Night Time Hunting

[Machias]

From Mrs. Preuss/WDFW

Hi, Fred.  What you saw was a preproposal inquiry--a way to determine whether the public has any preliminary comments on the subject.  We have not yet formulated any changes to our nighttime hunting rule, and we may not change anything at all.  If we do, you will see it on the Internet at our Website on June 23rd, and you will be able to testify at the Fish and Wildlife Commission meeting in August if you want to.  Again, we haven't done anything at this point, and we may decide to scrap any changes.  I'll keep you updated.
Lori

[rasbo]

hate to be negitive ,But,Im sure its coming down the pipe..Shall we chant?Please let there be a change in wa state politics

[bobcat]

How is the public supposed to comment on NOTHING    Tell us what the changes might be, then maybe we can comment.

It's like the special permit fiasco. They got comments, from their scoping survey, that told them people would like to have better odds of drawing a permit. They then began working on a plan to supposedly make odds better, but didn't bother telling the public about it until it was already done. Sure they had a meeting and allowed a few weeks for people to send in written comments, but that was just to make it look like they cared what the people thought...

[Machias]

The thing that gets me is, it's a "preproposal inquiry"  So they have some smuck sitting around thinking about ways to Puck with hunters???  Probably the same &@#^ that decided hunting coyotes with dogs was socially unacceptable.   

[Curly]

I'm going to send a letter to WDFW and the commission.  I don't even hunt at night, but it pisses me off what they did with coyote hunting with dogs, the new special permit system, and other issues.......so I'm going to send them a letter letting them know how don't appreciate them taking away opportunity for folks trying to enjoy the outdoors.

I think it is good that it is in the preproposal inquiry stage........maybe that will give us time to flood them with letter and phone calls letting them know we don't appreciate it.

[Machias]

All these years of only hunting yotes at night, only during the bobcat and raccoon seasons!!  

From the Enforcement section:

As per page 56 of the big game pamphlet, coyote may be hunted at night EXCEPT that it is unlawful to hunt any wildlife at night during the months of September, October, or November in any area open to a centerfire rifle deer or elk season.  
 
Thank you,
 
Sean Carrell
WDFW, Enforcement Program
360-902-2936
FAX: 360-902-2155

[Guano]

Thanks for doing the leg work Machias!!!  Good to know info, straight from the source.

[WiseOldYote]

You can still hunt at night in those areas which have no current firearm big game season open. They are only concerned with spotting the big game during their open seasons.

I too share lots of frustration with all you other guys who night hunt. Our game dept. needs an overhaul! It is just too bad all of us law abiding night hunters have to almost hire an attourney to interpret the damn regs, or any other part of that phamphlet!!!

[Kain]

All these years of only hunting yotes at night, only during the bobcat and raccoon seasons!!  

From the Enforcement section:

As per page 56 of the big game pamphlet, coyote may be hunted at night EXCEPT that it is unlawful to hunt any wildlife at night during the months of September, October, or November in any area open to a centerfire rifle deer or elk season.  
 
Thank you,
 
Sean Carrell
WDFW, Enforcement Program
360-902-2936
FAX: 360-902-2155

Was that an email?  Could you forward that to my email so I can print it out and carry it with me?  Thanks for getting a confirmation.
naithankain@gmail.com

[Machias]

It was, it's at work and I will e-mail it to you first thing Monday morning.

[Skycruiser]

I just received this email from Lori Preuss headed "Ideas for nighttime hunting changes"

Hello, Gentlemen.  I spoke with the Deputy Chief of Enforcement, and he would still like to make a few changes to the nighttime hunting rule (WAC 232-28-342).  To that end, he asked that I run a few ideas past you guys to see what you think, and to find out if you have any suggestions of your own.  Here are some possibilities we’ve come up with:

1.       Limit nighttime hunting to shotguns rather than rifles, to reduce the ammo’s range.  Maybe also limit it to shotguns using shot rather than slugs.

2.      Issue permits for predator control, so that those of you who provide predator-control services can be exempt from the changes or have new liberties (such as the use of hounds to hunt coyote).

3.      Issue permits for depredation hunters or landowners to take deer and elk that are causing damage to commercial crops.  These hunters would be allowed to use night-vision scopes or spotlights.

I appreciate any feedback you want to provide.
 
Lori Preuss, WSBA #33045
WDFW Criminal Justice Liaison & Administrative Regulations Coordinator
Lori.preuss@dfw.wa.gov
360.902.2930
Fax 360.902.2155


My thoughts:

Proliferating regulations carry with them a cost of enforcement, diverting funds from areas where they provide more value. Any permitting process carries a huge overhead cost and is often a needless hindrance.

Personally, my opinion is that no changes are needed to the night hunting regulations, other than to clarify the wording regarding big game seasons. Shotguns appear to be the weapon of choice for most night time coyote hunters, but I see no reason to codify the limitation. Raccoon hunters routinely use .22's and shotguns would result in unnecessary meat and pelt damage. The same holds true for bobcat hunters.

The use of hounds for hunting coyotes should not require a permit but should simply be approved in the regulations.

Spot lights and night vision equipment should simply be legal whenever and wherever hunting is legal at night (including landowners legally addressing crop predation).

[Special T]

More paper work= job security it proves how much they do!

[bobcat]

I agree. Any additional rules they come up with in this subject is simply a waste of time and money. I suppose if anything, they could limit night time hunting for predators to shotguns with shot, 22 rimfires, and 22 centerfire cartridges.

[billythekidrock]

I just received this email from Lori Preuss headed "Ideas for nighttime hunting changes"

Hello, Gentlemen.  I spoke with the Deputy Chief of Enforcement, and he would still like to make a few changes to the nighttime hunting rule (WAC 232-28-342).  To that end, he asked that I run a few ideas past you guys to see what you think, and to find out if you have any suggestions of your own.  Here are some possibilities we’ve come up with:

1.       Limit nighttime hunting to shotguns rather than rifles, to reduce the ammo’s range.  Maybe also limit it to shotguns using shot rather than slugs.

2.      Issue permits for predator control, so that those of you who provide predator-control services can be exempt from the changes or have new liberties (such as the use of hounds to hunt coyote).

3.      Issue permits for depredation hunters or landowners to take deer and elk that are causing damage to commercial crops.  These hunters would be allowed to use night-vision scopes or spotlights.

I appreciate any feedback you want to provide.
 
Lori Preuss, WSBA #33045
WDFW Criminal Justice Liaison & Administrative Regulations Coordinator
Lori.preuss@dfw.wa.gov
360.902.2930
Fax 360.902.2155

Absolutely not! No changes are needed.

Like I stated at the WWPHA meeting on Saturday:
Any changes, or those that are limiting by date or region are the beginnings of a slippery slope.
Issuing permits for predator control will be the beginning of a new series of licenses.

[Kain]

I am with you guys....NO CHANGES NEEDED.  What is wrong with these people?