Using a State Park Trail to Access Public Land

[adamR]

Does anyone know whether or not it's legal to use state park land or a state park trail to access public ground for hunting? Am I allowed to walk through the area or walk the trail with a rifle on my back?

[grousetracker]

yes as long as you don't shoot or hunt in the park, I have done it a hundred times.

[LDennis24]

If you're referring to the old railroad bed trails they have signs saying no hunting access. 

[Sandberm]

If you're referring to the old railroad bed trails they have signs saying no hunting access. 

Not saying you are wrong and perhaps there are different rules at different spots but I thought they say "No Hunting from Trail"? Or something that means the same as grousetracker suggests. 

I think thats what the signs say at access points along the Columbia Plateau trail that runs along the Snake and through your country.

[LDennis24]

Yeah they say "No hunting access"

[CP]

Sketchy sign.  On State Park land?  I’d ignore it.

[boneaddict]

I think it varies between spots.   

[pianoman9701]

I believe open carry is allowed in all WA state parks. If you're using trails to hunt outside of the park, you shouldn't be breaking any laws. You might check the specific location with WDFW. And, get their name.

[Special T]

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.

[LDennis24]

Sketchy sign.  On State Park land?  I’d ignore it.

Hey anti's look! It's another ethical hunter! Oh wait...

[Special T]

The FAQ on the Wa Parks website mentions it as being OK as long as your dog is on a leash... So what this tells me is that if your gun is unloaded and your not dumb you should be good to go.

I dont think it would be un ethical to walk across a park with an unloaded firearm, and TECHNICALLY State law allows a person to open carry while hikiking camping or fishing in the state. you do all that in a park.

[CP]

Sketchy sign.  On State Park land?  I’d ignore it.

Hey anti's look! It's another ethical hunter! Oh wait...

Yeah, nothing unethical about it.  Except the sign is unethical.  Signs are not laws, and there are a lot of BS signs out there. 

[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.

[LDennis24]

Sketchy sign.  On State Park land?  I’d ignore it.

Hey anti's look! It's another ethical hunter! Oh wait...

Yeah, nothing unethical about it.  Except the sign is unethical.  Signs are not laws, and there are a lot of BS signs out there.

You do whatever you want. Fact is, it's unethical and gives hunters a bad name.

[pianoman9701]

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.

[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...