Hunting DNR Natural Area Preserves

[blackdog]

Recently heard that DNR staff trying to restrict hunting access to the North Bay Natural Area Preserve. Don’t believe them, hunting on DNR Natural Area Preserves is lawful. Practice conservation etc.

[92xj]

Any links or references in the NAP management plan about no hunting or shooting?

[blackdog]

Not aware of any WAC or RCW that prohibits hunting on DNR lands during open season.

[Lalo]

A quick Google search had some interesting results.
1. Google Maps claims the area is "Permanently Closed." I have no idea why it says that.


2. The DNR website has something called North Bay Natural Area Preserve MANAGEMENT PLAN, which was produced in June 2025.
https://dnr.wa.gov/sites/default/files/2025-09/amp_na_north_bay_plan.pdf
On page 39-40, the DNR plan says the following:
Hunting and Trapping – Hunting and trapping are not approved uses for Washington’s
NAPs. DNR does not allow hunting or trapping on NAPs unless it is necessary for
management purposes. As mentioned above, the guiding principle for managing the NAP is
to permit natural ecological and physical processes to predominate. The ecological
relationships between predator and prey, or grazers and vegetation are dynamic and naturally fluctuate to a degree. While humans are a part of this dynamic in natural systems,
the level of interest in hunting within this small NAP is high. The pressure applied by
opening this small NAP to hunting would exceed limits of acceptable change and put at risk
those features the site was designated to protect. Additionally, hunting can negatively impact
ecological research by violating assumptions about the influence of natural process on study
results, introduce variation to the analyses, and potentially damage or eliminate monitored
populations or plots from the sample.
Exceptions may occur when a primary feature would be jeopardized without active
intervention. Should the need to use hunting as a management tool arise, the DNR natural
areas manager will consult with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife to define
the parameters under which animal control methods would be allowed.

[avidnwoutdoorsman]

We have NAPs by my house and they are posted with a contact number and everything. I have reached out to them and gone down this same rabbit whole. DNR can absolutely restrict certain use access and that can include hunting on a NAP.

[509]

We have NAPs by my house and they are posted with a contact number and everything. I have reached out to them and gone down this same rabbit whole. DNR can absolutely restrict certain use access and that can include hunting on a NAP.

I have a home within a DNR Natural Area Preserve.  DNR is my neighbor on two sides of the property line.

They can NOT only restrict hunting, BUT public access.  My Natural Area Preserve not only restricts hunting, but also public access.  If you want to access the Natural Area Preserve you need a permit from DNR and explain why you need or want access.

I did check the WAC for NAP's and it is pretty clear that NAP's are closed to hunting. 

I did give my neighbors a bumper sticker that said 'When X-Country Skiing is outlawed, only outlaws will X-country ski".

He ended up moving so he could ski out his back door.