Original Notice.

     Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 02-18-109.

     Purpose: To amend WAC 232-28-282 Big game and wild turkey auction, raffle, and special incentive permits.

     Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 77.12.047.

     Statute Being Implemented: RCW 77.12.047.

     Summary: Restrict bighorn sheep auction and raffle hunters from hunting the Swakane sheep unit.

     Reasons Supporting Proposal: The number of bighorn sheep permits for each sheep unit is allocated based on guidelines established in the game management plan. We anticipate the annual permit level for the Swakane Sheep Unit to be one bighorn ram for 2003. As such, any added harvest by auction and raffle hunters will likely overharvest the mature ram segment of the population. Therefore, the department is recommending closing the Swakane Sheep Unit to auction and raffle hunters to protect from overharvesting mature rams.

     Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting and Implementation: Dave Brittell, Assistant Director, Natural Resources Building, Olympia, (360) 902-2504; and Enforcement: Bruce Bjork, Assistant Director, Natural Resources Building, Olympia, (360) 902-2932.

     Name of Proponent: Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission, governmental.

     Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.

     Explanation of Rule, its Purpose, and Anticipated Effects: As pertaining to this policy decision, the rule provides seasons, bag limits, and hunt areas for big game auction and raffle hunting opportunities. The purpose of the proposed changes is to restrict harvest [of] the Swakane Sheep Unit to protect from overharvesting mature rams.

     Proposal Changes the Following Existing Rules: See above.

     No small business economic impact statement has been prepared under chapter 19.85 RCW. This rule regulates recreational hunters and does not directly regulate small business.

     RCW 34.05.328 does not apply to this rule adoption. Not hydraulics rules.

     Hearing Location: Skagit County PUD Building, 1415 Freeway Drive, Mount Vernon, WA, on December 6-7, 2002, at 8:00 a.m.

     Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Nancy Burkhart by December 2, 2002, TDD (360) 902-2207 or (360) 902-2267.

     Submit Written Comments to: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Attn: Dave Brittell, 600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA 98501-1091, fax (360) 902-2162, by November 15, 2002.

     Date of Intended Adoption: December 6, 2002.

October 23, 2002

Evan Jacoby

Rules Coordinator

BIG GAME 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 232-28-292.

SPECIES - ONE DEER PERMIT

Hunting season dates: September 1 - December 31

Hunt Area: Statewide EXCEPT all Private Lands Wildlife Management Areas (PLWMAs), GMU 485, and those GMUs closed to deer hunting by the fish and wildlife commission.

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

Bag limit: One additional any buck deer

SPECIES - ONE WESTSIDE ELK PERMIT

Hunting season dates: September 1 - December 31

Hunt Area: Western Washington EXCEPT all Private Lands Wildlife Management Areas (PLWMAs), those GMUs closed to elk hunting, and those GMUs not opened to branch antlered bull elk hunting by the fish and wildlife commission.

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

Bag limit: One additional any bull elk

SPECIES - ONE EASTSIDE ELK PERMIT

Hunting season dates: September 1 - December 31

Hunt Area: Eastern Washington EXCEPT all Private Lands Wildlife Management Areas (PLWMAs), GMU 157, those GMUs closed to elk hunting, and those GMUs not opened to branch antlered bull elk hunting by the fish and wildlife commission.

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

Bag limit: One additional any bull elk

SPECIES - ONE BIGHORN SHEEP PERMIT

Hunting season dates: September 1 - October 31

Hunt Area: Sheep Unit 4 (Selah Butte), Sheep Unit 5 (Umtanum), Sheep Unit 7 (Cleman Mountain), Sheep Unit 12 (Lincoln Cliffs), or Sheep Unit 13 (Quilomene)((, or Sheep Unit 14 (Swakane))).

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

Bag limit: One bighorn ram

SPECIES - ONE MOOSE PERMIT

Hunting season dates: October 1 - November 30

Hunt Area: Any open moose unit.

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

Bag limit: One moose of either sex

SPECIES - ONE MOUNTAIN GOAT PERMIT

Hunting season dates: September 15 - October 31

Hunt Area: Goat Unit 3-6 (Naches Pass), Goat Unit 3-9 (Tieton River), Goat Unit 3-10 (Blazed Ridge), or Goat Unit 5-4 (Goat Rocks).

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

Bag limit: One mountain goat of either sex

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 232-28-290.

RAFFLE PERMIT HUNT(S)

DEER RAFFLE PERMIT HUNT

Bag limit: One additional any buck deer

Open area: Statewide EXCEPT all Private Lands Wildlife Management Areas (PLWMAs), GMU 485, and those GMUs closed to deer hunting by the fish and wildlife commission.

Open season: September 1 - December 31.

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

Number of permits: 1

Raffle ticket cost: $5.00 including a 50-cent vendor fee.

WESTSIDE ELK RAFFLE PERMIT HUNT

Bag limit: One additional any bull elk

Open area: Western Washington EXCEPT all Private Lands Wildlife Management Areas (PLWMAs), those GMUs closed to elk hunting, and those GMUs not open to branch antlered bull elk hunting by the fish and wildlife commission.

Open season: September 1 - December 31.

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

Number of permits: 1

Raffle ticket cost: $5.00 including a 50-cent vendor fee.

EASTSIDE ELK RAFFLE PERMIT HUNT

Bag limit: One additional any bull elk

Open area: Eastern Washington EXCEPT all Private Lands Wildlife Management Areas (PLWMAs), GMU 157, those GMUs closed to elk hunting, and those GMUs not opened to branch antlered bull elk hunting by the fish and wildlife commission.

Open season: September 1 - December 31.

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

Number of permits: 1

Raffle ticket cost: $5.00 including a 50-cent vendor fee.

BIGHORN SHEEP RAFFLE PERMIT HUNT

Bag limit: One bighorn ram

Open area: Sheep Unit 4 (Selah Butte), Sheep Unit 5 (Umtanum), Sheep Unit 7 (Cleman Mountain), Sheep Unit 12 (Lincoln Cliffs), or Sheep Unit 13 (Quilomene)((, or Sheep Unit 14 (Swakane))).

Open season: September 1 - October 31.

Weapon: Hunter may use any legal weapon.

Number of permits: 1

Raffle ticket cost: $10.00 including a 50-cent vendor fee.

MOOSE RAFFLE PERMIT HUNT

Bag limit: One moose of either sex

Open area: Any open moose unit.

Open season: October 1 - November 30.

Weapon: Hunter may use any legal weapon.

Number of permits: 1

Raffle ticket cost: $5.00 including a 50-cent vendor fee.

MOUNTAIN GOAT RAFFLE PERMIT HUNT

Bag limit: One mountain goat of either sex

Open area: Goat Unit 3-6 (Naches Pass), Goat Unit 3-9 (Tieton River), Goat Unit 3-10 (Blazed Ridge), or Goat Unit 5-4 (Goat Rocks).

Open season: September 15 - October 31.

Weapon: Hunter may use any legal weapon.

Number of permits: 1

Raffle tickets cost: $5.00 including a 50-cent vendor fee.

TURKEY RAFFLE PERMIT HUNTS

Bag limit: Three (3) additional wild turkeys, but not to exceed more than one turkey in Western Washington or two turkeys in Eastern Washington.

Open area: Statewide.

Open season: April 1 - May 31.

Weapon: Archery or shotgun only.

Number of permits: 2

Raffle ticket cost: $5.00 including a 50-cent vendor fee.

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 232-28-299.

     (a) There will be two (2) any elk special incentive permits for Western Washington.

Open area: Western Washington EXCEPT all Private Lands Wildlife Management Areas (PLWMAs), GMUs 418, 485, 522, and those GMUs closed to elk hunting or closed to branch antlered bull elk hunting by the fish and wildlife commission.

Open season: September 1 - December 31.

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

Bag limit: One additional elk.

There will be two (2) any elk special incentive permits for Eastern Washington.

Open area: Eastern Washington EXCEPT all Private Lands Wildlife Management Areas (PLWMAs), GMU 157 and those GMUs closed to elk hunting or closed to branch antlered bull elk hunting by the fish and wildlife commission.

Open season: September 1 - December 31.

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

Bag limit: One additional elk.

     (b) There will be five (5) statewide any deer special incentive permits, for use in any area open to general or permit hunting seasons EXCEPT all Private Lands Wildlife Management Areas (PLWMAs), GMUs 157, 418, 485, 522, and those GMUs closed to deer hunting by the fish and wildlife commission.

Open season: September 1 - December 31.

Weapon: Any legal weapon, EXCEPT 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.

Bag limit: One additional any deer.

Auction, raffle, and special incentive hunt permittee rules

     (1) Permittee 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.

     (2) The permittee may be accompanied by others; however, only the permittee is allowed to carry a legal weapon or harvest an animal.

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

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

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

     (6) The permittee will present the head and carcass of the bighorn sheep killed to any department office within 72 hours of date of kill.

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

     (8) 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.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 77.12.047. 02-15-019 (Order 02-135), § 232-28-282, filed 7/8/02, effective 1/1/03.]

     Reviser's note: The typographical errors in the above section occurred in the copy filed by the agency and appear in the Register pursuant to the requirements of RCW 34.08.040.

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