Decisions Desicions

[DoubleJ]

As I read the regs, and please correct me if I'm wrong:

1.  I can hunt bear right now with a bow or a rifle.

2.  If I use a rifle, I must wear hunter orange.  If a bow, I can skip the hunter orange

If correct on those, I'm at a loss as to which to choose.

[Ray]

If you walk into areas which are open for the high buck hunt you will need orange. Otherwise you do not. The need for hunter orange is not dependent on the weapon you choose. It is dependent upon if the modern firearms season for deer or elk is open in the area you hunt. Both weapons are valid for hunting bears.

[Woodchuck]

i think you are just off a little

i believe you can hunt bear with any legal weapon right now

the only time you have to wear orange for bear is if you are hunting during a time when a general rifle season is open for other big game

[Ray]

Who's off a little? I don't believe I have delivered any false or misleading information. Perhaps you mean DoubleJ is off a little.

Under the following conditions a minimum of 400 square
inches of fluorescent hunter orange exterior clothing
is required. It must be worn above the waist and be
visible from all sides. A hat, by itself, does not meet this
requirement.
Anyone hunting deer or elk during any modern firearm deer or elk
general season is required to wear fluorescent hunter orange clothing.
All modern firearm permit holders must wear fluorescent hunter orange
clothing. This includes archers and muzzleloaders while hunting in
units (e.g. GMUs, Deer, Areas, Elk Areas, Wilderness Areas, etc...) that
overlap modern firearm seasons.
Anyone hunting in an area that is open for modern firearm deer or elk
hunting must meet hunter orange requirements if they are hunting any
of the following species: Bear, Bobcat, Cougar, Coyote, Deer, Elk, Fox,
Grouse, Hare, Rabbit, or Raccoon.
During any upland game bird season, anyone hunting upland game birds
or rabbits with a modern firearm is required to wear fluorescent hunter
orange clothing. (Grouse are not upland game birds.)
Hunter Orange Clothing is Not Required:
During an upland game bird season for anyone hunting upland game
birds with a muzzleloading firearm, bow and arrow, or for falconry.
While hunting in a muzzleloading or archery only GMU

[Kain]

You have to wear hunter orange during the Modern firearms season no matter what weapon you choose.

http://wdfw.wa.gov/publications/00766/wdfw00766.pdf  page 15

Under the following conditions a minimum of 400 square
inches of fluorescent hunter orange exterior clothing
is required. It must be worn above the waist and be
visible from all sides. A hat, by itself, does not meet this
requirement.

Anyone hunting deer or elk during any modern firearm deer or elk
general season is required to wear fluorescent hunter orange clothing.
All modern firearm permit holders must wear fluorescent hunter orange
clothing. This includes archers and muzzleloaders while hunting in
units (e.g. GMUs, Deer, Areas, Elk Areas, Wilderness Areas, etc...) that
overlap modern firearm seasons.

Anyone hunting in an area that is open for modern firearm deer or elk
hunting must meet hunter orange requirements if they are hunting any
of the following species: Bear, Bobcat, Cougar, Coyote, Deer, Elk, Fox,
Grouse, Hare, Rabbit, or Raccoon.

During any upland game bird season, anyone hunting upland game birds
or rabbits with a modern firearm is required to wear fluorescent hunter
orange clothing. (Grouse are not upland game birds.)

Hunter Orange Clothing is Not Required:
During an upland game bird season for anyone hunting upland game
birds with a muzzleloading firearm, bow and arrow, or for falconry.

While hunting in a muzzleloading or archery only GMU and possessing a
valid muzzleloading or archery deer or elk tag.

[DoubleJ]

I think he ment I was off a little

[Woodchuck]

Yes, DoubleJ is who i was referring to, sorry for the confusion

[Ray]

Ok but I might note that this is slightly incorrect. Sort of splitting hairs if you will.

the only time you have to wear orange for bear is if you are hunting during a time when a general rifle season is open for other big game

It's not - other big game . It's deer or elk. If an area is open to modern firearm sheep, moose or goat I believe they might be exempt in some conditions.

Anyone hunting in an area that is open for modern firearm deer or elk
hunting must meet hunter orange requirements if they are hunting any
of the following species: Bear, Bobcat, Cougar, Coyote, Deer, Elk, Fox,
Grouse, Hare, Rabbit, or Raccoon.

[DoubleJ]

So, Modern for deer in my GMU 672, is Oct- 16-31 and modern elk is Nov- 6-16.  Bear ends Nov. 15.  Those 2 blocks of time are the only time I need hunter orange?  Even if I bear hunt with a rifle?

[bobcat]

No modern firearm deer or elk seasons right now, so no need for orange. Well, except for the high buck hunt wilderness areas, as Ray said.

[Ray]

So, Modern for deer in my GMU 672, is Oct- 16-31 and modern elk is Nov- 6-16.  Bear ends Nov. 15.  Those 2 blocks of time are the only time I need hunter orange?  Even if I bear hunt with a rifle?

I think that is correct. Although I have not reviewed that unit and what is open personally.

[Woodchuck]

i apologize for the mis-statement, yes deer or elk as quoted from the regs, good luck

[BlackRidge]

Haha this thread was confusing, yet very helpful! I'd been wondering the same thing about which weapons could be used, and if they had to match the seasons that were open at the time. Good to know they dont!

Good luck DoubleJ

[Ray]

Yes, best of luck all. Sorry if I confused anyone. That was not my inent.

[DoubleJ]

I think it's straight now.  Thanks everyone.