WSR 12-13-105

PROPOSED RULES

DEPARTMENT OF

FISH AND WILDLIFE

[ Filed June 20, 2012, 11:27 a.m. ]

     Original Notice.

     Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 12-05-122 and 12-10-083.

     Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: WAC 232-16-440 Toppenish Creek Game Reserve. (Cort Meyer.), 232-28-283 Big game and wild turkey auction, raffle, and special incentive permits, and 232-28-436 2012-2013 Migratory waterfowl seasons and regulations.

     Hearing Location(s): Natural Resources Building, Conference Room 172, 1111 Washington Street S.E., Olympia, WA 98501, on August 3-4, 2012, at 8:30 a.m.

     Date of Intended Adoption: On or after August 3-4, 2012.

     Submit Written Comments to: 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 Thursday, July 19, 2012.

     Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Tammy Lininger by July 27, 2012, TTY (800) 833-6388 or (360) 902-2267.

     Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: WAC 232-16-440 Toppenish Creek Game Reserve, this amendment is intended to eliminate the Toppenish Creek #2 reserve due to hydrology changes that have significantly reduced the value of the reserve to waterfowl; WAC 232-28-436 2012-13 Migratory waterfowl seasons and regulations, the new WAC specifies legal season dates, bag limits, and open areas to hunt waterfowl, coot, and snipe for the 2012-13 hunting season; WAC 232-28-283 Big game and wild turkey auction, raffle, and special incentive permits, and the proposal removes Game Management Unit (GMU) 186 and adds GMU 175 to the hunt area for the Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep raffle hunt. The anticipated effect is reduced bighorn ram harvest in GMU 186 and a slight increase in GMU 175.

     Reasons Supporting Proposal: WAC 232-16-440 Toppenish Creek Game Reserve, the amendment will allow additional public hunting recreation for upland birds on United States Fish and Wildlife Service lands on the Toppenish National Wildlife Refuge; WAC 232-28-436 2012-13 Migratory waterfowl seasons and regulations, waterfowl seasons and regulations are developed based on cooperative management programs among states of the Pacific Flyway and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, considering population status and other biological parameters. The rule establishes waterfowl seasons and regulations to provide recreational opportunity, control waterfowl damage, and conserve the waterfowl resources of Washington; and WAC 232-28-283 Big game and wild turkey auction, raffle, and special incentive permits, the reason for the change to the hunt area is that the number of mature rams in GMU 186 has declined. GMU 175 has several mature rams and has recently experienced a disease outbreak. Reducing the number of rams in GMU 175 also may be helpful in terms of reducing the number of potentially wandering rams spreading the disease.

     Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 77.04.012, 77.04.055, 77.12.047, 77.12.150, 77.32.070, 77.32.530.

     Statute Being Implemented: RCW 77.04.012, 77.04.055, 77.12.047, 77.12.150, 77.32.070, 77.32.530.

     Rule is necessary because of federal law, C.F.R. Title 50, Part 20; Migratory Bird Treaty Act.

     Name of Proponent: Washington department of fish and wildlife, governmental.

     Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting and Implementation: Nate Pamplin, Natural Resources Building, Olympia, (306) 902-2693; and Enforcement: Bruce Bjork, Natural Resources Building, Olympia, (360) 902-2373.

     No small business economic impact statement has been prepared under chapter 19.85 RCW. These rules do not directly regulate small business.

     A cost-benefit analysis is not required under RCW 34.05.328. These are not hydraulics rules.

June 20, 2012

Lori Preuss

Rules Coordinator

OTS-4834.1


AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending Temporary Regulation 256 (part), filed 9/8/66)

WAC 232-16-440   Toppenish Creek Game Reserve. (Cort Meyer.)   (((1))) Commencing at the NE corner of the SE1/4 of the NW1/4 of Section 26, Township 10, Range 20E.W.M.; thence west one and three-quarters mile to the NW corner of the SE1/4 of the NE1/4 of Section 28, Township 10, Range 20; thence south one-quarter mile; thence east one-quarter mile; thence south three-quarters mile to the SW corner of the NW1/4 of the NW1/4 of Section 34; thence east three-quarters mile; thence south one-quarter mile; thence east three-quarters mile to center of Section 35; thence north one and one-quarter miles to place of beginning. All in Township 10 north, Range 20E.W.M.

     (((2) Toppenish Creek Game Reserve No. 2, (Upper Toppenish Creek) Yakima County. . . . it shall be unlawful to hunt or trap within said area:

     All of Section 21; the west half of the northwest quarter of Section 22; the west half of the southwest quarter of Section 22; the southeast quarter of southwest quarter of Section 22; the south half of the northeast quarter of southwest quarter of Section 22; the north half of north half of Section 28; north half of northwest quarter of Section 27; north half of the southeast quarter of northwest quarter of Section 27; all being in Township 10 north, Range 18E.W.M.))

[Subsection (2), Temporary Regulation 256 (part), filed 9/8/66; Temporary Regulation 234, filed 10/9/64; Order, Subsection (1), filed 7/29/64; Order, filed 7/29/64; Regulation 171, filed 3/21/60; Resolution No. 1 (part), 3/21/60.]

OTS-4835.2


AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending Order 10-10, filed 1/13/10, effective 2/13/10)

WAC 232-28-283   Big game and wild turkey auction, raffle, and special incentive permits.  


AUCTION PERMITS


(1) BLACK-TAILED DEER AUCTION PERMIT


Season dates: September 1 - December 31

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.

Weapon type: Any legal weapon.

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

Number of permit hunters selected: 1


(2) MULE DEER AUCTION PERMIT


Season dates: September 1 - December 31

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

Weapon type: Any legal weapon.

Bag limit: One additional any buck mule deer.

Number of permit hunters selected: 1


(3) WHITE-TAILED DEER AUCTION PERMIT


Season dates: September 1 - December 31

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.

Weapon type: Any legal weapon.

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

Number of permit hunters selected: 1


(4) WESTSIDE ELK AUCTION PERMIT


Season dates: September 1 - December 31

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

Weapon type: Any legal weapon.

Bag limit: One additional any bull elk.

Number of permit hunters selected: 1


(5) EASTSIDE ELK AUCTION PERMIT


Season dates: September 1 - December 31

Hunt Area: Eastern Washington EXCEPT 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 type: Any legal weapon.

Bag limit: One additional any bull elk.

Number of permit hunters selected: 1


(6) CALIFORNIA BIGHORN SHEEP AUCTION PERMIT


Season dates: September 1 - December 31

Hunt Area: Any open sheep unit with two or more ram permits during the respective license year, EXCEPT sheep units in Walla Walla, Columbia, Garfield, Asotin, or Pend Oreille counties are not open.

Weapon: Any legal weapon.

Bag limit: One California bighorn ram.

Number of permit hunters selected: 1


(7) MOOSE AUCTION PERMIT


Season dates: September 1 - December 31

Hunt Area: Any open moose unit.

Weapon: Any legal weapon.

Bag limit: One moose of either sex.

Number of permit hunters selected: 1


(8) MOUNTAIN GOAT AUCTION PERMIT


Season dates: September 1 - December 31

Hunt Area: Any open goat unit with two or more permits during the respective license year.

Weapon: Any legal weapon.

Bag limit: One mountain goat of either sex.

Number of permit hunters selected: 1


RAFFLE PERMITS


(9) BLACK-TAILED DEER RAFFLE PERMIT


Season dates: September 1 - December 31

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.

Weapon: Any legal weapon.

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

Number of permit hunters selected: 1


(10) MULE DEER RAFFLE PERMIT


Season dates: September 1 - December 31

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

Weapon: Any legal weapon.

Bag limit: One additional any buck mule deer.

Number of permit hunters selected: 1


(11) WHITE-TAILED DEER RAFFLE PERMIT


Season dates: September 1 - December 31

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.

Weapon: Any legal weapon.

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

Number of permit hunters selected: 1


(12) WESTSIDE ELK RAFFLE PERMIT


Season dates: September 1 - December 31

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

Weapon: Any legal weapon.

Bag limit: One additional any bull elk.

Number of permit hunters selected: 1


(13) EASTSIDE ELK RAFFLE PERMIT


Season dates: September 1 - December 31

Hunt Area: Eastern Washington EXCEPT 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.

Bag limit: One additional any bull elk.

Number of permit hunters selected: 1


(14) CALIFORNIA BIGHORN SHEEP RAFFLE PERMIT


Season dates: September 1 - December 31

Hunt Area: Any open bighorn sheep unit with two or more ram permits during the respective license year, EXCEPT sheep units in Walla Walla, Columbia, Garfield, Asotin, or Pend Oreille counties are not open.

Weapon: Any legal weapon.

Bag limit: One California bighorn ram.

Number of permit hunters selected: 1


(15) MOOSE RAFFLE PERMIT


Season dates: September 1 - December 31

Hunt Area: Any open moose unit.

Weapon: Any legal weapon.

Bag limit: One moose of either sex.

Number of permit hunters selected: 2


(16) MOUNTAIN GOAT RAFFLE PERMIT


Season dates: September 1 - December 31

Hunt Area: Any open goat unit with two or more permits during the respective license year.

Weapon: Any legal weapon.

Bag limit: One mountain goat of either sex.

Number of permit hunters selected: 1


(17) TURKEY RAFFLE PERMIT


Season dates: April 1 - May 31 and September 1 - December 31

Hunt Area: Statewide.

Weapon: Archery or shotgun only.

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

Number of permit hunters selected: 1


(18) ROCKY MOUNTAIN BIGHORN SHEEP RAFFLE PERMIT


Bag limit: One Rocky Mountain bighorn ram.

Hunt Area: GMUs 113, 175, 181((, 186)).

Season dates: September 1 - December 31

Weapon: Any legal weapon.

Number of permit hunters selected: 1


(19) THREE-DEER RAFFLE PERMIT


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.

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.

Season dates: September 1 - December 31

Weapon: Any legal weapon.

Number of permit hunters selected: 1


(20) NORTHEAST WASHINGTON BIG GAME RAFFLE PERMIT


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 and turkey with visible beard ONLY); total harvest not to exceed three animals.

Hunt Area: GMUs 101-124.

Season dates: September 1 - December 31 for white-tailed deer, elk, and moose. April 15 - May 31 and September 1 - December 31 for black bear. September 1 - March 31 for cougar. April 15 - May 31 for turkey

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

Number of permit hunters selected: 1


(21) SOUTH-CENTRAL WASHINGTON BIG GAME RAFFLE PERMIT


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.

Hunt Area: For elk, any 300 or 500 series GMU EXCEPT those GMUs closed to elk hunting and those GMUs not open to branch antlered 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, those bighorn sheep hunt areas south of Interstate 90 and west of Interstate 82 open to bighorn sheep hunting by the fish and wildlife commission with two or more permits during the respective license year.

Season dates: September 1 - December 31

Weapon: Any legal weapon.

Number of permit hunters selected: 1


(22) SOUTHEAST WASHINGTON BIG GAME RAFFLE PERMIT


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.

Hunt Area: GMUs 139-154 and 162-186.

Season dates: September 1 - December 31 for white-tailed deer, mule deer, and elk. April 15 - June 15 and September 1 - December 31 for black bear. September 1 - March 31 for cougar

Weapon: Any legal weapon.

Number of permit hunters selected: 1


(23) NORTH-CENTRAL WASHINGTON BIG GAME RAFFLE PERMIT


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.

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, those bighorn sheep hunt areas in Chelan or Okanogan counties open to bighorn sheep hunting by the fish and wildlife commission with two or more permits during the respective license year.

Season dates: September 1 - December 31 for white-tailed deer, mule deer, and California bighorn sheep. April 15 - May 15 and September 1 - December 31 for black bear. September 1 - March 31 for cougar

Weapon: Any legal weapon.

Number of permit hunters selected: 1


SPECIAL INCENTIVE PERMITS


(24) WESTERN WASHINGTON ELK INCENTIVE PERMITS


Hunt Area: Western Washington EXCEPT 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.

Season dates: 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.

Number of permit hunters selected: 2


(25) EASTERN WASHINGTON ELK INCENTIVE PERMITS


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

Season dates: 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.

Number of permit hunters selected: 2


(26) DEER INCENTIVE PERMITS


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.

Season dates: 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.

Number of permit hunters selected: 5


PERMIT ISSUANCE PROCEDURE


(27) 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.


(28) 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.


(29) 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.


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


QUALIFICATIONS FOR PARTICIPATION AND REQUIREMENTS:


(31) 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.


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


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


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


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


(36) The permittee will present the head and carcass of the bighorn sheep killed to any department office within seventy-two hours of date of kill.


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


(38) 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.


(39) Permit hunters awarded a cougar permit may only use dogs in GMUs that have a cougar season open to dog use (WAC 232-28-285).

[Statutory Authority: RCW 77.12.047, 77.12.020, 77.12.570, 77.12.210, 77.12.150, and 77.12.240. 10-03-041 (Order 10-10), § 232-28-283, filed 1/13/10, effective 2/13/10.]

OTS-4846.1


REPEALER

     The following section of the Washington Administrative Code is repealed:
WAC 232-28-435 2011-12 Migratory waterfowl seasons and regulations.

OTS-4836.1


NEW SECTION
WAC 232-28-436   2012-13 Migratory waterfowl seasons and regulations.  


DUCKS


Statewide: Oct. 13-17, 2012 and Oct. 20, 2012 - Jan. 27, 2013; except scaup season closed Oct. 13 - Nov. 2.


Special youth hunting weekend open only to hunters 15 years of age or under (must be accompanied by an adult at least 18 years old who is not hunting): Sept. 22-23, 2012.


Daily Bag Limit: 7 ducks, to include not more than 2 hen mallard, 2 pintail, 3 scaup, 1 canvasback, and 2 redhead statewide; and to include not more than 1 harlequin, 2 scoter, 2 long-tailed duck, and 2 goldeneye in Western Washington.


Possession Limit: 14 ducks, to include not more than 4 hen mallard, 4 pintail, 6 scaup, 2 canvasback, and 4 redhead statewide; and to include not more than 1 harlequin, 4 scoter, 4 long-tailed duck, and 4 goldeneye in Western Washington.


Season Limit: 1 harlequin in Western Washington.


AUTHORIZATION AND HARVEST RECORD CARD REQUIRED TO HUNT SEA DUCKS


Hunters must possess a special 2012-2013 hunting authorization and harvest record card for sea ducks when hunting harlequin, scoter, long-tailed duck, and goldeneye in Western Washington. Hunters who did not possess a 2011-12 sea duck harvest record card must submit an application form to Washington state department of fish and wildlife (WDFW). Immediately after taking a sea duck into possession, hunters must record in ink the information required on the harvest record card.


COOT (Mudhen)


Same areas, dates (including youth hunting weekend), and shooting hours as the general duck season.


Daily Bag Limit: 25 coots.


Possession Limit: 25 coots.


SNIPE


Same areas, dates (except youth hunting weekend), and shooting hours as the general duck season.


Daily Bag Limit: 8 snipe.


Possession Limit: 16 snipe.


GEESE (except Brant)


Special youth hunting weekend open only to hunters 15 years of age or under (must be accompanied by an adult at least 18 years old who is not hunting): Sept. 22-23, 2012, statewide except Western Washington Goose Management Areas 2A and 2B.


Daily Bag Limit: 4 Canada geese.


Possession Limit: 8 Canada geese.


Western Washington Goose Seasons


Goose Management Area 1: Island, Skagit, Snohomish counties. Oct. 13, 2012 - Jan. 27, 2013 for snow, Ross', and blue geese. Oct. 13-25, 2012 and Nov. 3, 2012 - Jan. 27, 2013 for other geese (except brant).


Daily Bag Limit: 4 geese.


Possession Limit: 8 geese.


AUTHORIZATION AND HARVEST RECORD CARD REQUIRED TO HUNT SNOW GEESE


Hunters must purchase a special 2012-13 migratory bird hunting authorization and harvest record card for snow geese when hunting snow, Ross', and blue geese in Goose Management Area 1. Hunters who did not possess a 2011-12 snow goose harvest record card must submit an application form to WDFW. Immediately after taking a snow, Ross', or blue goose into possession, hunters must record in ink the information required on the harvest record card.


SNOW GOOSE QUALITY HUNTING PROGRAM IN GOOSE MANAGEMENT AREA 1


All hunters must obey posted signs regarding access restrictions. Quality hunt units are not available for commercial uses.


SKAGIT COUNTY SPECIAL RESTRICTIONS


It is unlawful to discharge a firearm for the purpose of hunting waterfowl within 100 feet of any paved public road on Fir Island in Skagit County or to discharge a firearm for the purpose of hunting snow geese within 100 feet of any paved public road in other areas of Skagit County.


While hunting snow geese, if a hunter is convicted of (a) trespass; (b) shooting from, across, or along the maintained part of any public highway; (c) discharging a firearm for the purpose of hunting waterfowl within 100 feet of any paved public road on Fir Island in Skagit County or discharging a firearm within 100 feet of any paved public road for the purpose of hunting snow geese in other areas of Skagit County; or (d) exceeding the daily bag limit for geese, authorization will be invalidated for the remainder of the current snow goose season and an authorization will not be issued for the subsequent snow goose season.


Goose Management Area 2A


Cowlitz and Wahkiakum counties, and that part of Clark County north of the Washougal River: Open in all areas except Ridgefield NWR from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Saturdays, Sundays, and Wednesdays only, Nov. 10-25, 2012 and Dec. 5, 2012 - Jan. 27, 2013. Ridgefield NWR open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays only, Nov. 10-24, 2012 and Dec. 6, 2012 - Jan. 26, 2013, except closed Nov. 22, 2012, Dec. 25, 2012, and Jan. 1, 2013.


Bag Limits for Goose Management Area 2A:


Daily Bag Limit: 4 geese, to include not more than 1 dusky Canada goose and 3 cackling geese.


Possession Limit: 8 geese, to include not more than 1 dusky Canada goose and 6 cackling geese.


Season Limit: 1 dusky Canada goose.


Goose Management Area 2B


Pacific County: Open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Saturdays and Wednesdays only, Oct. 13-24, 2012 and Nov. 3, 2012 - Jan. 19, 2013.


Bag Limits for Goose Management Area 2B:


Daily Bag Limit: 4 geese, to include not more than 1 dusky Canada goose, 3 cackling geese, and 1 Aleutian goose.


Possession Limit: 8 geese, to include not more than 1 dusky Canada goose, 6 cackling geese, and 2 Aleutian geese.


Season Limit: 1 dusky Canada goose.


Special Provisions for Goose Management Areas 2A and 2B:


A dusky Canada goose is defined as a dark-breasted (as shown in the Munsell color chart 10 YR, 5 or less) Canada goose with a culmen (bill) length of 40-50 mm. A cackling goose is defined as a goose with a culmen (bill) length of 32 mm or less.


The goose season for Goose Management Areas 2A and 2B will be closed early if dusky Canada goose harvests exceed area quotas which collectively total 40 geese. The fish and wildlife commission has authorized the director to implement emergency area closures in accordance with the following quotas: A total of 40 duskys, to be distributed 5 for Zone 1 (Ridgefield NWR); 5 for Zone 2 (Cowlitz County south of the Kalama River); 15 for Zone 3 (Clark County except Ridgefield NWR); 7 for Zone 4 (Cowlitz County north of the Kalama River and Wahkiakum County); and 8 for Zone 5 (Pacific County). Quotas may be shifted to other zones during the season to optimize use of the statewide quota and minimize depredation.


Hunters must possess a special 2012-13 migratory bird hunting authorization for Goose Management Area 2A/2B and daily goose harvest record card when hunting geese in Goose Management Areas 2A and 2B. New hunters and those who did not maintain a valid 2011-12 authorization must review goose identification training materials and score a minimum of 80% on a goose identification test to receive authorization. Hunters who fail a test must wait 28 days before retesting, and will not be issued a reciprocal authorization until that time.


Immediately after taking any goose into possession, hunters must record in ink the information required on the harvest record card. Hunters must go directly to the nearest check station and have geese tagged when leaving a hunt site, before 6:00 p.m. All geese shall be presented intact and fully feathered at the check station. If a hunter takes the season bag limit of 1 dusky Canada goose or does not comply with requirements listed above regarding checking of birds and recording harvest on the harvest record card, authorization will be invalidated and the hunter will not be able to hunt geese in Goose Management Areas 2A and 2B for the remainder of the season and the special late goose season. It is unlawful to fail to comply with all provisions listed above for Goose Management Areas 2A and 2B.


Special Late Goose Season for Goose Management Area 2A:


Open to WDFW master hunter program graduates and youth hunters (15 years of age or under, who are accompanied by a master hunter) possessing a valid 2012-13 southwest Washington goose hunting authorization and harvest record card, in areas with goose damage in Goose Management Area 2A on the following days, from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.: Saturdays and Wednesdays only, Feb. 2 - Mar. 6, 2013.


Daily Bag Limit: 4 geese, to include not more than 1 dusky Canada goose and 3 cackling geese.


Possession Limit: 8 geese, to include not more than 1 dusky Canada goose and 6 cackling geese.


Season Limit: 1 dusky Canada goose.


A dusky Canada goose is defined as a dark-breasted Canada goose (as shown in the Munsell color chart 10 YR, 5 or less) with a culmen (bill) length of 40-50 mm. A cackling goose is defined as a goose with a culmen (bill) length of 32 mm or less.


Hunters qualifying for the season will be placed on a list for participation in this hunt. WDFW will assist landowners with contacting qualified hunters to participate in damage control hunts on specific lands incurring goose damage. Participation in this hunt will depend on the level of damage experienced by landowners. The special late goose season will be closed by emergency action if the harvest of dusky Canada geese exceeds 45 for the regular and late seasons. All provisions listed above for Goose Management Area 2A regarding authorization, harvest reporting, and checking requirements also apply to the special late season; except hunters must confirm their participation at least 24 hours in advance by calling the goose hunting hotline (listed on hunting authorization), and hunters must check out by 5:00 p.m. on each hunt day regardless of success. It is unlawful to fail to comply with all provisions listed above for the special late season in Goose Management Area 2A.


Goose Management Area 3


Includes all parts of Western Washington not included in Goose Management Areas 1, 2A, and 2B: Oct. 13-25, 2012 and Nov. 3, 2012 - Jan. 27, 2013.


Daily Bag Limit: 4 geese.


Possession Limit: 8 geese.


Eastern Washington Goose Seasons


Goose Management Area 4


Adams, Benton, Chelan, Douglas, Franklin, Grant, Kittitas, Lincoln, Okanogan, Spokane, and Walla Walla counties: Saturdays, Sundays, and Wednesdays only during Oct. 13, 2012 - Jan. 20, 2013; Nov. 22 and 23, 2012; Dec. 25, 27, 28, and 31, 2012; Jan. 1, 2013, and every day Jan. 21-27, 2013.


Goose Management Area 5


Includes all parts of Eastern Washington not included in Goose Management Area 4: Oct. 13-17, 2012, every day from Oct. 20, 2012 - Jan. 27, 2013.


Bag Limits for all Eastern Washington Goose Management Areas:


Daily Bag Limit: 4 geese.


Possession Limit: 8 geese.


BRANT


Open in Skagit County only on the following dates: Jan. 12, 13, 16, 19, 20, 23, 26, and 27, 2013.


If the 2012-13 preseason brant population in Skagit County is below 6,000 (as determined by the early January survey), the brant season in Skagit County will be canceled.


Open in Pacific County only on the following dates: Jan. 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 13, 15, 17, 19, and 20, 2013.


AUTHORIZATION AND HARVEST RECORD CARD REQUIRED TO HUNT BRANT


Hunters must possess a special 2012-13 migratory bird hunting authorization and harvest record card for brant when hunting brant. Hunters who did not possess a 2011-12 brant harvest record card must submit an application form to WDFW. Immediately after taking a brant into possession, hunters must record in ink the information required on the harvest record card.


Bag Limits for Skagit and Pacific counties:


Daily Bag Limit: 2 brant.


Possession Limit: 4 brant.


SWANS


Season closed statewide.


MANDATORY REPORTING FOR MIGRATORY BIRD HARVEST RECORD CARDS


Hunters must report 2012-13 harvest information from band-tailed pigeon harvest record cards to WDFW for receipt by Sept. 30, 2012, and harvest information from brant, sea duck, and snow goose harvest record cards to WDFW for receipt by Feb. 15, 2013. Every person issued a migratory bird hunting authorization and harvest record card must return the entire card to WDFW or report the card information at the designated internet site listed on the harvest record card. Any hunter failing to report by the deadline will be in noncompliance of reporting requirements. Hunters who have not reported hunting activity by the reporting deadline for any harvest record card acquired in 2012-13 will be required to pay a $10 administrative fee before any new 2013-14 migratory bird authorization and harvest record card will be issued. A hunter may only be penalized a maximum of $10 during a license year.


FALCONRY SEASONS


DUCKS, COOTS, AND SNIPE
(Falconry)


(Bag limits include geese and mourning doves.)


Oct. 13-17, 2012 and Oct. 20, 2012 - Jan. 27, 2013 statewide.


Daily Bag Limit: 3, straight or mixed bag with geese and mourning doves during established seasons.


Possession Limit: 6, straight or mixed bag with geese and mourning doves during established seasons.


GEESE (Falconry)


(Bag limits include ducks, coot, snipe, and mourning doves.)


Goose Management Area 1: Oct. 13, 2012 - Jan. 27, 2013 for snow, Ross', or blue geese. Oct. 13-25, 2012 and Nov. 3, 2012 - Jan. 27, 2013 for other geese.


Goose Management Area 2A: Saturdays, Sundays, and Wednesdays only, Nov. 10-25, 2012 and Dec. 5, 2012 - Jan. 27, 2013.


Goose Management Area 2B: Saturdays and Wednesdays only, Oct. 13-24, 2012 and Nov. 3, 2012 - Jan. 19, 2013.


Goose Management Areas 3, 4, and 5: Oct. 13-25, 2012 and Nov. 3, 2012 - Jan. 27, 2013.


Daily Bag Limit for All Areas: 3 geese (except brant), straight or mixed bag with ducks, coots, snipe, and mourning doves during established seasons.


Possession Limit for All Areas: 6 geese (except brant), straight or mixed bag with ducks, coots, snipe, and mourning doves during established seasons.

[]

© Washington State Code Reviser's Office