PROPOSED RULES
FISH AND WILDLIFE
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.
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