WAC 220-413-060  Hunting restrictions

Purpose of the proposal and its anticipated effects, including any changes in existing rules:

The specific amendments associated with this proposal includes:

1. A minor clarification to rule language that it is unlawful to hunt any wildlife at night and that it is unlawful to hunt wild animals, except rabbits and hares, with hounds during established modern firearm general deer and elk seasons during the months of October and November. Please note that this is a clarification only and not a substantive change to the existing rules regarding night hunting.
2. Allowing hunters to use one dog controlled by leash during lawful hunting hours and within 72 hours of shooting a big game animal, except bear and cougar, to assist with recovering wounded big game. Anticipated effects of this proposal would be a reduction in the number of big game animals that are mortally wounded, but not recovered.

Reasons supporting proposal:

1. This amendment is a minor administrative change that only provides clarification and does not change the intent of the rule.
2. The Department frequently receives requests from hunters to allow the use of dogs for tracking wounded big game, as is allowed in many other states. Those requests are usually associated with deer and elk hunting, but it is likely to be beneficial for recovering other big game species as well. Additionally, the Department does not believe this would result in an increase in hunters that use dogs to hunt big game unlawfully.