2022-2023 Hunting Seasons Public Comment Period

[pickardjw]

Haven't seen this posted yet, looks like public comment is open for the 2022-2023 hunting season proposed changes. Just started looking through everything but glad to see the 1x or red dot proposal on muzzleloaders back on the docket.

News Release
https://wdfw.wa.gov/news/wdfw-seeks-public-comments-2022-2023-hunting-seasons

Current Rule-Making Docket
https://wdfw.wa.gov/about/regulations/development

[Ridgerunner]

Not a ton of changes to the permit levels with the exception of the buck permits which are being significantly reduced and rightfully so. 

[Skyvalhunter]

Doe tags need to be reduced or eliminated all together

[mcrawfordaf]

https://publicinput.com/D2720

Allowing blood tracking dogs for big game recovery.

[pickardjw]

Here's some of the stuff I've pulled out that I'll be commenting on:

Chronic Wasting Disease
- Changes the requirement to include any of these animals harvested outside Washington state where previously specific states were listed.

Weapons and Other Harvest Restrictions
- For turkey, clarification of the requirement to keep the feathered head on turkey specifically and adds the requirements to keep the beard until processed. Okay with this.
- For grouse, hare and rabbit adds the ability to harvest with air rifles between .22 and .25 caliber. I'm all for this.
- For turkey adds the legal use of specific handguns (10" barrel, 3 shell max, min 3" shotshell of .140 caliber or larger) and specific muzzleloading handguns. Very much against this, accidents in the turkey woods are already too common with shotguns.
- For muzzleloading firearms, adds legal use of 1x scopes or 1x red dots. All for this.

Recreational Fishing 2022 Season
- Creates a separate "Char" category to separate bull trout, dolly varden, eastern brook trout and lakers from the trout category
- Changes lake trout limit to No Daily Limit. Not sure how I feel about this one.


Items that are still in pre-proposal that don't have specifics yet include the Annual Cougar Season Setting and the ban on domestic goat and sheep on WDFW lands (there are other threads on this). Both are open for comment though if you want to submit a broad statement.

[Chesapeake]

Who wrote this stuff? What is a shotshell of .140 caliber or bigger?  Were they trying to say .410 caliber, indicating a 410 shotshell?

And why would a muzzleloading pistol hold any shells? I understand they were probably trying to not include black powder revolvers, but those aren’t typically muzzle loaded anyhow. They should just say something to the effect of “not more than 3 loads capable in the pistol”. Then a guy could plug some of the cylinder to limit load capacity like is done in modern shotguns.


iii) Legal modern handgun designed for hunting, shooting #4 or smaller shot, and not capable of holding more than three shells. Hand- gun barrel length must be a minimum of 10 inches, inclusive of choke tube. Modern handguns must shoot a minimum three inch shotshell of .140 caliber or larger;
(iv) Legal muzzleloading handgun designed for hunting, shooting #4 or smaller shot, and not capable of holding more than three shells. Handgun barrel length must be a minimum of 10 inches. Muzzleloading handguns must be .45 caliber or larger.


The archery stuff allowing rangefinding sights and the muzzy stuff with scopes will really expand the effective range of those weapons. Muzzles will be 200+ yard guns easily with a scope.

[ACCUBOND]

WDFW is cutting the quality elk for Carlton, West Goat Rocks, and Mt Adam’s. Only because of conflicting season. They claim deer but not many muzzleloader deer hunters in those areas. Issue is it’s during archery. Instead of moving dates, they are cutting the hunts. BS

[hunter399]

I would like know ,and correct me if I'm wrong.
But I can use rat and snake shot out of a pistol for turkey.
And they took 22 rimfire off the table last year.
Is this correct or am I dreaming or something.
If that is true ,that is the stupidest thing I've heard this year so far.

Sorry I'm wrong.
What handguns have a 10 in barrel and will take 3in .410 shells. I guess I could go to the hardware store and get some stuff and make one. Or just use a shotgun.
And since I can use smaller than #4 shot,let's say 00buck isn't that the same as a 22 Rimfire ,just not as accurate with a spread a mile wide.

Just stupid,I can't even believe how stupid sometimes.

[Russ McDonald]

I would like know ,and correct me if I'm wrong.
But I can use rat and snake shot out of a pistol for turkey.
And they took 22 rimfire off the table last year.
Is this correct or am I dreaming or something.
If that is true ,that is the stupidest thing I've heard this year so far.

Sorry I'm wrong.
What handguns have a 10 in barrel and will take 3in .410 shells. I guess I could go to the hardware store and get some stuff and make one. Or just use a shotgun.
And since I can use smaller than #4 shot,let's say 00buck isn't that the same as a 22 Rimfire ,just not as accurate with a spread a mile wide.

Just stupid,I can't even believe how stupid sometimes.

Smaller im shot size is the other way around.  The smaller the shot the bigger the number.  00buck is illegal.  I know confusing for sure.  Snake shot out of a handgun pretty sure is also a no go.   

Sent from my SM-G998U using Tapatalk

[hunter399]

I would like know ,and correct me if I'm wrong.
But I can use rat and snake shot out of a pistol for turkey.
And they took 22 rimfire off the table last year.
Is this correct or am I dreaming or something.
If that is true ,that is the stupidest thing I've heard this year so far.

Sorry I'm wrong.
What handguns have a 10 in barrel and will take 3in .410 shells. I guess I could go to the hardware store and get some stuff and make one. Or just use a shotgun.
And since I can use smaller than #4 shot,let's say 00buck isn't that the same as a 22 Rimfire ,just not as accurate with a spread a mile wide.

Just stupid,I can't even believe how stupid sometimes.

Smaller im shot size is the other way around.  The smaller the shot the bigger the number.  00buck is illegal.  I know confusing for sure.  Snake shot out of a handgun pretty sure is also a no go.   

Sent from my SM-G998U using Tapatalk

Yup confused for sure here
Sorry ..... 

[Ghost Hunter]

I would like know ,and correct me if I'm wrong.
But I can use rat and snake shot out of a pistol for turkey.
And they took 22 rimfire off the table last year.
Is this correct or am I dreaming or something.
If that is true ,that is the stupidest thing I've heard this year so far.

Sorry I'm wrong.
What handguns have a 10 in barrel and will take 3in .410 shells. I guess I could go to the hardware store and get some stuff and make one. Or just use a shotgun.
And since I can use smaller than #4 shot,let's say 00buck isn't that the same as a 22 Rimfire ,just not as accurate with a spread a mile wide.

Just stupid,I can't even believe how stupid sometimes.

https://thompsoncenterbarrel.com/2020/07/thompson-center-g2-contender-410-barrel/
https://thompsoncenterbarrel.com/2022/01/thompson-center-arms-contender-carbine-21-inch-410-barrel/

Your welcome.   

[dreamingbig]

The changes to archery and muzzleloader are a joke.  Are industry groups bringing these forward?  How many times do we have to support a no vote on this?

We need more primitive weapons not more advanced!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[hunter399]

I would like know ,and correct me if I'm wrong.
But I can use rat and snake shot out of a pistol for turkey.
And they took 22 rimfire off the table last year.
Is this correct or am I dreaming or something.
If that is true ,that is the stupidest thing I've heard this year so far.

Sorry I'm wrong.
What handguns have a 10 in barrel and will take 3in .410 shells. I guess I could go to the hardware store and get some stuff and make one. Or just use a shotgun.
And since I can use smaller than #4 shot,let's say 00buck isn't that the same as a 22 Rimfire ,just not as accurate with a spread a mile wide.

Just stupid,I can't even believe how stupid sometimes.

https://thompsoncenterbarrel.com/2020/07/thompson-center-g2-contender-410-barrel/
https://thompsoncenterbarrel.com/2022/01/thompson-center-arms-contender-carbine-21-inch-410-barrel/

Your welcome.   

So are we changing the rules for one factory made firearm and of course my hardware *censored*gun.