Changes to take effect in 2013

[Blacktail Sniper]

Found this this morning, not sure if something has been posted or not already.  Apparently these are new infractions and are to take effect this year.

Thinking back to the waste of wildlife thread and coyotes, looks like they have changed/added an infraction that would now include them???

(2) Hunting Infractions:

(c) Wasting wildlife: Killing, taking, or possessing wildlife that is not classified as big game and has a value of less than two hundred fifty dollars, and allowing the wildlife to be wasted.

Link to entire page:

http://apps.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=77.15.160

[xd2005]

Found this this morning, not sure if something has been posted or not already.  Apparently these are new infractions and are to take effect this year.

Thinking back to the waste of wildlife thread and coyotes, looks like they have changed/added an infraction that would now include them???

(2) Hunting Infractions:

(c) Wasting wildlife: Killing, taking, or possessing wildlife that is not classified as big game and has a value of less than two hundred fifty dollars, and allowing the wildlife to be wasted.

Link to entire page:

http://apps.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=77.15.160

This existed at the time of the discussion and a WDFW person still confirmed it would not be wastage if you left it.

[turkeyfeather]

I see two other things that concern me:
1) It looks as though you can no longer hunt squirrels or birds of any sort.
2) If you happen to be walking thru the woods carrying a rifle for protection a gamie could classify that as hunting without tags and licenses.

Am I ready that right?

[xd2005]

Also, I don't think these are new this year. The "New for 2013" or whatever area on top has a link to a bill that passed, which made changes to the section, I believe.

[6x6in6]

I see two other things that concern me:
1) It looks as though you can no longer hunt squirrels or birds of any sort.
2) If you happen to be walking thru the woods carrying a rifle for protection a gamie could classify that as hunting without tags and licenses.

Am I ready that right?

(e) Wild birds: Hunting for and, without yet possessing a wild bird or birds, the person:

     (i) Owns, but fails to have in the person's possession, all licenses, tags, stamps, and permits required under this title; or

     (ii) Violates any department rule regarding seasons, closed areas, closed times, or any other rule addressing the manner or method of hunting wild birds.

For the bird part...I would think they would need to have an element of proof that you were/are in the act of hunting for before they could actually charge you with the crime.
But then again, the State does subscribe to the guilty until proven innocent concept.   

[turkeyfeather]

I see two other things that concern me:
1) It looks as though you can no longer hunt squirrels or birds of any sort.
2) If you happen to be walking thru the woods carrying a rifle for protection a gamie could classify that as hunting without tags and licenses.

Am I ready that right?

(e) Wild birds: Hunting for and, without yet possessing a wild bird or birds, the person:

     (i) Owns, but fails to have in the person's possession, all licenses, tags, stamps, and permits required under this title; or

     (ii) Violates any department rule regarding seasons, closed areas, closed times, or any other rule addressing the manner or method of hunting wild birds.

For the bird part...I would think they would need to have an element of proof that you were/are in the act of hunting for before they could actually charge you with the crime.
But then again, the State does subscribe to the guilty until proven innocent concept.   

That's what I am curious. Correct me if I'm wrong but birds like starlings were legal to shoot without a license right? Now you have to have a license to shoot them.

[csaaphill]

I see two other things that concern me:
1) It looks as though you can no longer hunt squirrels or birds of any sort.
2) If you happen to be walking thru the woods carrying a rifle for protection a gamie could classify that as hunting without tags and licenses.

Am I ready that right?

exactly and say goodbuy to bassmaster compititions here or coyote compitions.
Hunting and fishing may still be legal but good luck keeping up with everything

[elkh8me]

tag

[xd2005]

Guys, the only changes are related to aquatic invasive species. Everything else people keep bringing up was already in the law prior to now.

[bigtex]

Guys, the only changes are related to aquatic invasive species. Everything else people keep bringing up was already in the law prior to now.

That's correct!

History: Prior to Summer 2012 a large portion of fish and wildlife offenses were criminal offenses that could be handled by a fine on a ticket. Effective Summer 2012 the WA Supreme Court ruled ALL criminal offenses required a court date, no more fines on criminal tickets.

In 2012 WDFW went to the state legislature to decriminalize some fish and wildlife offenses. Essentially dropping them from a misdemeanor or gross misdemeanor to a natural resource infraction. Infractions are civil offenses with a fine, no jail time. Speeding tickets, barbed hook, drinking in public are examples of infractions.

No regulations were changed in terms of hunting. The only thing that changed are the penalties, which were actually weakened

[DRobnsn]

Tag