Trapping Seasons & Rules

[bearpaw]

I'm confused too !!! If its unclassified wildlife you can trap and hunt them as long as you have a trapping license and OR small game hunting license as the way I read it ?
  Maybe Bruce will chime in on this

I sent several questions, one question is asking about trapping and hunting licenses.

[JakeLand]

Thank you now things are getting clearer

[Humptulips]

It is my understanding that you can trap any unclassified wildlife year around. I'm not sure why you would want to for the most part.
I did have a little experience with this years ago. At that time the season closed in February. I had a broken leg healing and could not work but I could trap. It was march and I figured civets were still good so I was out trapping them. I ran into a game warden and of course he wanted to know what I was up to. I told him and although he thought I was crazy he said I was within the law.
Now the season is so long I can't really imagine any unclassified wildlife being of any value outside season.
I used to trap coyotes in October also before season opened.

If you try this you better have a good explanation when you get asked because it will happen eventually.

You can trap nuisance wildlife outside season on private property with cage traps even if you are not a WCO. You cannot charge for your services if you are not a WCO though. 

Can unclassified wildlife like Mt Beavers be trapped for bait?

That is the way I read it.

[Kit Carson]

Thanks everyone 

[Redneck Russell]

So leg hold traps are still banned?

[JakeLand]

Yes they are illegal! except by WCO with a special permit and the trap has to have padded jaws to spec !

[Redneck Russell]

Yes they are illegal! except by WCO with a special permit and the trap has to have padded jaws to spec !

OK I'm not really good with that but if that's the law so be it.  Guess there's a reason for everything.

[JakeLand]

Ya it sucks ! But like you said the law is the law .would be nice to have conventional trapping back like that's going to happen

[predatorpro]

Ya it sucks ! But like you said the law is the law .would be nice to have conventional trapping back like that's going to happen

Why can't we just sneak that back into some random bill like everyone else...

[jasnt]

Ya it sucks ! But like you said the law is the law .would be nice to have conventional trapping back like that's going to happen

Why can't we just sneak that back into some random bill like everyone else...

 

[LARK]

When and how was the mandatory 24 hour trap check initiated?  Was there no input from trappers on this?  This appears to be another attempt to really limit trapping in WA. state.

[Magnum_Willys]

When and how was the mandatory 24 hour trap check initiated?  Was there no input from trappers on this?  This appears to be another attempt to really limit trapping in WA. state.

Yea it was one thing if you could use leg-hold drown sets and conibears and check every other day - but daily I could never run a 50 mile line like the old days. 

[Humptulips]

First off there is no 24 hour check requirement for cages. It says an animal must be removed from a restraining set within 24 hours of capture. The only 24 hour check requirement is on bodygripping traps used with a Special Trapping Permit

Right now you are saying I'm splitting hairs but there are good reasons for the wording over a 24 hour check requirement.

As for why and when I am not completely sure of the history but here goes.
I think the current check requirements were adopted in "98 or "99 before Initiative-713 passed. I was not involved but I think there was a lot of fear because trappers knew the Initiative was coming and it was thought that by doing this it would play to the public better so the Initiative might be defeated.
Obviously it didn't work out but it was a good intentioned attempt to help defeat Initiative-713.   

[RafaelG]

I was looking at the trapper ed manual and was wondering if dog proof traps were legal since all other body traps arent

[Cougartail]

I'm declaring Eastern Washington an illegal trapper sanctuary zone. Do as you please as laws no longer matter.