Other Hunting > Coyote, Small Game, Varmints
Predators & lights
Machias:
I hunt at night a BUNCH, never had any issues the past 13 years. I also coon hunt with dogs at night, never even met a warden at night. It is perfectly legal to use lights at night for bobcat, racoons and yotes, there is no interpretation, other then it's legal, DURING ESTABLISHED RACCOON AND BOBCAT SEASONS, as long as there are no modern firearms deer or elk season's open. How's that Krusty :)
Red lenses, the nice thing about red lenses is how much they make the eyes look like HUGE bouncing red fireballs as they are running in! :):)
Krusty:
I totally disagree with the statement that it is legal anytime outside of modern firearm (deer or elk) season.
To start, raccoons and bobcats have an established season, to hunt them outside of that season, day or night, is unlawful.
I have already quoted it, but here it is again "Bobcat, raccoon, and coyote may be hunted at night during established bobcat and raccoon seasons..."
Every time I have written the WDFW regarding this (or anything else), I get an e-mail back which directly quotes the wording in the reg booklet, certain key phrases pertaining to my question were highlighted in red text.
When I asked for a clarification on year round night hunting of coyotes, the words "coyote may be hunted at night during established bobcat and raccoon seasons" were the ones highlighted.
Fred,
I haven't had the same luck as you, I have run into trouble, not only from WDFW agents but local law enforcement too.
The WDFW currently has some of my belongings, even though after a Captain's Review I was found not to have violated any laws.
I actually was following the procedure four other WDFW agents had told me to, when the fifth agent decided he saw the law differently than his co-workers.
Calling one guy and asking him is a huge gamble.
On the other side of the coin, just because you don't get in trouble if you are hunting out of season (or night hunting out of season), doesn't make it lawful.
Law enforcement (WDFW) is handled VERY differently Region by Region.
Your side of the hill is a lot lower key.
You can run around all brave, like the WDFW isn't a big scary monster, but I am scared. ;)
Krusty
Ray:
Interesting Topic. I don't discredit or make any objection to your experiences Krusty. In fact I respect them as something to be aware of. However I must indicate that under the WAC 232-28 this portion is directly under the heading which states "HOUND HUNTING DURING THE DEER AND ELK HUNTING SEASONS".
Verbatim from http://apps.leg.wa.gov/WAC/default.aspx?cite=232-28&full=true
--- Quote ---HOUND HUNTING DURING DEER AND ELK HUNTING SEASONS
It is unlawful to hunt any wildlife at night or wild animals with dogs (hounds) during the months of September, October, or November in any area open to a modern firearm deer or elk season. The use of hounds to hunt black bear, cougar (EXCEPT by public safety cougar removal permit (WAC 232-12-243) or a commission authorized hound permit (WAC 232-28-285)), and bobcat is prohibited year round.
--- End quote ---
This would seemingly imply that it is related to hound hunting. Not necessarily to all night hunting. Is there more information that I am missing?
Machias:
Krusty I didn't say anything about hunting at night year round for yotes. I agree with you, you must hunt during the open season, re-read my post. I hunt ALLOT at night for yotes, coon and Roberts, never had any issues.
"You can run around all brave, like the WDFW isn't a big scary monster, but I am scared."
My friend if you knew what has happened to me in the past with the WDFW, LOL, you would not have made that comment. I have seen the WDFW in action first hand. However, if the law states in black and white that what I'm doing is legal and they confiscate my property they will be sued. Nothing all brave about asserting my right against unlawful detention and prosecution or the unlawful search and seaizure of my property. Ignorance of the law works both ways, it's not an excuse for either side.
"On the other side of the coin, just because you don't get in trouble if you are hunting out of season (or night hunting out of season), doesn't make it lawful."
I'm not sure where you were getting me advocating unlawful hunting?
Machias:
The section is dealing with two issues normally conducted during the same time frame, i.e. Night Hunting and Hound Hunting:
Night Hunting and Hound Hunting
During Deer and Elk Hunting Seasons
Bobcat, raccoon, and coyote may be hunted at night during established bobcat and raccoon seasons, EXCEPT that: It is
unlawful to hunt any wildlife at night or wild animals with dogs (hounds) during the months of September, October, or
November in any area open to a centerfire rifle deer or elk season.
The use of hounds to hunt black bear, cougar or bobcat is prohibited year round except during commission authorized
hunts. There is no longer a hound license.
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