluorescent hunter orange and/or fluorescent hunter pink clothing.

(4) Wearing fluorescent hunter clothing means: A minimum of 400 square inches of fluorescent hunter orange and/or fluorescent hunter pink exterior clothing, worn above the waist and visible from all sides without being concealed by outer garments, packs, or equipment. A combination of both colors may be worn to meet the 400 square inches.

(5) A violation of this section is an infraction, punishable under RCW 77.15.160.

(1) It is unlawful to hunt waterfowl, wild turkeys, ((or)) deer, or elk with the use or aid of battery-powered or other electronic ((devices))decoy or other electronic device that attracts those species as decoys.

(2) ((It is unlawful to hunt waterfowl, wild turkeys, or deer with the use or aid of electronic calls, except))Electronic calls may only be used to hunt for lesser snow geese and Ross' geese during season dates occurring after February 1st in Goose Management Area 1 and Goose Management Area 4, when lesser snow geese and Ross' geese are the only species open to harvest as specified in WAC 220-416-060.

(3) Except as otherwise authorized by rule of the commission or by contract or agreement with the department, any person placing waterfowl decoys on any area (including water, access areas, roads, and trails) under the ownership, management, lease, or control of the department, shall not:

(a) Place waterfowl decoys prior to 4:00 a.m.;

(b) Allow or permit waterfowl decoys to be unattended or not in their immediate control for a period greater than one hour;

(c) Fail to remove waterfowl decoys within two hours after the close of established daily hunting hours; or

(d) Place waterfowl decoys on days closed to waterfowl hunting.

The following provisions apply to hunting with a crossbow:

(1) It is unlawful to hunt big game with a crossbow outside of a modern firearm or muzzleloader season.

(2) It is unlawful to hunt big game animals with a crossbow with a draw weight less than 125 pounds and a trigger safety that does not work properly.

(3) It is unlawful to hunt big game animals with any arrow or bolt weighing less than 350 grains.

(4) It is unlawful to hunt big game animals with any arrow or bolt that does not have a sharp broadhead and the broadhead blade or blades are less than seven-eighths inch ((wide))cutting diameter.

(5) ((It is unlawful to hunt big game animals with a broadhead blade unless the broadhead is unbarbed.

(6))) It is unlawful to discharge a crossbow from a vehicle or from, across, or along the maintained portion of a public highway.

(((7)))(6) It is unlawful to hunt wildlife with a crossbow during an archery season.

It is unlawful to fail to comply with bag, possession, and season limits described below.

Bag Limit: One elk per hunter during the license year, except where otherwise permitted by department rule. Any combination of seasons, tags, and permits set by the department will not exceed a maximum of two elk per hunter during the license year.

Hunting Method: Elk hunters must select only one of the hunting methods: Modern firearm, archery, or muzzleloader.

Elk Tag Areas: Elk hunters must choose either Eastern or Western Washington to hunt in and buy the appropriate tag for that area.

Any Bull Elk Seasons: Open only to the taking of elk with visible antlers; bull calves are illegal.

Antler Point: To qualify as an antler point, the point must be at least one inch long, measured on the longest side.

Branch: A branch is defined as any projection off the main antler beam that is at least one inch long, measured on the longest side, and longer than it is wide.

Spike Bull Antler Restrictions: Bull elk taken in spike-only game management units (GMUs) must have at least one antler with no branches originating more than four inches from where the antler attaches to the skull.

True Spike Bull Antler Restrictions: Neither antler of bull elk taken can have branching originating more than four inches from where the antlers attach to the skull. ((Under the true-spike restriction, taking an elk that has two points on one side or antler points within one inch of the definitions regarding length of point, or point of origination, is an infraction under RCW 77.15.160. All other types of violations of the true-spike restriction are subject to current penalties and assessments under RCW 77.15.410 and 77.15.420.))

3-point Antler Restrictions: Legal bull elk must have at least three antler points on one side. Eye guards are antler points when they are at least one inch long. Antler restrictions apply to all hunters during any open season.

Permit-only Units: The following GMUs are closed to elk hunting during general elk seasons: 157, 418, 437, 485, 522, 556, 621, 636, and 653.

GMUs Closed to Elk Hunting: 490.

Eastern Washington: All 100, 200, and 300 GMUs.

EA - Eastern Washington Archery Tag

EF - Eastern Washington Modern Firearm Tag

EM - Eastern Washington Muzzleloader Tag

Western Washington: All 400, 500, and 600 GMUs.

WA - Western Washington Archery Tag

WF - Western Washington Modern Firearm Tag

WM - Western Washington Muzzleloader Tag

License Required: A valid big game hunting license with an elk tag option.

Tag Required: A valid modern firearm elk tag as listed below for the area hunted.

Hunting Method: May use modern firearm, bow and arrow, crossbow, or muzzleloader, but only during modern firearm seasons.

License Required: A valid big game hunting license with an elk tag option.

Tag Required: A valid archery elk tag as listed below for the area hunted.

Hunting Method: Bow and arrow only, as defined under WAC 220-414-070.

Special Notes: Archery tag holders can hunt only during archery seasons and must hunt with archery equipment (WAC 220-414-070). Archery elk hunters may apply for special bull permits. Please see permit table for tag eligibility for all elk permits.

License Required: A valid big game hunting license with an elk tag option.

Tag Required: A valid muzzleloader elk tag as listed below for the area hunted.

Hunting Method: Muzzleloader, as defined under WAC 220-414-060, crossbow equipment (WAC 220-414-100), or archery equipment, as defined under WAC 220-414-070.

Special Notes: Muzzleloader tag holders can only hunt during the muzzleloader seasons. Only hunters with tags identified in the Special Elk Permits tables may apply for special elk permits.

It is unlawful to fail to comply with the provisions below.

Area Restrictions: GMUs 157, 410-417, 419-424, 490, 522, and 655 are closed to fall bear hunting. A special permit to hunt deer or elk in GMU 485 is required to hunt black bear in GMU 485.

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. It is unlawful to kill or possess a cub (less than one year old) or a female bear accompanied by cub(s).

Area Requirements: Hunters that choose to hunt black bear in GMUs 101, 105, 108, 111, 113, 117, 121, 203, 204, 209, 215, 218, 224, 231, 242, 243, 244, 418, 426, 437, and 450 must successfully complete the annual WDFW online bear identification test with a passing score (80% or higher) and carry proof of successful completion or carry proof that they have passed an equivalent test from another state while hunting black bear in those GMUs. The WDFW test may be taken repeatedly until a passing score is achieved.

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 by December 1st of the current hunt season. Failure to comply with the submission of biological samples is ((a misdemeanor pursuant to RCW 77.15.280))an infraction pursuant to RCW 77.15.160.

(1) The trapping season authorizes the taking of furbearing animals for their hides and pelts only. Furbearers may not be taken from the wild and held alive for sale or personal use without a special permit from the director.

(2) Any wildlife trapped for which the season is not open shall be released unharmed. Any wildlife that cannot be released unharmed must be left in the trap, and the department of fish and wildlife must be notified ((immediately))within 12 hours through WILDCOMM or the Washington state patrol communication center.

(3) Lawfully trapped wild animals must be immediately lethally dispatched or ((immediately)) released. A firearm may be used to dispatch trapped animals.

(4) It is unlawful to trap for wild animals:

(a) With body-gripping traps without a special permit from the director.

(b) ((Unless kill traps are checked and animals removed within 72 hours.

(d))) Using game birds, game fish, or game animals for bait, except nonedible parts of game birds, game fish, or game animals may be used as bait.

For purposes of this section, the meat of animals classified as furbearing animals in WAC 220-400-020 is not considered edible.

(((e)))(c) Within 30 feet of any exposed meat bait or nonedible game parts which are visible to flying raptors.

(5) Kill traps must be checked and animals removed within 72 hours.

(7) Game bird feathers may be used as an attractor.