Public comment periods open for Washington hunting season, wildlife feeding prop

[MADMAX]

Public comment periods open for Washington hunting season, wildlife feeding proposals
OLYMPIA – The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is now accepting public comments on proposed hunting season rule changes as part of the Department’s annual hunting season setting process. The Department is also accepting public comment on proposed rules meant to limit the spread of chronic wasting disease (CWD), including a proposal to implement a statewide deer, elk, and moose feeding ban in Washington.
WDFW is proposing updated rules and regulations for 2025 black bear, cougar, deer, elk, and waterfowl general hunting seasons and 2025 deer, elk, moose, bighorn sheep, and mountain goat special permit opportunities. The Department is also proposing new deer and elk multi-season tags for members of federally recognized tribes that have entered into an agreement with WDFW, and clarifying the rule language around certain special closures, firearm restriction areas, and deer areas.
The proposed statewide ban on feeding deer, elk, and moose is designed to limit the spread of CWD by not congregating wildlife at feeding sites, which can spread diseases. The proposal also includes a ban on baiting deer, elk, and moose while hunting.
A state environmental policy act (SEPA) determination is also being issued for the statewide ban on feeding deer, elk, and moose.
Full descriptions of each proposed rule change are available on WDFW’s rule making webpage. Public comment periods for each rule change open on Wednesday, Feb. 5. and end in March, but the exact comment period end date varies by proposal. Visit the WDFW rule making webpage for more information.
The public may submit comments on the proposed rule changes and the wildlife feeding SEPA determination online, via email, by phone, or by mailing WDFW. WDFW will also hold public hearings about each rule making proposal. Visit the following webpages for details on public comment period timelines, ways to submit comments, and how to register to testify at a public hearing:
2025 hunting season setting
Cougar hunting rules, pelt sealing requirements
Fall black bear hunting rules
Proposed feeding ban to limit the spread of CWD
Rules to limit the spread of CWD
All members of the public are invited to share their perspectives and participate in WDFW public feedback opportunities regardless of race, color, sex, age, national origin, language proficiency, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, status as a veteran, or basis of disability.
The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission delegated the decisions on these rule making proposals to WDFW Director Kelly Susewind, except for those related to black bear and cougar hunting. Director Susewind will issue his decision on the delegated rule proposals in late March. The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission is scheduled to decide on black bear and cougar hunting rules at the April Commission meeting.
Hunting season setting is an in-depth rule making process that allows WDFW to propose and collect public feedback on changes to Washington hunting rules. In between more robust three-year rule making cycles, annual season setting allows the Department to propose season changes or changes due to emerging needs. The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission or WDFW director set hunting seasons based on staff recommendations and public input. Visit WDFW’s website for more information about hunting season setting and regulations.
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife works to preserve, protect, and perpetuate fish, wildlife, and ecosystems while providing sustainable fish and wildlife recreational and commercial opportunities.

[hughjorgan]

https://wdfw.wa.gov/newsroom/news-release/public-comment-periods-open-washington-hunting-season-wildlife-feeding-proposals

Here’s the link so you can comment on the rule making.

[teal101]

They'll just keep chipping away at it till hunting itself is banned.

[MADMAX]

The format to make comments suck IMO
But is needed to be done by all concerned sportsmen and women
Let em have it
It goes in the public record
Dont hold back
This commission is not our friends
Definitely pro predator

[DeerThug]

So why to natives need to have access to multi-season tags.  Will that come our of our quota.  They can go do what they want when they want.  Why is this even an issue?

[CarbonHunter]

So why to natives need to have access to multi-season tags.  Will that come our of our quota.  They can go do what they want when they want.  Why is this even an issue?

DEI

[Ridgerunner]

Did you see 7 less goat tags?

3 less sheep tags?

Unlawful to kill a sow with cubs now or a cub under 1?

Statewide ban on baiting, including salt?

Not alot of positive changes in here for the sportsman of this state imo.

[Humptulips]

So why to natives need to have access to multi-season tags.  Will that come our of our quota.  They can go do what they want when they want.  Why is this even an issue?

WAC 220-412-090 Multi-season deer and elk tags.
 
This proposal is associated with agreements made between the Department and federally recognized tribes to provide
recreational opportunity to their respective tribal members. Participating tribes purchase and issue a predetermined number
of multi-season deer and elk tags for their respective tribal members. Recipients of these multi-season tags must be licensed
by the Department.

On the one hand it seems like the Department carrying through with their commitment to work with the tribes. On the other hand, it seems like a way to allow these license holders a way to hunt outside their usual and accustomed areas. They should be limited by State rules while hunting though so probably will be just a free multi-season tag for any member.

[actionshooter]

Made a comment on the baiting and will be making more on the other proposals....

[duckmen1]

Why will the state not open cougar august 1st for season opener to align with bear season. With their drastic quotas in place it makes no sense as to why they don’t. And of course calling for bears in august as a hunter it really sucks letting a cougar walk away that you call in.

[dreamingbig]

Did you see 7 less goat tags?

3 less sheep tags?

Unlawful to kill a sow with cubs now or a cub under 1?

Statewide ban on baiting, including salt?

Not alot of positive changes in here for the sportsman of this state imo.

And still no Yakima bull tags.

Ban on baiting - they were just waiting for CWD to use it as an excuse to cut back on a lot of things.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[bobcat]

Would this also mean the WDFW couldn't feed elk in the winter?

[elkslayer069]

The only way to 100% determine if a sow has cubs is the ability to hunt over bait. Sows with cubs get shot every year people just don’t include that in their photos and stories they tell their buddies.

[HillHound]

The only way to 100% determine if a sow has cubs is the ability to hunt over bait. Sows with cubs get shot every year people just don’t include that in their photos and stories they tell their buddies.

 

[fishngamereaper]

Boy they are sure going to run with the "because of CWD" claim...

Somewhere in some meeting in some dark room I'm willing to bet DFW was chomping at the bit to find cwd in WA...opens all kinds of doors for restrictions. And we all know WA loves a good set of new restrictions...