RABBIT HUNTING RULES

[cummingsa]

Want to make sure that I understand these rules correctly.

'09 Big Game regs pg. 64.

9. Using dogs:
Hunting wild animals with dogs during
ANY deer or elk modern firearm season is
prohibited.

The way I read that, Elk is open Aug. 1-Jan. 20 (371, Elk Areas 3911 and 3912) with the special permit (2142 Wildwood A) Jan. 16-30.

Rabbit season is Sep 1- Mar 15.

So as of Jan 31 I can use dogs to hunt rabbit. 

Out of 4 1/2 months of open rabbit season, I can really only legally use a dog for 44 days?

I have not been hunting with a dog in Washington before so I am trying to make sure that I understand the rules correctly.

I also assume that means that if I am bird hunting with my dog and a modern firearm season for deer or elk is open than I could get fined if i shoot a rabbit that happened to present itself,  correct?

Somebody please correct me if I am wrong, I am kind of in shock right now.  This seems absurd IMHO.  Please let me know if I am correct or not in this.

Andy

[littlebuf]

im not real sure but some one on here will be able to tell you. all i can tell you is remember dogs are evil in Washington and your a horrible person for wanting to hunt with them. now thats out of the way you should be able to get your answer 

[BigGoonTuna]

I also assume that means that if I am bird hunting with my dog and a modern firearm season for deer or elk is open than I could get fined if i shoot a rabbit that happened to present itself,  correct?

by the way that reads, it looks like you can't even hunt birds with a dog during elk/deer season?

[nwhoundhunter]

I would have to assume it's like normal, but if this is the truth, well i just might not be able to read.  Usually if a GMU is open to rifle then no you can't hunt, but if the GMU is closed to rifle, you can hunt it.  This is looking like a call to the department is in order.

[bobcat]

I have always assumed that the no dog rule only applied during the general modern firearm deer/elk seasons.

[cummingsa]

Boy, I sure was hoping someone was going to jump right in and tell me i was wrong, and then explain why...  Any other thoughts anyone?

[Curly]

The way I read that, Elk is open Aug. 1-Jan. 20 (371, Elk Areas 3911 and 3912) with the special permit (2142 Wildwood A) Jan. 16-30.

I'd say don't hunt for rabbits with your dog in the above areas during elk season.

I also assume that means that if I am bird hunting with my dog and a modern firearm season for deer or elk is open, then I could get fined if i shoot a rabbit that happened to present itself,  correct?

 

I think you are reading that correctly.

[BigGoonTuna]

does the WDFW definition of "wild animals" exclude birds?  by the way that's written there, it looks like you can't take the dog along bird hunting during an open deer/elk modern season either?

[Curly]

I noticed that too.......I wouldn't consider a bird a "wild animal"............. you wouldn't be able to pheasant hunt on opening day of pheasant season if that was the case.

[CastleRocker]

As for our wet-side pheasants....(the ones at the release sites), I wouldn't consider them wild as they are bred, born, and raised in a pen.

It used to say "any big game animal", but it looks like it changed, (again).  Need someone who knows the answer to post it! 

[Curly]

You should call WDFW's Mik Mikitik, (360) 902-8408. 

The way it is worded with "wild animals", technically you shouldn't be allowed to hunt birds with dogs during modern deer or elk season..........I doubt WDFW would enforce that law, but you never know.

Personally, I would not even ask the question of WDFW.  It is probably not something that the wardens are even aware of......... but that's just me.

[nwhoundhunter]

So this is what I am told here.  If the GMU is open to modern firearm, you can not have a dog in the woods hunting anything.  If a GMU is closed to modern firearm, you can have a dog in the woods hunting.  Apparently all bird hunting is excluded.   I only asked this regarding hounds and beagles and hunting coon and rabbits.

[Kain]

Sounds like they are figuring out ways of eliminating hunting with dogs.  Rabbits, coons, maybe even grouse.  Next year the rule will probably say "during ANY deer and elk season."

[teal101]

I basically read it as no hunting of big game animals with dogs during the season.  It would be absurd to limit the bird hunters to no dogs during modern rifle season.  That would decimate many grouse and chukar hunters areas...

[Houndhunter]

I basically read it as no hunting of big game animals with dogs during the season.  It would be absurd to limit the bird hunters to no dogs during modern rifle season.  That would decimate many grouse and chukar hunters areas...

its absurd that i cant run coon during modfire genral season , its just general season special hunts do not apply