rabbit hunting near vancouver wa

[alex77147]

Hi everyone, I wanna get into rabbit hunting.  Trying to find a place as close to vancouver wa as possible.  Also I plan on using my .22 air rifle that has 60fpe which is enough energy imo to take a rabbit.  Any input is helpful, thanks in advance

[Curly]

Not legal to use air rifles.  Also, I hope you're just thinking ahead to when the season opens again.   Somebody should chime in for suggestions on where to go near Vancouver; I would think the logging roads out to the east of Vancouver...........

[h2ofowlr]

Lower river road or the public hunt off of La Framboys Rd. would be good options.  You would have to use a shotgun with non-toxic shot or a bow.  You can't use a air or pellet rifle legally.  You will also have to check out the seasons as it may be closed right now.

[alex77147]

thanks guys, Curly why is it illegal to shoot them with an air rifle?

[Donaye37]

rabbit season is sept 1-march 15, good hunting 

[Kola16]

thanks guys, Curly why is it illegal to shoot them with an air rifle?

I don't think anyone on here has a for sure answer for that. Only speculations.....

[alex77147]

thanks guys, Curly why is it illegal to shoot them with an air rifle?

I don't think anyone on here has a for sure answer for that. Only speculations.....

I thought as long as the area allows it you can? there are specific signs down lower river road that says shotguns and bows only and NO PELLET GUNS so thats obvious but idk if thats for hunting or target practice as well. 

[HighlandLofts]

I,ve seen signs in certain areas where only steel shot was allowed, as far as useing a pellet rifle I have no idea. You'd have to call the wildlife dept. and ask them. I'd use a 22long rifle, a 22 magnum or a 17HMR instead of a pellet gun. A couple of beagles & a 20 gauge double barrel is a lot more fun.

[Curly]

From page 76 of the 2012 Hunting regs, under "Prohibited Hunting Methods":

11. Prohibited firearms/hunting methods
It is illegal to:
• Hunt game birds with a shotgun capable of holding more than three shells.
• Hunt game birds with a rifle or pistol, except forest grouse.
• Hunt game birds or game animals with anything other than a firearm, a bow and arrow, or by falconry. Bullfrogs may only be taken by angling, hand dip netting, gigging, and bow and arrow.

Many years ago I killed a limit of grouse with a slingshot.  I didn't realize it wasn't a legal method until sometime later when I happened to read this section.  Just trying to help keep you from making a similar mistake.

[alex77147]

From page 76 of the 2012 Hunting regs, under "Prohibited Hunting Methods":

11. Prohibited firearms/hunting methods
It is illegal to:
• Hunt game birds with a shotgun capable of holding more than three shells.
• Hunt game birds with a rifle or pistol, except forest grouse.
• Hunt game birds or game animals with anything other than a firearm, a bow and arrow, or by falconry. Bullfrogs may only be taken by angling, hand dip netting, gigging, and bow and arrow.

Many years ago I killed a limit of grouse with a slingshot.  I didn't realize it wasn't a legal method until sometime later when I happened to read this section.  Just trying to help keep you from making a similar mistake.

Thanks for the help, I still dont understand why?  Hunters do it worldwide so I don't understand why it would be illegal.  If its because of lead then I can use an alloy pellet, if its because of power then I don't know what to say because my 32grain .22 pellet travels at about 950-1000fps which is about 60fpe and some subsonic cartridges for the .22lr are rated at 40fpe and you can use that but not a 60fpe air rifle ?

[h2ofowlr]

No one has pushed the pellet gun hunting with the state.  Maybe down the road.  You can use them on barn pigeons and starlings!

[pianoman9701]

From page 76 of the 2012 Hunting regs, under "Prohibited Hunting Methods":

11. Prohibited firearms/hunting methods
It is illegal to:
• Hunt game birds with a shotgun capable of holding more than three shells.
• Hunt game birds with a rifle or pistol, except forest grouse.
• Hunt game birds or game animals with anything other than a firearm, a bow and arrow, or by falconry. Bullfrogs may only be taken by angling, hand dip netting, gigging, and bow and arrow.

Many years ago I killed a limit of grouse with a slingshot.  I didn't realize it wasn't a legal method until sometime later when I happened to read this section.  Just trying to help keep you from making a similar mistake.

Thanks for the help, I still dont understand why?  Hunters do it worldwide so I don't understand why it would be illegal.  If its because of lead then I can use an alloy pellet, if its because of power then I don't know what to say because my 32grain .22 pellet travels at about 950-1000fps which is about 60fpe and some subsonic cartridges for the .22lr are rated at 40fpe and you can use that but not a 60fpe air rifle ?

Are you trying to convince us? That probably will have zero effect. F&W laws are written by either the Wildlife Commission or the legislature. Very few are written by HuntWA members.  If it's something you're passionate about, start writing letters.

[dawei]

Well an air rifle is a firearm so it should be legal.

[pianoman9701]

WAC 232-13-030 Definitions.

 (12) "Firearm," as defined in RCW 9.41.010, means a weapon or device from which a projectile or projectiles may be fired by an explosive such as gunpowder. For purposes of this chapter, "firearm" does not include BB guns, pellet guns, paintball guns, or other guns that use compressed air as a propellant, or immobilization guns used in animal restraint by department personnel.

[alex77147]

From page 76 of the 2012 Hunting regs, under "Prohibited Hunting Methods":

11. Prohibited firearms/hunting methods
It is illegal to:
• Hunt game birds with a shotgun capable of holding more than three shells.
• Hunt game birds with a rifle or pistol, except forest grouse.
• Hunt game birds or game animals with anything other than a firearm, a bow and arrow, or by falconry. Bullfrogs may only be taken by angling, hand dip netting, gigging, and bow and arrow.

Many years ago I killed a limit of grouse with a slingshot.  I didn't realize it wasn't a legal method until sometime later when I happened to read this section.  Just trying to help keep you from making a similar mistake.

Thanks for the help, I still dont understand why?  Hunters do it worldwide so I don't understand why it would be illegal.  If its because of lead then I can use an alloy pellet, if its because of power then I don't know what to say because my 32grain .22 pellet travels at about 950-1000fps which is about 60fpe and some subsonic cartridges for the .22lr are rated at 40fpe and you can use that but not a 60fpe air rifle ?

Are you trying to convince us? That probably will have zero effect. F&W laws are written by either the Wildlife Commission or the legislature. Very few are written by HuntWA members.  If it's something you're passionate about, start writing letters.

well no, a sane individual doesn't need to be convinced.  its like having laws for what you can and can't eat with a fork or a spoon, it doesn't make much sense(yes a fork or spoon might be more suitable for one meal than another but as long as you can eat it why not?).  I kinda feel bummed out because I spent a decent amount of money building this thing for small game only to find out its illegal :-/  Anyway who do I write letters to? 

[bare.hunter]

The area around vancouver lake is a firearm restricted area.I coon hunt and trap there and there are alot of rabbits and alot of public land.Go west on fourth plain blvd until it ends walk off the end of the road and you should have a race in a few minutes

[bare.hunter]

The area around vancouver lake is a firearm restricted area.I coon hunt and trap there and there are alot of rabbits and alot of public land.Go west on fourth plain blvd until it ends walk off the end of the road and you should have a race in a few minutes

You do have beagles right.

[alex77147]

The area around vancouver lake is a firearm restricted area.I coon hunt and trap there and there are alot of rabbits and alot of public land.Go west on fourth plain blvd until it ends walk off the end of the road and you should have a race in a few minutes

I got no dogs, don't have the room to keep em.  which part are you talking about? cause I thought that you can hunt vancouver lake on la frambois road and at the end of lower river road past vancouver lake part but only with a shotgun or a bow.  I'm tempted to just go shoot anyway but I dont wanna break the law.

[pianoman9701]

Alex, the pellet, air, and BB guns have been illegal all along. So, sorry about what you've spent on building these, but you might have done the research first. The law has to do with humane kills. Perhaps it was written before you could get a pellet gun capable of killing humanely, but that's why the law is there.

As far as who to write is concerned, start with your state representative or senator and ask them if they'll look into it with F&W for you. You also might consider writing the wildlife commission. All of these contacts are available online by email, but a hand-written letter will get more attention.

[alex77147]

Alex, the pellet, air, and BB guns have been illegal all along. So, sorry about what you've spent on building these, but you might have done the research first. The law has to do with humane kills. Perhaps it was written before you could get a pellet gun capable of killing humanely, but that's why the law is there.

As far as who to write is concerned, start with your state representative or senator and ask them if they'll look into it with F&W for you. You also might consider writing the wildlife commission. All of these contacts are available online by email, but a hand-written letter will get more attention.

I see what you are saying, but high power air guns have been around for a long time.  But when someone says air gun most people think of their daisy bb gun not something that would sling a .45 cal 450grain slug at over 800 feet per second.  I thought i posted this on here but did you guys know Lewis and Clark hunted with an air gun? Check this out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-pqFyKh-rUI

Part of the real reason I didn't research much about air gun hunting in our state is I have heard many things like you can get permission to hunt with it after it is inspected and is powerful enough to kill game.  Another reason is I have been watching a lot of videos in which people all over the globe hunt with air guns and figured well it must be legal in every state. 

[jstanley]

I think the website should let you re title posts. This quickly went off the topic of rabbit hunting  hahaha

[alex77147]

I think the website should let you re title posts. This quickly went off the topic of rabbit hunting  hahaha

lol sorry, yeah if I cant use my air gun i'm still interested, I guess ill have to get a .22 or a .17hmr

[pianoman9701]

I think the website should let you re title posts. This quickly went off the topic of rabbit hunting  hahaha

lol sorry, yeah if I cant use my air gun i'm still interested, I guess ill have to get a .22 or a .17hmr

Not on Vancouver Lake or Lower River by Shilapoo - shotgun and bow only. a .22 or .17 would be very unsafe there.

[alex77147]

I think the website should let you re title posts. This quickly went off the topic of rabbit hunting  hahaha

lol sorry, yeah if I cant use my air gun i'm still interested, I guess ill have to get a .22 or a .17hmr

Not on Vancouver Lake or Lower River by Shilapoo - shotgun and bow only. a .22 or .17 would be very unsafe there.

Yeah don't worry I won't be using those there, so any other area but that one will have to do. 

[BiggLuke]

Yes you can use an air rifle, and yes you can shoot them now.... however....
You are limited to feral rabbits that may have escaped and gone wild.

I know near where I live, I had an ex who lived in down town poulsbo and there were hundreds of those suckers all over the place.
Every shape and color.
The City of poulsbo has rules against firearms being used in city limits.... but, her uncle, who was a local sheriff deputy said it was perfectly legal to control these "Feral" animals with a "BB gun"

I never had the chance to, but he said his kids would take 10 or 20 a summer in their back yard as practice for the hunting season.

My advice, find a farm that needs some help.
Or post a flyer at the local feed store explaining you want rabbit meat, and will come catch it yourself. 

[dawei]

I,ve seen signs in certain areas where only steel shot was allowed, as far as useing a pellet rifle I have no idea. You'd have to call the wildlife dept. and ask them. I'd use a 22long rifle, a 22 magnum or a 17HMR instead of a pellet gun. A couple of beagles & a 20 gauge double barrel is a lot more fun.

That's how I do it!!!!!

[alex77147]

Yes you can use an air rifle, and yes you can shoot them now.... however....
You are limited to feral rabbits that may have escaped and gone wild.

I know near where I live, I had an ex who lived in down town poulsbo and there were hundreds of those suckers all over the place.
Every shape and color.
The City of poulsbo has rules against firearms being used in city limits.... but, her uncle, who was a local sheriff deputy said it was perfectly legal to control these "Feral" animals with a "BB gun"

I never had the chance to, but he said his kids would take 10 or 20 a summer in their back yard as practice for the hunting season.

My advice, find a farm that needs some help.
Or post a flyer at the local feed store explaining you want rabbit meat, and will come catch it yourself. 

So I did find out it is illegal to use an air rifle for any kind of hunting in WA except for unclassified wildlife, I dont know if it is any different for pest control on a farm lol.  So the European rabbit is unclassified that means I can hunt it, do we have any here?  Another thing is how can you tell them apart at say 50-100yards? cottontail, european they all look the same to me at that distance.