PROPOSED RULES
FISH AND WILDLIFE
Original Notice.
Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 06-02-096.
Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: WAC 232-28-351 2003-2005 Deer general seasons and special permits.
Hearing Location(s): Comfort Inn and Conference Center, 1620 74th Avenue S.W., Tumwater, WA 98501, (360) 596-9100, on April 7-8, 2006, at 8:00 a.m.
Date of Intended Adoption: April 7, 2006.
Submit Written Comments to: Attn: Wildlife Program Commission Meeting Public Comments, 600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA 98501-1091, e-mail Wildthing@dfw.wa.gov, fax (360) 902-2162, by Monday, March 24, 2006.
Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Nancy Burkhart by April 5, 2006, TTY (360) 902-2207 or (360) 902-2267.
Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: Deer general seasons are set on a three year basis and permit seasons are adjusted annually. General seasons may be adjusted annually in response to deer population changes and damage complaints. This rule sets general deer hunting season opportunities for 2006-2008. Adjusts deer seasons for 2006 in response to deer population changes and damage complaints. Provides for recreational harvest of deer. Helps reduce agricultural damage and provides for population control of deer where needed.
Reasons Supporting Proposal: Provides recreational, deer hunting opportunity and protects deer from overharvest. Addresses deer damage problems.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 77.12.047.
Statute Being Implemented: RCW 77.12.047.
Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.
Name of Proponent: Washington fish and wildlife commission, governmental.
Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting and Implementation: Dave Brittell, Natural Resources Building, Olympia, (360) 902-2504; and Enforcement: Bruce Bjork, Natural Resources Building, Olympia, (360) 902-2932.
No small business economic impact statement has been prepared under chapter 19.85 RCW. These rules regulate recreational hunters and do not directly regulate small business.
A cost-benefit analysis is not required under RCW 34.05.328. Not hydraulics rules.
March 1, 2006
Evan Jacoby
Rules Coordinator
Bag Limit: One (1) deer per hunter during the license year
except where otherwise permitted by Fish and Wildlife
Commission rule.
Hunting Method: Hunters must select one of the hunting
methods (modern firearm, archery, muzzleloader).
Any Buck Deer Seasons: Open only to the taking of deer with
visible antlers (buck fawns illegal).
Antler Point: To qualify as an antler point, the point must
be at least one inch long measured on the longest side.
((Branched)) Antler Restrictions: APPLIES TO ALL HUNTERS DURING ANY
GENERAL SEASON AND DESIGNATED SPECIAL PERMIT SEASONS! Buck deer taken
in ((these)) antler restricted GMUs must meet minimum antler
point requirements. Minimum antler point requirements are
antler points on one side only. ((Antler points include eye
guards but all antler points must be at least one inch long.
The following GMUs have 2 or 3 point minimum requirements on
buck deer taken.)) Eye guards are antler points when they are
at least one inch long.
2 Point minimum GMUs: 437, ((558,)) 574, 578, ((588,)) 636,
654, and 681.
3 Point minimum GMUs: All mule deer in 100, 200, and 300
series GMUs; ((whitetail)) white-tailed deer in GMUs 127, 130,
133, 136, 139, 142, 145, 149, 154, 162, 163, 166, 169, 172,
175, 178, 181, and 186.
Permit Only Units: The following GMUs ((are closed during
general seasons)) require a special permit to hunt deer: 290
(Desert), 329 (Quilomene), 371 (Alkali), and 485 (Green
River).
((Private Lands Wildlife Management Areas (PLWMAs): Buckrun
(PLWMA 201), Kapowsin (PLWMA 401), and Merrill and Ring (PLWMA
600) are closed to hunting, except by permit and/or written
permission from the landowner.))
GMUs Closed to Deer Hunting: 157 (Mill Creek Watershed), 490
(Cedar River), and 522 (Loo-wit).
((Blacktail)) Black-tailed Deer: Any member of ((blacktail))
black-tailed/mule deer (species Odocoileus hemionus) found
west of a line drawn from the Canadian border south on the
Pacific Crest Trail and along the Yakama Indian Reservation
boundary in Yakima County to Klickitat County ((and in
Klickitat County west of Highway 97)); in Klickitat County
along the Yakama Indian Reservation boundary to Summit Creek
Rd; southwest on Summit Creek Rd to the Glenwood-Goldendale
Highway; northwest on the Glenwood-Goldendale Highway to
Lakeside Rd; south on Lakeside Rd to Fisher Hill Rd (P-2000);
south on Fisher Hill Rd to Fisher Hill bridge crossing
Klickitat River; southwest down Klickitat River to the
Columbia River.
Mule Deer: Any member of ((blacktail)) black-tailed/mule deer
(species Odocoileus hemionus) found east of a line drawn from
the Canadian border south on the Pacific Crest Trail and along
the Yakama Indian Reservation boundary in Yakima County to
Klickitat County ((and in Klickitat County east of Highway
97)); in Klickitat County along the Yakama Indian Reservation
boundary to Summit Creek Rd; southwest on Summit Creek Rd to
the Glenwood-Goldendale Highway; northwest on the
Glenwood-Goldendale Highway to Lakeside Rd; south on Lakeside
Rd to Fisher Hill Rd (P-2000); south on Fisher Hill Rd to
Fisher Hill bridge crossing Klickitat River; southwest down
Klickitat River to the Columbia River.
((Whitetail)) White-tailed Deer: Means any ((whitetail))
white-tailed deer (member of the species Odocoileus
virginianus) except the Columbian whitetail deer (species
Odocoileus virginianus leucurus).
MODERN FIREARM DEER SEASONS
License Required: A valid big game hunting license, which
includes a deer species option.
Tag Required: Valid modern firearm deer tag on his/her person for the area hunted.
Hunting Method: Modern firearm deer tag hunters may use rifle, handgun, shotgun, bow or muzzleloader, but only during modern firearm seasons.
| Hunt Season | (( |
(( |
(( |
Game Management Units (GMUs) | Legal Deer |
| HIGH BUCK HUNTS | |||||
| Sept. 15-25 | Sept. 15-25 | Sept. 15-25 | Alpine Lakes, Glacier Peak, Pasayten and Olympic Peninsula Wilderness Areas and Lake Chelan Recreation Area and that part of the Henry Jackson Wilderness Area west of the Pacific Crest Trail | 3 pt. min. | |
| GENERAL SEASON HUNTS | |||||
| Western Washington Blacktail Deer |
(( Oct. 14-31 |
(( Oct. 13-31 |
(( Oct. 11-31 |
407, 418, 426, 448 through 466, 501 through 520, 524 through 556, 560, 568, 572, 601 through 633, 638 through 673, 684 | Any buck |
| GMUs 410, 564 Deer Areas 4013, 4926, and 6014 | Any deer | ||||
| 437, (( |
2 pt. min. | ||||
| Eastern Washington Whitetail Deer |
(( Oct. 14-27 |
(( Oct. 13-26 |
(( Oct. 11-24 |
(( |
Any whitetail buck |
| Oct. 14-22 | Oct. 13-21 | Oct. 11-19 | (( |
Any whitetail buck | |
| Oct. 14-29 | Oct. 13-28 | Oct. 11-26 | 101, 204 | Any whitetail buck | |
| (( Oct. 14-22 |
(( Oct. 13-21 |
(( Oct. 11-19 |
127 through 154, 162 through 186 | Whitetail, 3 pt. min. | |
| (( |
(( |
||||
| (( |
Any whitetailed deer | ||||
| Eastern Washington Mule Deer |
(( Oct. 14-22 |
(( Oct. 13-21 |
(( Oct. 11-19 |
All 100, 200, and 300 series GMUs,
(( |
Mule deer, 3 pt. min. |
| (( |
Any mule deer | ||||
| Oct. 14-27 | Oct. 13-26 | Oct. 11-24 | 373, 382, 388 | Mule deer, 3 pt. min. | |
| (( |
|||||
| LATE BUCK HUNTS | |||||
| Western Washington Blacktail Deer |
(( Nov. 16-19 |
(( Nov. 15-18 |
(( Nov. 13-16 |
407, 410, 454, 466, and 500, and 600
series GMUs except closed in GMUs
522, 574, and, 578(( |
Any buck except
2 pt. min. in
GMUs (( |
| Nov. 16-19 | Nov. 15-18 | Nov. 13-16 | GMUs 410 and 564, Deer Areas 4013, 4926, 6014 | Any deer | |
| Eastern Washington Whitetail Deer |
(( Nov. 6-19 |
(( Nov. 5-19 |
(( Nov. 3-19 |
105 through 124 | Any whitetail buck |
| (( |
(( |
||||
| YOUTH & DISABLED HUNTERS | |||||
| Eastern Washington Whitetail Deer |
(( Nov. 2)) Oct. 28-Nov. 5 |
(( Nov. 7)) Oct. 29-Nov. 4 |
(( Nov. 6)) Oct. 25-Nov. 2 |
105 through 124 | Whitetail, antlerless only |
| HUNTERS 65 AND OVER, DISABLED, OR YOUTH SEASONS | |||||
| Eastern Washington Whitetail Deer |
(( |
(( Oct. 13-26 & Nov. 5-19 |
(( Oct. 11-24 & Nov. 3-19 |
(( |
Any whitetail deer |
| Oct. 14-29 | Oct. 13-28 | Oct. 11-26 | 101 | Any whitetail deer | |
| (( Oct. 14-22 |
(( Oct. 13-21 |
(( Oct. 11-19 |
127 through 142, 145 through 154,
162, (( |
Whitetail, 3 pt. min. or antlerless | |
| (( |
|||||
| ADVANCED HUNTER EDUCATION (AHE) MASTER HUNTER SEASON | |||||
| Eastern Washington Whitetail Deer |
Dec. 9-15 | Dec. 9-15 | Dec. 9-15 | GMUs 130-142 | Whitetail, antlerless only |
| (( |
|||||
ARCHERY DEER SEASONS
License Required: A valid big game hunting license, which includes a deer species option.
Tag Required: Valid archery deer tag on his/her person for the area hunted.
Special Notes: Archery tag holders can only hunt during archery seasons with archery equipment (WAC 232-12-054).
| Hunt Area | (( |
(( |
(( |
Game Management Units (GMUs) | Legal Deer |
| Early Archery Deer Seasons | |||||
| Western Washington Blacktail Deer |
Sept. 1-30 | Sept. 1-30 | Sept. 1-30 | 407 through 426, 448 through 466, 501 through 520, 524 through 556, 560, 564, 568, 572, 601 through 633, 638 through 653, 658 through 673, 684 and 699 | Any Deer, except
buck only in
GMUs 460, 503,
506, 530, 550,
(( |
| 437, (( |
2 pt. min. or antlerless | ||||
| (( |
(( |
||||
| Eastern Washington Mule Deer |
Sept. 1-30 | Sept. 1-30 | Sept. 1-30 | 105 through 127, 162, 163, 166, 169,
243(( |
3 pt. min. |
| 142 through 154, and (( |
3 pt. min. or antlerless | ||||
| 381 | Any mule deer | ||||
| Sept. 1-15 | Sept. 1-15 | Sept. 1-15 | 101, 130 through 139, 204 through 242, 248, 254, 262, 266, 269, 272, 278, 284, 382 | 3 pt. min. | |
| Sept. 16-30 | Sept. 16-30 | Sept. 16-30 | 101, 130 through 139, 204 through 242, 248, 254, 262, 266, 269, 272, 278, 284, 382 | 3 pt. min. or antlerless | |
| Eastern Washington Whitetail Deer | Sept. 1-30 | Sept. 1-30 | Sept. 1-30 | 101 through 124, 204 through 284, 381 | Any whitetail deer |
| 127 through 154, 162 through 186 | Whitetail, 3 pt. min. or antlerless | ||||
| Late Archery Deer Seasons | |||||
| Western Washington Blacktail Deer |
(( |
(( Nov. 21-Dec. 8 |
(( |
437, (( |
2 pt. min. or antlerless |
| (( Nov. 22-Dec. 15 |
(( Nov. 21-Dec. 15 |
(( Nov. 19-Dec. 15 |
636, 681 | 2 pt. min. or antlerless | |
| (( |
(( |
||||
| Nov. 22-Dec. 15 | Nov. 21-Dec. 15 | Nov. 19-Dec. 15 | (( |
Any deer(( |
|
| Nov. 22-Dec. 15 | Nov. 21-Dec. 15 | Nov. 19-Dec. 15 | 460, 506, 530, 560, 572 | Buck only | |
| (( Nov. 22-Dec. 31 |
(( Nov. 21-Dec. 31 |
(( Nov. 19-Dec. 31 |
407, 410, 454, 505, 564, 603, 624, 627, 642, 652, 660 through 672 | Any deer | |
| Eastern Washington Mule Deer |
Nov. 20 - Dec. 8 | Nov. 20 - Dec. 8 | Nov. 20 - Dec. 8 | 209, 215, 233, 243(( |
3 pt. min. |
| 145, 163, 178, 250 | 3 pt. min. or antlerless | ||||
| 272, 278, 346, 352, 364, 368, 373 | 3 pt. min. or antlerless | ||||
| Nov. 20-30 | Nov. 20-30 | Nov. 20-30 | 133, 136 | Antlerless | |
| Dec. 9-31 | Dec. 9-31 | Dec. 9-31 | Deer Area 1021 | 3 pt. min. or antlerless | |
| Nov. 20-Dec. 15 | Nov. 20-Dec. 15 | Nov. 20-Dec. 15 | 388 | 3 pt. min. or antlerless | |
| Eastern Washington Whitetail Deer |
Nov. 10 - Dec. 15 | Nov. 10 - Dec. 15 | Nov. 10 - Dec. 15 | 101 | Any whitetail deer |
| Nov. 20 - Dec. 15 | Nov. 20 - Dec. 15 | Nov. 20 - Dec. 15 | 105, 108, 117, 121, 124 | Any whitetail deer | |
| 127 | 3 pt. min. or antlerless whitetail | ||||
| Nov. 20 - Dec. 8 | Nov. 20 - Dec. 8 | Nov. 20 - Dec. 8 | 145, 163, 178 | 3 pt. min. or antlerless whitetail | |
| 204, 209, 215, 233, 243, 250, 272, 278 | Any whitetail deer | ||||
| Nov. 20-30 | Nov. 20-30 | Nov. 20-30 | 133, 136 | Antlerless | |
MUZZLELOADER DEER SEASONS
License Required: A valid big game hunting license, which includes a deer species option.
Tag Required: Valid muzzleloader deer tag on his/her person for the area hunted.
Hunting Method: Muzzleloader only.
Special Notes: Muzzleloader tag holders can only hunt during muzzleloader seasons and must hunt with muzzleloader equipment.
| Hunt Area | (( |
(( |
(( |
Game Management Units (GMUs) | Legal Deer |
| High Buck Hunts | Sept. 15-25 | Sept. 15-25 | Sept. 15-25 | Alpine Lakes, Glacier Peak, Pasayten and Olympic Peninsula Wilderness areas, Lake Chelan Recreation Area and that part of the Henry Jackson Wilderness Area west of the Pacific Crest Trail | 3 pt. min. |
| Early Muzzleloader Deer Seasons | |||||
| Western Washington Blacktail Deer |
(( Oct. 7-13 |
(( Oct. 6-12 |
(( Oct. 4-10 |
407, 418, 426, 448, 450, 501, 504,
505, 513, 520, 530, 554, 568, 603,
612, 624, (( |
Any buck |
| 410, 454, 564, 627, 652, 666, Deer Area 4926 | Any deer | ||||
| 437, 578 | 2 pt. min. | ||||
| Eastern Washington Whitetail Deer |
(( Oct. 7-13 |
(( Oct. 6-12 |
(( Oct. 4-10 |
204, 209, 233, 239, 242, 243, 244, 245, 246, 250, 251, 278, 284 | Whitetail, any buck |
| 133, 142, 145, 149, 181, 381 | Whitetail, 3 pt. min. or antlerless | ||||
| 101(( |
Whitetail, any deer | ||||
| Eastern Washington Mule Deer |
(( Oct. 7-13 |
(( Oct. 6-12 |
(( Oct. 4-10 |
101(( |
Mule deer, 3 pt. min. |
| (( |
Mule deer, 3 pt. min. or antlerless | ||||
| Late Muzzleloader Deer Seasons | |||||
| Western Washington Blacktail Deer | (( Nov. 22-Dec. 15 |
(( Nov. 21-Dec. 15 |
(( Nov. 19-Dec. 15 |
407, 410, 501, 504, 564, 633, 651, 666, 673, 684, and Deer Area 4926 | Any deer |
| 654 | 2 pt. min. | ||||
| 460, 550, 602 | Any buck | ||||
| (( Dec. 1-15 |
(( Dec. 1-15 |
(( Dec. 1-15 |
578 | 2 pt. min. | |
| Eastern Washington Whitetail Deer |
Nov. 20 - Dec. 8 | Nov. 20 - Dec. 8 | Nov. 20 - Dec. 8 | 113 | Whitetail, any deer |
| 130, (( |
Whitetail, 3 pt. min. or antlerless | ||||
| Nov. 20-30 | Nov. 20-30 | Nov. 20-30 | 139 | Whitetail, 3 pt. min. or antlerless | |
| Eastern Washington Mule Deer | Nov. 20-30 | Nov. 20-30 | Nov. 20-30 | (( |
3 pt. min. |
| Nov. 20 - Dec. 8 | Nov. 20 - Dec. 8 | Nov. 20 - Dec. 8 | 130, (( |
3 pt. min. or antlerless | |
((FIREARM RESTRICTED DEER HUNTS OPEN TO ALL DEER HUNTERS
License Required: Hunting license.
Tag Required: Valid modern firearm, archery or muzzleloader deer tag on his/her person for the area hunted.
Hunting Method: Must use weapon in compliance with tag. Firearm restrictions apply in some GMUs. In firearm restriction areas, modern firearm hunters may hunt with a muzzleloader equipped with a scope.
| (( |
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Washington Blacktail Deer |
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SPECIAL DEER PERMIT HUNTING SEASONS
(Open to Permit Holders Only)
Hunters must purchase a deer hunting license prior to purchase of a permit application.