Blaze orange requirements

[andersonjk4]

The last 3 bullets of the Hunter orange section "Hunter Orange is NOT Required" reads as an exception to all of the sections before it.  So if you are hunting in a Muzzleloading or Archery only season with said tag you do not need to wear orange even if there might be other seasons going on.

If you are hunting inside the 3911 boundaries during the time a Master Hunter season is open, you need to wear orange or you will likely be cited.

Here's the full WAC:


WAC 220-414-080


Hunting—Hunter orange clothing requirements.


(1) Except as authorized in subsection (6) of this section, it is unlawful to hunt upland birds or rabbits during any upland game bird season unless the hunter is wearing fluorescent hunter orange clothing.

(2) It is unlawful to hunt deer or elk during all modern firearm general seasons in any manner unless the hunter is wearing fluorescent hunter orange clothing.

(3) All modern firearm permit holders must wear fluorescent hunter orange clothing.

(4) All master hunters must wear fluorescent hunter orange clothing during all deer and elk hunting seasons that allow the use of modern firearms, except as authorized by department permit.

(5) It is unlawful to hunt bear, cougar, bobcat, raccoon, fox, coyote, rabbit, forest grouse, turkey or hare during those times and in those places open to the taking of deer or elk during a modern firearm season, unless the hunter is wearing fluorescent hunter orange clothing.

(6) Persons who are hunting upland game birds during an upland game bird season with a muzzleloading firearm, bow and arrow or falconry are not required to wear fluorescent hunter orange clothing.

(7) Wearing fluorescent hunter orange clothing means: A minimum of 400 square inches of fluorescent hunter orange exterior clothing, worn above the waist and visible from all sides.

I think you are right Bob33.  I didn't realize the example Master Hunter hunt in 3911 Jackelope was using is actually listed in the general modern firearm elk seasons.  I was thinking it was a special permit hunt. 

As for whether the whole GMU or just the hunt area would require orange, I would say just the area open to modern firearm hunting would require orange.  Not the whole unit.

From the Hunter Orange section from the margin next to Modern Elk seasons: "is required for anyone hunting in an area open to modern firearm deer or elk general seasons"   

[10mmg]

Interesting. I read the word “general” in the regs to mean the open season for the otc tags not the special draw permits or other than general seasons. Given that both deer and elk have “general” seasons that is the connection when reading the hunter orange requirements. If they meant it to cover special tags or mh season they would not have stipulated the “general” season in the regs. I think they are trying to protect the masses during open season.

All opinions are subject to change as more information becomes available. That’s my way of saying I don’t know it all.

[81husky]

Line 3 is my favorite. "(3) All modern firearm permit holders must wear fluorescent hunter orange clothing. What? All the time? Sitting here at my computer?

[jackelope]

Not even a minute had gone by from my previous post and you were bumping it?

i didnt have anything to post but wanted to check back.Isnt that what the bump is for?If not what would you like me to put in to be able to come back to it without searching.Doesn't everyone do that from time to time?  YES.

Bump is for bringing the thread back to the top so folks see it.
I think what people normally use if they want to be able to check back is "tagging" or "following" or something along those lines... although anything would work. You could also utilize the bookmark function in the tabs above near the top of your page.

[Oh Mah]

 

[jackelope]

Interesting. I read the word “general” in the regs to mean the open season for the otc tags not the special draw permits or other than general seasons. Given that both deer and elk have “general” seasons that is the connection when reading the hunter orange requirements. If they meant it to cover special tags or mh season they would not have stipulated the “general” season in the regs. I think they are trying to protect the masses during open season.

All opinions are subject to change as more information becomes available. That’s my way of saying I don’t know it all.

The MH seasons in elk areas 3911 and 3912 are OTC "general seasons." No special permit required other than you being a Master Hunter.

[jackelope]

You have to go to the back of the reg’s to where the area descriptions are posted. It’s not specific to a gmu. 

[724wd]

what's the fine for a dress code violation? 

[Russ McDonald]

It is interpreted by WDFW that you must wear bkaze orange during any season that falls under general eifle including Master Hunter.  The facebook discussion started with me aaking WDFW that exact question about clarification of blaze orange during turkey season.  The response was this
Dear Mr. McDonald,
 
Thank you for contacting the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.
 
Yes, you are correct. Hunter orange is required for turkey when it overlaps with a modern firearm season. Since the Master Hunter season started July 1 for Regions 4, 5, and 6, and started August 1 for Regions 1, 2, and 3, and runs through March 31 for all regions, hunter orange is required to hunt bear, bighorn sheep, bobcat, cougar, coyote, deer, elk, fox, grouse, hare, moose, mountain goat, rabbit, raccoon, and turkey during those dates.
 
Sincerely,
 
Wildlife Program Customer Service
(360) 902-2515
 
I shot this up to my regional director of the NWTF, some you may know, who was a LE for WDFW and he shot a email up to the top to clarifiy and fix if needed.  Response back to him was that a emergency  addendum will be coming out soon.  Hope it happens soon fall turkey starts opening day of archery deer.


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[Bob33]

It is interpreted by WDFW that you must wear bkaze orange during any season that falls under general eifle including Master Hunter.  The facebook discussion started with me aaking WDFW that exact question about clarification of blaze orange during turkey season.  The response was this
Dear Mr. McDonald,
 
Thank you for contacting the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.
 
Yes, you are correct. Hunter orange is required for turkey when it overlaps with a modern firearm season. Since the Master Hunter season started July 1 for Regions 4, 5, and 6, and started August 1 for Regions 1, 2, and 3, and runs through March 31 for all regions, hunter orange is required to hunt bear, bighorn sheep, bobcat, cougar, coyote, deer, elk, fox, grouse, hare, moose, mountain goat, rabbit, raccoon, and turkey during those dates.
 
Sincerely,
 
Wildlife Program Customer Service
(360) 902-2515
 
I shot this up to my regional director of the NWTF, some you may know, who was a LE for WDFW and he shot a email up to the top to clarifiy and fix if needed.  Response back to him was that a emergency  addendum will be coming out soon.  Hope it happens soon fall turkey starts opening day of archery deer.


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The hunter orange WAC was amended this year.

http://lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/law/wsr/2018/11/18-11-061.htm
"WAC 220-414-080 Hunting—Hunter orange clothing requirements, this proposal adds turkey to the hunter orange rule and requires turkey hunters that are hunting during a modern deer or elk firearm season to wear fluorescent orange.

The WAC now reads:

(5) It is unlawful to hunt bear, cougar, bobcat, raccoon, fox, coyote, rabbit, forest grouse, turkey or hare during those times and in those places open to the taking of deer or elk during a modern firearm season, unless the hunter is wearing fluorescent hunter orange clothing.

http://apps.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=220-414-080

[Oh Mah]

Why the change?Did we have a higher than normal accident year?Bull to just change rules without reason this is why so many(not just hunters)are so tired of the over reach in this state. 

[Rainier10]

Why the change?Did we have a higher than normal accident year?Bull to just change rules without reason this is why so many(not just hunters)are so tired of the over reach in this state. 

My guess is they opened up turkey in an area with modern firearms or opened up an area to modern firearm hunting last year or this year and needed to change the rule.

I know that in master hunter elk areas open to modern firearms you have to wear hunter orange archery hunting elk or deer if you are in the overlap area.  It is a safety thing.

[Oh Mah]

did you have to wear blaze orange in these 2 elk areas last year?During M/H Hunting season?

[Russ McDonald]

Turkey season now runs from September 1st to December not early and late season anymore that is the reason for the wearing of blaze orange during general rifle season and turkey season.  We can Monday QB this all day long.  WDFW  told me since there is a master hunter season going on, they did not specify GMU, you must wear hunter orange and not just for turkey hunting.  Now I know you can call into WDFW with the same question  to 3 different employees and get 3 different answers.  The interpretation by most people is exaclty what jackelope read and what WDFW sees too.  They did admit they were wrong and would do an emergency correction.  Pretty cut and dry if you ask me.  They messed up and said they would fix it.  Now it is a hurry up and wait

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[Rainier10]

did you have to wear blaze orange in these 2 elk areas last year?During M/H Hunting season?

uh... yes, for the past three seasons that I can recall and maybe four.