WDFW vs. Widow's property

[ThomMedic]

I was asked by my wife's friend to help get rid of problem deer on her property. She had called the WDFW and the Thurston County Sheriff's office several times, each differing to the other. Finally this summer she was told to go outside her home near Steamboat Island, and shoot the deer.

Partner and I want to avoid trouble so I called the WDFW myself. In essence I was told we can't help her or her property until deer season. I realize now there was much information he did not give.

Partner sent me the RCWs (220-440-200) and they contradicted the tree-hugger. But even what I read seemed to contradict itself. It begins with "Nothing in this section prevents a landowner from protecting their property." Then the rest places so many restrictions as to almost tie our hands.

Any thoughts or information on this.  Thanks

[2MANY]

Bows are quiet.

If an arrow was shot would it be heard?
HHHMMM

[andrew_in_idaho]

Wildlife belongs to the public, even when it is on private property. You can hunt them in season with the proper tags. I only know how depredation works in Idaho but I’m guessing it would be similar in Washington. Until the WDFW offers you the equivalent to IDFG’s depredation tag or kill permit you would be poaching if you were to kill deer even on private property outside of legal hunting seasons and methods. I can guarantee you that Thurston county has exactly zero authority to allow you to kill deer outside of WDFW seasons.


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[KFhunter]

If she doesn't have anything in writing, stamped and certified from WDFW...run away

[idaho guy]

Wildlife belongs to the public, even when it is on private property. You can hunt them in season with the proper tags. I only know how depredation works in Idaho but I’m guessing it would be similar in Washington. Until the WDFW offers you the equivalent to IDFG’s depredation tag or kill permit you would be poaching if you were to kill deer even on private property outside of legal hunting seasons and methods. I can guarantee you that Thurston county has exactly zero authority to allow you to kill deer outside of WDFW seasons.


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  You cant shoot the deer without tags and open season. A lot of people get depredation tags in Idaho but  she would need to be protecting a cash crop not her flowers. Unless Washington is completely different I would not even consider it without a tag

[nwwanderer]

Been down this road, always a cluster, probably only tribal could help the lady.

[ctwiggs1]

Plenty of tags get filled in suburban areas.

[Its_Raining_Brass]

I feel as if a mid to low range air soft gun would help keep them out. 

[lamrith]

I think it is important to note that the law says "property owner".  I read that as the property owner must do it, not hire in or have someone else do it, but the actual owner/tenant must do it.  Anyone else must have tag/season as previously mentioned.

[bobcat]

Even as a landowner you can't just kill deer because you don't want them there. That would be considered poaching. Put up a good fence.

[Pegasus]

Tell her to get some wolves. I bet WDFW would be happy to stock some on her land. Its a win - win game plan.

[grade-creek-rd]

And remember if there is a firearm restriction be sure to look at local, county and state ordinances...for example, in the city of Tacoma there are a lot of deer, and a few parcels of public land and even private lands BUT you cannot discharge a gun, muzzleloader or a bow (including a crossbow) inside city limits...seems every few years someone with a crossbow or archery gear tries to hunt inside the city limits, during deer season, with a license and tag on private property but they still get into trouble because they are not allowed to shoot the weapon, regardless of having proper licenses/tags and seasons.

I'm not too familiar with Steamboat Island but be sure to check before you go there with a bow or crossbow in hand...and also have your friend check to make sure she doesn't have any Home Owners Association (HOA's) that prohibits it either, though that is a civil matter it still causes a mess...

Grade

[ThomMedic]

Thank you Grade-Creek and others. 

[Mudman]

There is soooo many deer pets in that area.  A dog would help?  Or a shout out to hunters who want meat, like at end of late season maybe?  4 guys could clean up a few deer quickly.

[ghosthunter]

Get a paintball gun and mark the sucker for future I’d.
State would probably put out a grant to have the deer with a special pigment studied. But they might see them as a special breed and protect them with a closed season.
Ya never know

Or they might view them as non native and issue a kill permit so they don’t breed with wild populations.

[fishnfur]

Harassment with a paintball gun is an excellent idea.  The other quality idea was the tribal hunter option. The close by Squaxin tribe hunts that area.  I have no doubt they would love to help her out.  I'm not too sure they follow the gun laws too closely though.........   Perhaps a chat with the tribal elders might be worth consideration.

[Sneaky]

Harassment with a paintball gun is an excellent idea.  The other quality idea was the tribal hunter option. The close by Squaxin tribe hunts that area.  I have no doubt they would love to help her out.  I'm not too sure they follow the gun laws too closely though.........   Perhaps a chat with the tribal elders might be worth consideration.

treaty hunting rights do not apply to private lands

[ctwiggs1]

Even as a landowner you can't just kill deer because you don't want them there. That would be considered poaching. Put up a good fence.

That's funny!  I don't know of a farmer that doesn't put two or three deer in their freezer and the freezers of their neighbors every year.  I've had this discussion with WDFW officers before, when the state starts paying crop loss and trespass fees for state game they can start regulating farmers shooting them out of their orchards and crops.

Not sure that one will hold up in court

[bobcat]

Here's a story about one man who killed some nuisance animals:

http://nwsportsmanmag.com/kittitas-county-man-fined-heavily-for-wasting-deer/

[Woodchuck]

Even as a landowner you can't just kill deer because you don't want them there. That would be considered poaching. Put up a good fence.

That's funny!  I don't know of a farmer that doesn't put two or three deer in their freezer and the freezers of their neighbors every year.  I've had this discussion with WDFW officers before, when the state starts paying crop loss and trespass fees for state game they can start regulating farmers shooting them out of their orchards and crops.

Not sure that one will hold up in court

Never make it to a court.  I've had game officers tell me that you can't kill deer out of your orchard or out of your garden, then turn around and say straight up, "of course who would know if you did".  Common sense as always, its not a license to go into the commercial venison business.  If a farmer is losing crops aka money from his business due to wild game, have no doubt we will kill that game or other nuisance animal.

Seems like sound legal advice... NOT!!!

[dwils233]

Even as a landowner you can't just kill deer because you don't want them there. That would be considered poaching. Put up a good fence.

That's funny!  I don't know of a farmer that doesn't put two or three deer in their freezer and the freezers of their neighbors every year.  I've had this discussion with WDFW officers before, when the state starts paying crop loss and trespass fees for state game they can start regulating farmers shooting them out of their orchards and crops.

Not sure that one will hold up in court

Never make it to a court.  I've had game officers tell me that you can't kill deer out of your orchard or out of your garden, then turn around and say straight up, "of course who would know if you did".  Common sense as always, its not a license to go into the commercial venison business.  If a farmer is losing crops aka money from his business due to wild game, have no doubt we will kill that game or other nuisance animal.

Man I swear I heard a definition for that kind of behavior somewhere in this thread. If there is an issue, continue to elevate it- WDFW, local politicians, state politicians, WDFW citizen committees, different contacts at WDFW, Ag lobbying groups, etc. Squeaky wheel gets the grease eventually. I'm sure plenty of youth hunters/disabled/any other antlerless tag holder would be more than happy to lend a hand, but there is really no excuse for the unauthorized take of public wildlife

[Craig]

I live on Steamboat island RD. Deer everywhere. I had 3 bucks in my backyard last night. We like watching them and I don’t hunt them. I have a small food plot for them. That’s part of living out here.

[ctwiggs1]

I live on Steamboat island RD. Deer everywhere. I had 3 bucks in my backyard last night. We like watching them and I don’t hunt them. I have a small food plot for them. That’s part of living out here.

I can't even imagine shooting a deer on an area as small as SB Island

[Goldeneye]

This is the island your talking about?  Seems to be pretty populated...

[Craig]

That’s the island. I’m pretty sure most people that talk about steamboat Island are talking about the whole peninsula.

[Craig]

Some of my back yard friends.

[fishnfur]

This is the island your talking about?  Seems to be pretty populated...

I scratched my head when I looked at it too.  Turns out the OP said "near Steamboat" not on.