Are invasive bullfrogs considered "wildlife"?

[dwils233]

There is a local park with bullfrogs in it that I would like to try my hand at when this the stay home order lifts but there is a sign posted int he park saying to leave wildlife alone? Does that apply to invasive species? I'm not even sure if a city ordinance explicitly outlines what it means but I thought I'd start with a general inquiry to see if they are even included in the general "wildlife" category according to the state since they are invasive and aren't even suppsoed to be alive if in your possession (which includes a water feature in your yard if they show up there, even if its not enforced)...which I would interpret to mean that if they are in a city park, they are in the city's possession and are ok to be harvested. Thoughts?

[HUNTINCOUPLE]

Not sure? But it sure makes me hungry!!!!

[Pegasus]

There is a local park with bullfrogs in it that I would like to try my hand at when this the stay home order lifts but there is a sign posted int he park saying to leave wildlife alone? Does that apply to invasive species? I'm not even sure if a city ordinance explicitly outlines what it means but I thought I'd start with a general inquiry to see if they are even included in the general "wildlife" category according to the state since they are invasive and aren't even suppsoed to be alive if in your possession (which includes a water feature in your yard if they show up there, even if its not enforced)...which I would interpret to mean that if they are in a city park, they are in the city's possession and are ok to be harvested. Thoughts?

Pretty sure when you show up with your trident spear and start gigging them that the police won't be far behind no matter whether it is "legal" or not..

[dwils233]

There is a local park with bullfrogs in it that I would like to try my hand at when this the stay home order lifts but there is a sign posted int he park saying to leave wildlife alone? Does that apply to invasive species? I'm not even sure if a city ordinance explicitly outlines what it means but I thought I'd start with a general inquiry to see if they are even included in the general "wildlife" category according to the state since they are invasive and aren't even suppsoed to be alive if in your possession (which includes a water feature in your yard if they show up there, even if its not enforced)...which I would interpret to mean that if they are in a city park, they are in the city's possession and are ok to be harvested. Thoughts?

Pretty sure when you show up with your trident spear and start gigging them that the police won't be far behind no matter whether it is "legal" or not..

I was going to probably target with a fly rod in that area

[Yelper Guy]

I heard they were introduced into the northwest years back, kind of a survival food source.

[Stein]

I would guess the city isn't using the official WDFW definition of wildlife, I wouldn't do it.

[Bob33]

https://apps.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=220-400-020

[DOUBLELUNG]

Ask the city parks director.

[Cylvertip]

They are in the fishing regs I believe.  Gigging is allowed ...  when fishing is open.

[Bob33]

https://apps.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=220-416-120

It is unlawful to take bullfrogs except by angling, hand dip netting, spearing (gigging) or with bow and arrow. There is no daily limit on the number of bullfrogs that may be taken, no possession limit, and no size restrictions.

[Pegasus]

Still would not do that in a public park, especially if you gig them. Some Mom with her kids will report you for sure. Common sense says no. We try not to display our harvested game animals for the same reason. Some poor kid could end up with years of therapy if he saw a frog being gigged.   

[JakeLand]

It’s any different then fishing at a park ! Gig on !

[Pegasus]

It’s any different then fishing at a park ! Gig on !

Good luck with that. Let me know how it turns out.

[Encore 280]

May want to check fishing regs too. I remember years ago in Oregon you needed a fishing license to gig frogs but you didn't need one to dip smelt. Figure that one out. 

[JakeLand]

It’s any different then fishing at a park ! Gig on !

Good luck with that. Let me know how it turns out.

we use to  gig for frogs from the park on cottage lake in Woodinville and never had a issue other then some people couldn’t believe that we ate frog legs

[Norman89]

I grew up in cottage lake took years of training to forget......how hungry I was when people walked by with a bag of frogs 🤣

[JakeLand]

I grew up in cottage lake took years of training to forget......how hungry I was when people walked by with a bag of frogs 🤣

as a little kid I trapped a lot of rats, otter and beaver outta there mr Basetti ( Bassets pond ) hired me to trap the beaver and rats around his 9 hole course

[KFhunter]

Do they have a strong fishy taste? Every frogleg I've ever had was gross, people say "oh those were bad legs, wait till you get some good ones!" 

 ..I've never had any where people say "oh those were great!"   For me to judge by.

Same with gator in Florida, I go to all the gator eating spots and everyone tells me those were bad and I gotta try some good ones!  Never seems to happen LOL

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

[JakeLand]

Soak over night in a light distilled vinegar and water bath then batter , fry and eat

[konradcountry]

Probably depends on how you do it

Hanging out with a pole and a 6 pack all day....might attract unwanted attention.

Spear or bow a couple in the morning....doubt anyone would care.

I just don't see anyone handing out a ticket over catching an invasive species.

If anyone makes a fuss point out that they eat native frogs and ducklings.

[WAcoyotehunter]

Let me know if you want any tips on other places.  We want them ALL GONE. 

[Norman89]

Dispatch as soon as you catch and keep on ice if possible, I prefer mine soaked in buttermilk for at least 2 hours in the fridge batter and fry delicious! I know a few folks that use Frank's red hot wing sauce in place of eggwash before battering and they love em that way

[Knocker of rocks]

I grew up in cottage lake took years of training to forget......how hungry I was when people walked by with a bag of frogs 🤣

Norm's Resort

[JakeLand]

I grew up in cottage lake took years of training to forget......how hungry I was when people walked by with a bag of frogs 🤣

Norm's Resort

ha I haven’t heard that in awhile! We were on the other end where the out flow is

[birdshooter1189]

Are bullfrogs really invasive and harmfull in this area?

I have a small pond on my property....used to have tons of small frogs in it.  Now there's NO small frogs and about 10 big bullfrogs reside in it. 

Last summer, in my pond and other local ponds, I caught several large bull frogs while using frog lures for bass.  (Yes, frogs were biting a rubber frog lure)  That made me start wondering if these bull frogs were wiping out smaller frogs.

I think the bullfrogs are cool because they are so big, but if they are invasive and are actually harming the local native frogs, i might begin an extermination mission around my place.

[Badhabit]

If the bull frogs compete with the smaller WA Leoprard frog its an invasive frog. Kill all bull frogs.

[Donovan]

I live in the Southeast (I plan on moving to the Vancouver area, hence why I'm following this forum).

The way a lot of folks do it around here, aside from gigging and just blasting em with a .22 or pellet rifle, is top water frog lures. They're cannibalistic, so they'll eat smaller frogs/ bullfrogs. Cast out near em, give it a few wiggles, take in maybe 6 inches, wiggle again, rinse and repeat. I'd suggest using a small lure.

Also, the general rule here for most river/ water critters...soak over night in milk or buttermilk, then fry the Jesus out of it.

Throw em in a lidded cooler with ice, that way the Karens don't get too upset that you're fishing for Kermit. You should be golden.

[pianoman9701]

There is a local park with bullfrogs in it that I would like to try my hand at when this the stay home order lifts but there is a sign posted int he park saying to leave wildlife alone? Does that apply to invasive species? I'm not even sure if a city ordinance explicitly outlines what it means but I thought I'd start with a general inquiry to see if they are even included in the general "wildlife" category according to the state since they are invasive and aren't even suppsoed to be alive if in your possession (which includes a water feature in your yard if they show up there, even if its not enforced)...which I would interpret to mean that if they are in a city park, they are in the city's possession and are ok to be harvested. Thoughts?

Pretty sure when you show up with your trident spear and start gigging them that the police won't be far behind no matter whether it is "legal" or not..

I was going to probably target with a fly rod in that area

Isn't frog gigging covered under fishing regs and licensing? If so, do they allow fishing in this park? If so, you should be able to gig frogs. 

[pianoman9701]

Still would not do that in a public park, especially if you gig them. Some Mom with her kids will report you for sure. Common sense says no. We try not to display our harvested game animals for the same reason. Some poor kid could end up with years of therapy if he saw a frog being gigged.   

I have to respectfully disagree. No one's displaying anything. You're killing animals for food and likely not strapping them to the top of your vehicle on the way home. It's no different from fishing. If your kids are traumatized by something as benign as fishing or gigging, that's your fault, not the fisherman's.

[KLRKeith]

Yes they eat native frogs.  They were introduced by a bunch of displaced Cajuns...Ok maybe not...but they do eat other smaller frogs.

[AL WORRELLS KID]

Norm's Resort

Is it true that Norm had so many signs posted around the Country that the Court's ordered him to collect them all up or be Fined? 
Doug