PERMANENT RULES
FISH AND WILDLIFE
Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing.
Purpose: Amending WAC 232-16-050 Byron Game Reserve; adopting WAC 232-28-433 2009-10 Migratory waterfowl seasons and regulations; and repealing WAC 232-28-432 2008-09 Migratory waterfowl seasons and regulations.
Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 232-28-432; and amending WAC 232-16-050.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 77.12.047, 77.12.020, 77.12.040, 77.12.570, and 77.12.210.
Adopted under notice filed as WSR 09-14-057 on June 26, 2009.
Changes Other than Editing from Proposed to Adopted Version: WAC 232-28-433 2009-10 Migratory waterfowl seasons and regulations.
| • | Duck season daily bag/possession limits were increased from 1/2 to 2/4 for pintail and 2/4 to 3/6 for scaup because of higher breeding populations for these species and additional harvest opportunity allowed by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. |
| • | Hunting authorization requirements for sea duck, snow goose, and brant were changed to delete references to methods of issuance and reporting. This change will allow more flexibility as a contingency for any problems with incorporation of these authorizations into the WILD system prior to the 2009 season. |
| • | Dates for drawings in the quality hunting program in Goose Management Area 1 were expanded from five dates to every Saturday during the season, and expanded to all units in the program to decrease potential confusion and allow additional opportunity for hunters from other parts of the state. |
| • | For the quality hunting program in Goose Management Area 1, the date by which hunters are required to submit their special quality hunt authorizations was changed from October 2, 2009 to September 25, 2009. This change was made to allow additional time to process and mail authorizations. |
| • | Dusky goose quotas were reduced from 10 to 5 at Ridgefield NWR, increased from 15 to 18 in Zone 3, and increased from 5 to 7 in Zone 4 to optimize quota distribution for depredation control purposes. |
| • | Total dusky goose quota listed for the regular and late season was reduced from 85 to 45 for conservation of dusky Canada geese because of recent population declines. |
| • | Under Eastern Washington Goose Seasons, Goose Management Area 4, January 18, 2010, was added to the list of season dates. This change was made to compensate for the loss of hunting days in September. |
A final cost-benefit analysis is available by contacting Lori Preuss, 600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA 98501-1091, phone (360) 902-2930, fax (360) 902-2155, e-mail lori.preuss@dfw.wa.gov.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 1, Amended 1, Repealed 1.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Date Adopted: August 8, 2009.
Susan Yeager
for Miranda Wecker, Chair
Fish and Wildlife Commission
OTS-2509.1
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending Order 05-174, filed 8/15/05,
effective 9/15/05)
WAC 232-16-050
Byron Game Reserve.
That part of the
Byron Ponds segment of the Sunnyside Wildlife Area (department
of fish and wildlife lands) east of the Mabton Pressure
Pipeline, legally described as the W.1/2 of Section 12 that is
north of ((U.S.)) Highway No. ((410)) 22 except for the NE1/4
of the SE1/4 of the SW1/4; the NW1/4 of the NW1/4 of the SE1/4
of Section 12; that part of Section 11 east of the Mabton
pressure pipeline and north of ((U.S.)) Highway No. ((410))
22; and that part of Section 2 that is east of said pipeline;
all of the above sections being in Twp. 8N., R.23E.W.M.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 77.12.047. 05-17-098 (Order 05-174), § 232-16-050, filed 8/15/05, effective 9/15/05; Order, filed 7/29/64; Resolution 168, filed 3/21/60.]
OTS-2523.1
REPEALER
The following section of the Washington Administrative Code is repealed:
| WAC 232-28-432 | 2008-09 Migratory waterfowl seasons and regulations. |
OTS-2508.2
NEW SECTION
WAC 232-28-433
2009-10 Migratory waterfowl seasons and
regulations.
DUCKS
Statewide
Oct. 17-21, 2009 and Oct. 24, 2009 - Jan. 31, 2010; except
scaup season closed Oct. 17 - Nov. 6.
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. 26-27, 2009.
Daily bag limit: 7 ducks, to include not more than 2 hen
mallard, 2 pintail, 3 scaup, 1 canvasback, 2 redhead, 1
harlequin, 4 scoter, and 4 long-tailed duck.
Possession limit: 14 ducks, to include not more than 4 hen
mallard, 4 pintail, 6 scaup, 2 canvasback, 4 redhead, 1
harlequin, 8 scoter, and 8 long-tailed duck.
Season limit: 1 harlequin.
AUTHORIZATION REQUIRED TO HUNT SEA DUCKS.
When hunting sea ducks (harlequin, scoter, long-tailed duck)
in Western Washington, all persons are required to possess a
sea duck hunting authorization and harvest report. Hunters
who did not possess a 2008-09 authorization must submit an
application form to WDFW (forms available on-line and at
Washington department of fish and wildlife, Olympia and
regional offices).
Immediately after taking a sea duck into possession, hunters
must record in ink the information required on the harvest
report. Hunters must report harvest information by February
15, 2010. Hunters failing to comply with reporting
requirements will be ineligible to participate in the 2010-11
sea duck season.
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. 26-27, 2009, 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. 17, 2009 - Jan. 31, 2010 for snow, Ross', or blue geese.
Oct. 17-29, 2009 and Nov. 7, 2009 - Jan. 31, 2010 for other geese (except Brant).
Daily bag limit: 4 geese.
Possession limit: 8 geese.
AUTHORIZATION REQUIRED TO HUNT SNOW GEESE.
When hunting snow geese in Goose Management Area 1, all
persons are required to possess a snow goose hunting
authorization and harvest report. Hunters who did not possess
a 2008-09 authorization must submit an application form to
WDFW (forms available on-line and at Washington department of
fish and wildlife, Olympia and regional offices).
Immediately after taking a snow goose into possession, hunters
must record in ink the information required on the harvest
report. Hunters must report harvest information by February
15, 2010. Hunters failing to comply with reporting
requirements will be ineligible to participate in the 2010-11
snow goose season.
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. While hunting snow geese on Fir
Island, if a hunter is convicted of 1) trespass, 2) shooting
from, across, or along the maintained part of any public
highway, 3) discharging a firearm for the purpose of hunting
waterfowl within 100 feet of any paved public road on Fir
Island in Skagit County, or 4) exceeding the daily bag limit
for snow geese, authorization will be invalidated for the
remainder of the 2009-10 snow goose season and an
authorization will not be issued for the 2010-11 snow goose
season.
QUALITY HUNTING PROGRAM IN GOOSE MANAGEMENT AREA 1.
Hunters possessing a snow goose hunting authorization for
Goose Management Area 1 can apply for a special quality hunt
authorization to access private lands around Fir Island.
Hunters must apply for these special authorizations by
September 25, 2009, using the department's internet or mail
application systems. Private lands enrolled in the program
are only open to hunters with quality hunt authorizations.
Most program lands are open as Feel Free to Hunt or Register
to Hunt. All hunters must hunt over decoys and obey posted
signs regarding access restrictions. Quality hunt
authorizations are not valid for commercial uses.
On each Saturday during the season, all units in the program
will be open only to hunters selected in random drawings for
each hunt day. Hunters will be assigned at random to units
for each hunt day. On these hunt days, up to 3 individuals
possessing snow goose authorizations can hunt with the
successful applicant. Successful applicants must check in
with the WDFW hunt coordinator at least one week prior to
their scheduled hunting day to receive specific hunting unit
information.
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 a.m. to 4:00
p.m., Saturdays, Sundays, and Wednesdays only, Nov. 14-29,
2009 and Dec. 9, 2009 - Jan. 31, 2010, except closed Dec. 25,
2009 and Jan. 1, 2010. Ridgefield NWR open from 8 a.m. to
4:00 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays only, Nov. 19-28,
2009 and Dec. 10, 2009 - Jan. 31, 2010, except closed Nov. 26.
Bag limits for Goose Management Area 2A:
Daily bag limit: 4 geese, to include not more than 1 dusky
Canada goose and 2 cackling geese.
Possession limit: 8 geese, to include not more than 1 dusky
Canada goose and 4 cackling geese.
Season limit: 1 dusky Canada goose.
Goose Management Area 2B
Pacific County.
Open from 8 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Saturdays and Wednesdays only,
Oct. 17, 2009 - Jan. 16, 2010.
Bag limits for Goose Management Area 2B:
Daily bag limit: 4 geese, to include not more than 1 dusky
Canada goose, 1 Aleutian goose, and 2 cackling geese.
Possession limit: 8 geese, to include not more than 1 dusky
Canada goose, 2 Aleutian geese, and 4 cackling 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);
18 for Zone 3 (Clark County except Ridgefield NWR); 7 for Zone
4 (Cowlitz County north of the Kalama River and Wahkiakum
County); and 5 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.
Hunting is only permitted by authorization, available at any
WDFW license vendor to hunters who have met requirements for
participation. New hunters and those who did not maintain a
valid 2008-09 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.
With authorization, hunters will receive a harvest report.
Hunters must carry the authorization card and harvest report
while hunting. Immediately after taking any goose into
possession, hunters must record in ink the information
required on the harvest report. Hunters must go directly to
the nearest check station and have geese tagged when leaving a
hunt site, before 6:00 p.m. If a hunter takes the season bag
limit of one dusky Canada goose or does not comply with
requirements listed above regarding checking of birds and
recording harvest on the harvest report, 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 Washington department of fish and wildlife master
hunter program graduates and youth hunters (15 years of age or
under, who are accompanied by a master hunter) possessing a
valid 2009-10 southwest Washington goose hunting
authorization, 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. 6 - Mar. 10, 2010.
Daily bag limit: 4 geese, to include not more than 1 dusky
Canada goose and 2 cackling geese.
Possession limit: 8 geese, to include not more than 1 dusky
Canada goose and 4 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. Washington department of fish and
wildlife 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. 17-29, 2009 and Nov. 7, 2009 - Jan. 31, 2010.
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. 17, 2009 - Jan. 24, 2010; Nov. 11, 26, and 27, 2009; Dec. 25, 28, 29, and
31, 2009; January 1 and 18, 2010; and every day Jan. 25-31,
2010.
Goose Management Area 5
Includes all parts of Eastern Washington not included in Goose
Management Area 4.
Oct. 17-21, 2009, every day from Oct. 24, 2009 - Jan. 31,
2010.
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. 16, 17, 20, 23, 24, 27, 30, and 31, 2010.
If the 2009-10 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. 9, 10, 12, 14, 16, 17, 19, 21, 23, and 24, 2010.
AUTHORIZATION REQUIRED TO HUNT BRANT
All persons hunting brant in this season are required to
possess a brant hunting authorization and harvest report.
Hunters who did not possess a 2008-09 authorization must
submit an application form to WDFW (forms available on-line
and at Washington department of fish and wildlife, Olympia and
regional offices).
Immediately after taking a brant into possession, hunters must
record in ink the information required on the harvest report.
Hunters must report harvest information by February 15, 2010.
Hunters failing to comply with reporting requirements will be
ineligible to participate in the 2010-11 brant season.
Bag limits for Skagit and Pacific counties:
Daily bag limit: 2 brant.
Possession limit: 4 brant.
SWANS
Season closed statewide.
FALCONRY SEASONS
DUCKS, COOTS, AND SNIPE (Falconry)
(Bag limits include geese and mourning doves.)
Oct. 17-21, 2009 and Oct. 24, 2009 - Jan. 31, 2010 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. 17, 2009 - Jan. 31, 2010 for
snow, Ross', or blue geese. Oct. 17-29, 2009 and Nov. 7, 2009 - Jan. 31, 2010 for other geese.
Goose Management Area 2A: Saturdays, Sundays, and Wednesdays
only, Nov. 14-29, 2009 and Dec. 9, 2009 - Jan. 31, 2010.
Goose Management Area 2B: Saturdays and Wednesdays only, Oct.
17, 2009 - Jan. 17, 2010.
Goose Management Areas 3, 4, and 5: Oct. 17-29, 2009 and Nov.
7, 2009 - Jan. 31, 2010.
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.
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