Is coyote hunting at night in washington LEGAL ?

[Snowman]

WTF.... Thought they went to 3yrs. reg. session not whenever the F__K they feel like it. This such B.S.

[Skycruiser]

Here's the text of the e-mail I sent.

Lori,

I'm very concerned that the department has predetermined its course of action because of the following sentence in the Statement of Inquiry. "The department will limit nighttime hunting to very specific times and places, to better ensure the public’s safety."

There is no reason that night hunting needs any further restrictions in regards to times and places. In fact, this is a solution without a problem and hunters like myself resent it. We continue to see our hunting fees increase and hunting become more restrictive.

The only restriction that might be justifiable, if indeed the justification is public safety, would be to make night time hunting shotgun only. I'm not in favor of this, I only mention it as an alternative to restricting times and places.

Please leave the night time hunting regulations alone.

Thanks,

[bobcat]

I'm assuming the letters you send to "Lori" will get to the commissioner's, but you may want to also address your letters to:  commission@dfw.wa.gov

[Machias]

E-mail sent to them as well.

[Snowman]

Yeah Lori is just the middle person who fowards comments on to who it regards. WTF why are we paying for this lady to determine if they even get sent off... She probably just sends the ones she wants to an trash's the rest. Bleep this, the wild life dept. needs to be hauled over..... An on the subject of night hunting right now for yotes it is open, unless a big game season in effect.

[Machias]

Back to the subject, we all can't go out and HOPE we don't run into the wrong WDFW Officer.  I have been told it is only open at night, during bobcat and coon season, due to that specific line saying you can only hunt them at night during the open coon and robert season.  I'm not trying to start any crap, heck I hope I am wrong, would be thrilled to be wrong, but the statements above about call your local guy and see what "he" thinks is just messed up.  I'll send something to the Enforcement folks and see if I can get the head cheese to give an offical ruling.  Then if it is legal I'll forward the get out of jail pass to anyone who wants a copy.  I sure hope you guys are right on one hand and it ticks me off on the other, since I have always shut down my night hunting once 15 Mar rolls around.

[tlbradford]

As it was stated before, a coyote is not a game species and is not regulated like fur bearers (ie raccoons and bobcats).

I agree Machias.  I haven't heard of one night hunting incident, but the recent major ones were daytime accidental shootings.

[Snowman]

I made the call to my local warden and the wild life dept. an the response was that it is open year around to hunt yotes at night.

[Bob33]

due to that specific line saying you can only hunt them at night during the open coon and robert season.

It does not say that.  It says you can hunt them at night during bobcat and racoon season.  It does not say you cannot hunt them at night at other times, with the exception of any open deer or elk season, or during the months of Sep-Nov.

"Bobcat, raccoon, and coyote may be hunted at night during established bobcat and raccoon seasons"

I'm not saying I'm right and you're wrong.  I'm just saying the regulations are vague.

[Snowman]

They are vague. But made a few calls today an I was informed that it is open year around at night for yotes, by the guys in oly. and my local wardens. So hunt on...

[bobcat]

They are vague. But made a few calls today an I was informed that it is open year around at night for yotes, by the guys in oly. and my local wardens. So hunt on...

And that's just as it should be. Sounds like fun. I think I just might go try some night hunting, before they outlaw it. Maybe this weekend. Too bad bobcats aren't still open.

[Snowman]

Would love to get a bobby. Good Luck an have fun!!!   

[Bob33]

Here is the WAC on official hunting hours: http://apps.leg.wa.gov/WAC/default.aspx?cite=232-12-289

Here is the WAC listing game animals: http://apps.leg.wa.gov/WAC/default.aspx?cite=232-12-007

Bobcat and racoon are game animals; coyote is not.

[Machias]

Thanks everyone, you guys will come and testify on my behalf, right?   

[bobcat]

Yes, I will. While I'm over there maybe we can do some night hunting.