2nd Deer Tag - Anderson Island

[stevedouglas]

I drew a 2nd deer tag (for muzzleloader) to hunt on Anderson, Island.  Any good leads on where to look for a hunting spot.  I plan on heading up there this weekend to try and locate somewhere to go.  From what I can gather it is mostly or all private land....just walk and knock to find permission?

[bow4elk]

That's going to be a tough hunt if you don't already have a place to hunt.  Good luck!

[Skinnyman]

Thats going to be a tough one!!! It is mostly (probably 99%+) private property. Also most of the people over there look at the deer as their personal pets, so gaining permission (door knocking) is going to be very difficult. When you go scouting you will notice A LOT of "No Hunting" signs. There are a couple larger parks (wooded) but they have posted rules, one of which is no discharging of a firearm. If you were hunting during Archery or modern season and used a bow or crossbow (obviously only during modern) you could hunt the parks.

The only way to really hunt over there is to know someone that has property who is willing to give you permission.

Give door knocking a try, but be graceful and respectful if they say no. Maybe even ask if they know anyone who might grant permission. Maybe look up on the pierce county tax appraisors office and find the areas with decent sized parcels of land and knock on their doors.

[stevedouglas]

Thanks for the input...I'll let you know what come of it.

[SHADE]

Try checking in with the local law office. They sometimes can guide you towards people that would be more willing to let you hunt. Saves a bunch of folks getting upset with you.

[lokidog]

Watch for orchards or big gardens, these people often have issues with the deer and there is already a natural attractant.

Good luck.

[Skinnyman]

How did the scouting go?? Did you find anywhere to go??

[stevedouglas]

I headed up this last Saturday and had no luck finding a spot to hunt....I talked to a couple of folks but most told me what I've been hearing from all of you.  Checking with local law enforcment seems like a good idea, I'll give that a shot.

On the up side, I did see quite a few deer while up there and I had a nice time with family driving around, eaching lunch at the Riviara (lakeside restaruant) and taking my 4 year old daughter to the local fair.

[Fl0und3rz]

I just went through the exercise of trying to determine whether I could shotgun hunt a particular piece of property that I had permission to hunt on Anderson Island during the late modern season.  Keep in mind that this is for someone who does not (yet) archery hunt.  And yes it appears per the Pierce County Code (PCC) that a muzzleloader is a firearm. (9.32.010 Definitions. C. "Firearm" means any weapon or device from which a projectile may be fired by an explosive such as gunpowder.)

Here is the relevant Pierce County Code on discharging firearms that was retrieved as of 11/9/10.  As far as I can tell, law enforcement on the island is conducted by the Pierce County Sheriff, and there appears to be no other additional Anderson Island Ordinances to speak of (but satisfy yourself independently of this).

It appears that per the PCC and related firearms discharge restriction areas, we would not be able to shoot a shotgun in the area we wished to hunt.

However, it appears that per the WDFW, in areas having firearms restrictions, the areas can be hunted with a crossbow during modern firearm season.  

Some points of interest in the PCC are the 9.32.070 Discharge of Firearms Prohibited or Restricted areas and the 9.32.080 Discharge Near Buildings provision.

Re: 9.32.070 Discharge of Firearms Prohibited or Restricted  - To ensure that the particular properties are not within one of these areas, you should check with Pierce County Sheriff (If you have a police non-emergency and are calling locally or from out-of-state, call (253) 798-4721. You can also call in-state toll-free (800) 562-9800.  East Precinct (253.798.3278) covers Anderson Island) or http://www.lesa.net/.  Per the code "[c]opies of ordinances and maps designating such prohibited and restricted areas shall be on file in the County Sheriff's Department, published in Chapter 9.32 of the Pierce County Code, and filed with the Pierce County Law Enforcement Support Agency (LESA)."

So I looked into the firearms discharge restriction areas (red areas in image below from http://matterhorn.co.pierce.wa.us/iba/index.cfm?cmd=INIT&iba=council) and it appears that we would not be able to shoot in these red areas which seem to encompass the particular properties that we were interested in.

Re: 9.32.080 Discharge Near Buildings - Keep in mind that if there are nearby buildings and/or schools, you would need to ensure that you comply with this.

Pierce County Code (PCC)____________________________________

9.32.070 Discharge of Firearms Prohibited or Restricted. Pursuant to RCW 9.41.300(2), the Pierce County Council may designate certain areas of Pierce County where the discharge of firearms shall be prohibited or restricted. Citizens may petition the County Council for the formation, dissolution or amendment of an area where the discharge of firearms shall be prohibited or restricted or the Council may initiate the creation, dissolution or amendment of such an area by passing a resolution declaring its intent to do so. Under no circumstances shall the County Council designate a prohibited or restricted area until the Firearms Advisory Commission, created pursuant to Chapter 2.79 of the Pierce County Code, has had an opportunity to review the proposal and make its recommendation to the Council. No single proposal for an area where the discharge of firearms shall be prohibited or restricted may exceed 160 acres. (Ord. 2004-72s § 1 (part), 2004; Ord. 90-45 § 1 (part), 1990; Ord. 84-172 (part), 1984; prior Code § 35.28.010)

9.32.076 Notice of Firearms Prohibited or Restricted Area
A. Upon adoption of an ordinance establishing an area where the discharge of firearms is prohibited or restricted, the Clerk of the Council shall publish notice of adoption in the newspaper of general circulation within the county and the newspaper of general circulation within the proposed boundaries of the prohibited or restricted area.
B. Copies of ordinances and maps designating such prohibited and restricted areas shall be on file in the County Sheriff's Department, published in Chapter 9.32 of the Pierce County Code, and filed with the Pierce County Law Enforcement Support Agency (LESA).
C. Signs publicizing the existence of the area shall be posted along the perimeter by the Public Works Department. The signs shall be placed no more than ¼ mile apart and shall state the ordinance number and whether it is a prohibited or restricted area. Such signs shall only be required in zoning areas which contain the following: agriculture, forestry, and any zoning with a rural designation. (Ord. 2004-72s § 1 (part), 2004)

9.32.080 Discharge Near Buildings. In all areas of Pierce County where the discharge of firearms is not prohibited or restricted pursuant to 9.32.070, it shall be unlawful to discharge a firearm within 500 feet toward any building occupied by people or domestic animals or used for storage of flammable or combustible materials. It shall be unlawful to discharge a firearm within 1,000 feet toward any K-12 school within the County. (Ord. 2004-72s § 1 (part), 2004; Ord. 90-45 § 1 (part), 1990; prior Code § 35.28.020)

9.32.085 Exemptions to Sections 9.32.070 and 9.32.080. The provisions of Sections 9.32.070 and 9.32.080 shall not apply to the following:
A. Ranges of regularly constituted shooting clubs;
B. Firearms which are legally discharged as defined in Chapter 9A.16 RCW;
C. Firearms discharged for farm slaughter activities. (Ord. 90-45 § 1 (part), 1990)

9.32.090 Violations of Sections 9.32.070 and 9.32.080. Any person who violates any of the provisions of Sections 9.32.070 or 9.32.080 shall be guilty of a misdemeanor. (Prior Code § 35.28.030)

WDFW Regulations______________________________________
From P.17
Hunting Method: Modern firearm deer tag hunters may use rifle, handgun, shotgun, archery, or muzzleloader during modern firearm seasons. Crossbows are lawful within firearm restriction areas. Hunting equipment must meet equipment regulations on pages 70-71.

Firearm Restrictions: The GMU you hunt in may be affected by a firearm restriction. See page 75 for a full list of Commission-designated firearm restrictions by county. Other firearm restriction areas are established by local ordinance. Consult your local sheriff or city for other firearm restriction areas.

From P. 70
Modern Firearm Regulations: Crossbows: Crossbows may be used to hunt wildlife in firearm restriction areas. See page 75.

From P. 71
Archery Regulations: 3. Rules pertaining to crossbows:
a. It is unlawful to hunt big game animals with a crossbow with a draw weight less than 125 pounds, a limb width less than 24 inches, a draw length less than 14 inches, and a trigger safety that does not work properly.
b. It is unlawful to hunt big game animals with any arrow or bolt measuring less than 16 inches in length and weighing less than 350 grains.
c. It is unlawful to hunt game animals or game birds with a crossbow that weighs more than 15 pounds.
d. It is unlawful to hunt big game animals with any arrow or bolt that does not have a sharp broadhead and the broadhead blade or blades are less than seven-eighths inch wide.
e. It is unlawful to hunt big game animals with a broadhead blade unless the broadhead is unbarbed and completely closed at the back end of the blade or blades by a smooth, unbroken surface starting at maximum blade width and forming a smooth line toward the feather end of the shaft, and such line does not angle toward the point.
f. It is unlawful to hunt big game animals with a retractable broadhead.

From P. 75
Pierce GMU 652 (Anderson and Ketron islands) limited to archery, shotgun, and muzzleloader.

[Dmanmastertracker]

 Seems like the WDFW should be doing more in area's like this to promote landowner access programs, since they are making a good deal of money off of these tags.

[Michelle_Nelson]

or maybe WDFW should focus on more important things and let the hunters do some of the work getting permision.  WDFW can't hold everybody's hand.