Shoot from the road?

[Noiro]

Thinking about it another place it would not be allowed to spotlight is in Wilderness Areas. Isn't it no mech or tech allowed? So a electric spotlight wouldn't be allowed?

[madcow41]

Here is the RCW. Read it for yourself.

http://apps.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=77.15.460

The pertinent parts about discharge of a firearm:

(2) A person is guilty of unlawful use of a loaded firearm if:

     (a) The person negligently discharges a firearm from, across, or along the maintained portion of a public highway;

Key points:
- The legal restriction is for public roads. (If you are unsafely shooting from a private road you may be charged for a different violation, but not for a violation of this RCW.)
- You must be off the "maintained portion" of the road. There is no set distance.
- You must be shooting "negligently" to be charged. It is up to the officer and judge to decide; you won't get definitive answers on a forum.

So walking a county road and shooting grouse is ok as long as you arent dangerous

[yote]

No shooting or spotlighting from the road bad idea.

Where does it say this???

[bigtex]

It is illegal to possess a weapon AND a light.

You can run around during hunting season with a spotlight all you want as long as you don't have a weapon. The combination of having both a weapon AND a light is what will get you in trouble. Doesn't need to be in a vehicle either, if you set up a blind and are possessing a light and weapon for big game (like what many legally use for coyotes) you would be in violation.

[yote]

Thank you BigTex for clarifying. What I quoted was very non specific - I didn't know he meant during the big game seasons.. makes sense.