Using a State Park Trail to Access Public Land

[Buckhunter24]

I'm wondering if its the Olympic national park not a state park that grizz is talking about. From what I see in special t post it looks like through a state park it should be fine. Interesting ive found a couple county parks that can be hunted with no restrictions.

[Griiz]

I'm wondering if its the Olympic national park not a state park that grizz is talking about. From what I see in special t post it looks like through a state park it should be fine. Interesting ive found a couple county parks that can be hunted with no restrictions.

Yes, Olympic National Park on coast.

[Griiz]

I know that parks out on the coast, you can drive through the park, but if you hunt on the National Forest Service Land and are successful, you can't bring the animal back through the park. That rule essentially closed a bunch of prime habitat to hunting. They patrol it somewhat aggressively in some areas. I talked to a guy who had 4 trail cameras up around his truck when he got back at night trying to catch him breaking the rules. He said he stripped naked and changed into dry clothes just to mess with them.

That makes zero sense. If you're allowed to use park trails to access land that's open for hunting, there's no reason you can't use those same trails to remove legally-acquired game. You presumably didn't hunt in the park. And it's absolutely true that some state officials, and even private individuals, overstep their authority and make chit up. If people get their panties all bunched up over legal activity, that's on them. This has little or nothing to do with ethics unless you're dragging an animal through with its entrails trailing behind. I would absolutely check with the WDFW for clarification on this.

Yes I agree, it is crazy but true. The old head ranger would let hunters take animals through park, but when he retired, that turn a blind eye disappeared. The last elk he shot in there took him five days to pack out, as he couldn’t take it out through park. He’d park at top and drop down 1.5 hours before dark and get back to truck 1.5 hours after dark. 3,000 feet elevation drop in steep nasty country.

[Special T]

I'm wondering if its the Olympic national park not a state park that grizz is talking about. From what I see in special t post it looks like through a state park it should be fine. Interesting ive found a couple county parks that can be hunted with no restrictions.

My statement was for State parks not NP.

[bigtex]

I'm wondering if its the Olympic national park not a state park that grizz is talking about. From what I see in special t post it looks like through a state park it should be fine. Interesting ive found a couple county parks that can be hunted with no restrictions.

Yes, Olympic National Park on coast.

Griz is correct. You can only transport wildlife through the park in a vehicle, and only on identified roads. Parking in the park, walking out of the park, shooting an animal outside the park then bringing it back into the park to load into your vehicle is illegal.

I know that parks out on the coast, you can drive through the park, but if you hunt on the National Forest Service Land and are successful, you can't bring the animal back through the park. That rule essentially closed a bunch of prime habitat to hunting. They patrol it somewhat aggressively in some areas. I talked to a guy who had 4 trail cameras up around his truck when he got back at night trying to catch him breaking the rules. He said he stripped naked and changed into dry clothes just to mess with them.

That makes zero sense. If you're allowed to use park trails to access land that's open for hunting, there's no reason you can't use those same trails to remove legally-acquired game. You presumably didn't hunt in the park. And it's absolutely true that some state officials, and even private individuals, overstep their authority and make chit up. If people get their panties all bunched up over legal activity, that's on them. This has little or nothing to do with ethics unless you're dragging an animal through with its entrails trailing behind. I would absolutely check with the WDFW for clarification on this.

WDFW (or any other state/local agency) has no jurisdiction within Olympic National Park or Mt. Rainier National Park as they are exclusive federal jurisdiction.

[chukarchaser]

perhaps you could enlighten us with the RCW making it illegal?

[hughjorgan]

perhaps you could enlighten us with the RCW making it illegal?

It’s a USC, state law has nothing to do with it. National parks are federal.

[chukarchaser]

I was refering to the state park law quoted by Bigtex.

[pendoreilleadventures]

FAQ page
https://www.parks.wa.gov/faq.aspx?qid=144


2.Is hunting allowed at state parks?
Hunting on State Parks land is prohibited.  While hunters are traversing state parks in order to gain access to properties that do allow hunting, if they have dogs with them, hunters are reminded they must keep their dogs on an 8-foot leash and under control at all times.

The part in red is not correct. I have called and spoke to fish and game in Olympia the RCW states you cannot hunt in a "State Park". That is not the same as lands owned by State Parks department. If it is not a designated state park but owned by that department and they allow public access, then it is same as other state lands unless the parks department post no hunting.

As for Federal laws cannot say one way or the other.

[bigtex]

I was refering to the state park law quoted by Bigtex.

I didn't say anything about a state park. I was only referring to Olympic National Park...