Are wave machines legal?

[scottcrb]

i could see how they would be illegal if used while hunting, they keep the water open and from freezing but hey also make your decoys move and create action in your non powered decoys. one powered device to make another non powered device move im guessing would be illegal.

[Bob33]

Is it a battery-powered or electronic device?

WAC 232-12-257: http://app.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=232-12-257

(1) It is unlawful to hunt waterfowl, wild turkeys, or deer with the use or aid of battery-powered or other electronic devices as decoys.

[JBG]

How 'bout all the folks who think they can split hairs with the law go ahead and give it a shot.  Then report back at the end of the seasons the results!  Who's up 

[irishevox]

i would just call WDFW

[lokidog]

Is it a battery-powered or electronic device?

WAC 232-12-257: http://app.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=232-12-257

(1) It is unlawful to hunt waterfowl, wild turkeys, or deer with the use or aid of battery-powered or other electronic devices as decoys.

This would be the part to challenge as far as what it actually means.  A vibrating floating electric puck could, IMO, be considered "a decoy" but it seems a wave machine would be hard-pressed to be "a decoy" even though it might be moving other decoys.   

[bobcat]

I'm pretty sure that's exactly what the WDFW would say if you called them. Is it a decoy? No. Okay, then it's legal.

[full choke]

Is it a battery-powered or electronic device?

WAC 232-12-257: http://app.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=232-12-257

(1) It is unlawful to hunt waterfowl, wild turkeys, or deer with the use or aid of battery-powered or other electronic devices as decoys.

This would be the part to challenge as far as what it actually means.  A vibrating floating electric puck could, IMO, be considered "a decoy" but it seems a wave machine would be hard-pressed to be "a decoy" even though it might be moving other decoys.   

So... a guy could go buy one of those Cabelas Vortex contraptions that swing decoys around and around, and just put winduks in it in place of battery operated spinning wing decoys? That is the same basic principle as electronics making waves to move decoys. If a guy uses an ice eater at night to keep a hole open that is one thing, if he uses it during the day while he is hunting over decoys that are moving due to the motors actions of making waves, he should probably lawyer up. That is where the AID part comes into play. Who knows, but in my experience with the Game dept. I do not think they will view it as favorable to the hunter.

I vote you should try it out. Just keep us informed on the results.

[lokidog]

I did miss an "or" in there. 

However, if they did not want to confuse and/or mislead people, maybe this law could have more clearly been written something like:  It is unlawful to hunt waterfowl, wild turkey, or deer with the use of any electronic device that attracts game with the use of movement, scent, or sound.  The use of the word aid is superfluous, as when I am using something it is aiding in my goal.  And, the state has already defined battery or other electrically powered things as electronic.  By placing the words "as a decoy" seems to mean just that, as a decoy.

The way it is written looks like it means you can't use battery-powered or other electronic devices as decoys.  If you break the sentence down it looks like this

     ...with the use of battery powered devices as decoys OR the use of other electronic devices as decoys OR the aid of battery-powered devices as decoys OR the aid of other electronic devices as decoys. 

You cannot break the sentence down into ...the use or aid of battery-powered OR the use or aid of other electronic devices as decoys, and have it make sense grammatically.

   Some food for thought.

The stupid part is that these laws should be consistent with Federal law for the Federally managed animals like ducks.

[CP]

I emailed the question to the WDFW a week ago, still no response.  I’m guessing that they are having trouble finding an answer as well. 

[bigtex]

I'm pretty sure that's exactly what the WDFW would say if you called them. Is it a decoy? No. Okay, then it's legal.

The problem is there is no definition of what a decoy is.

[Tealer]

When you use an ice eater to keep a hole open you have to turn it off before you hunt, or do the warden says.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[h2ofowlr]

I have ran across a few videos on Youtube where they are filming the hunt with the ice eater running in the background as they are shooting. 

[irishevox]

i am gonna call b/c i think if i get the info from them i will be 100% sure i will post results after i call

[EWUeagles]

I have ran across a few videos on Youtube where they are filming the hunt with the ice eater running in the background as they are shooting.

I have seen youtube videos of guys shooting over limits, from moving vehicles and shooting 4 shells. Doesn't mean it's legal.

irishvox I will be interested in hearing what you find out. Make sure you get the name of the person who gave you the information.

[Curly]

Yet another poorly worded law.  Who the hell writes these things?  Or do they purposely try to word them to be confusing?