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http://wdfw.wa.gov/publications/00766/wdfw00766.pdf1. Hunting with artificial lights:Hunting BIG GAME with the aid of an artificiallight or spotlight is prohibited. Night Hunting and Hound HuntingDuring Deer and Elk Hunting SeasonsBobcat, raccoon, and coyote may be hunted at night during established bobcat and raccoon seasons, EXCEPT that it is unlawful to hunt any wildlife at nightor 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 ofhounds to hunt black bear, cougar, bobcat, or coyote is prohibited year round except during commission authorized hunts.
*These are lawful hunting hours (one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset) for game animals and forest grouse (ruffed, blue, spruce) duringestablished seasons. Exceptions: (a) Bobcat and raccoon are exempt from hunting hour restrictions during established bobcat and raccoon seasons exceptwhen that area is open to modern firearm hunting of deer or elk, hunting hours shall be one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset. (b) Huntinghours for falconry seasons (except migratory game bird seasons) are exempt from these hunting hours, except on designated pheasant release sites.
Notice that there is an exception to the hunting hours for bobcat and raccoon but it does not mention coyotes. Dunno This section now says you cannot hunt bobcats and raccoons at night WHEN that area is open to MODERN FIREARMS HUNTING OF DEER AD ELK. Notice is says "modern firearms" and not "centerfire rifle".
QuoteNotice that there is an exception to the hunting hours for bobcat and raccoon but it does not mention coyotes. Dunno This section now says you cannot hunt bobcats and raccoons at night WHEN that area is open to MODERN FIREARMS HUNTING OF DEER AD ELK. Notice is says "modern firearms" and not "centerfire rifle".There isn't a season for yotes so they state it by the coon and bobcat seasons.So if you are in a centerfire legal area during elk and deer season you can't light em at night.But if you are in a 'restricted weapon' area (shotgun muzzy and archery) you can light em all yearAnd if your centerfire legal area is closed for deer and elk you can hunt at night.
If your using a spotlight at night, have a PREDATOR CAll. That's what the local game warden says.
Quote from: CAMPMEAT on October 06, 2010, 09:26:26 AMIf your using a spotlight at night, have a PREDATOR CAll. That's what the local game warden says. I cant find that in the regs. I go by the black and white book that they are suppose to enforce by. What idiot what make a coment that you have to have a call to spotlight. Just dont do it during a big game season, plain and simple.
You don't need a predator call, could care less what this or that enforcement officer "thinks" is needed or not. Plenty of bobcats, coons, fox and yotes have met their demise by a lip squeak or a kiss to the back of your hand. Some of these guys crack me up, from LEO's who teach RCWs and don't have a clue what the laws says to guys making stuff up on their own.
Thank the WDFW for clearing that up and clarifying the rules for us...............Its almost my favorite thing.....Late muzzle loader, spot a bull coming out to feed before dark, walk in the next morning before light, see some a-hole running a spotlight for "coyotes and such", walk back to my truck and thank the WDFW for all the great things they do. Happened twice last year. No you can't spot coyotes any more dang it. Tell everyone its closed until Dec 16. I call B.S.
is it legal to spot light coyotes in Washington?
Yep definatly illegel I would not do it at all, just stick with hunting the daylight hours and I will take care of the night hunting! many of dogs and cats have died under the power of my spotlight, for 2 months out of the year we destroy em from 10 pm to 6am . We have been stopped plenty of times and never had a ticket, or anything, just the occasional (be carefull and have a good night).
Why do modern hunters get the special privelage of no spot lighting during their seasons? The right thing to do and the easy way to clear up any confusion is to not allow spot lighting during any general seasons. People out hunting coyotes and such have other methods they can use during daylight hours. I cannot hunt elk/deer at night. Spot lighters can cover a lot of ground and spook every big game animal for miles back into the brush before dawn. Don't get me wrong I hope everyone enjoys "Their type of legal hunting" but the rules shouldn't be so twisted that its got to screw up other seasons. I go out spot lighting critters on occasion, but never during a big game season. Just isn't right IMO. Besides there are plenty of poachers out there and its pretty easy to say a deer or elk that was shot at night was taken during the day. "I'm just out hunting coyotes"...............Yeah I bet all the lights we see during our M.L. elk season are just hunting critters......Not a chance. Just giving poachers less of a chance at getting caught.
Quote from: mjbskwim on October 06, 2010, 12:57:37 AMQuoteNotice that there is an exception to the hunting hours for bobcat and raccoon but it does not mention coyotes. Dunno This section now says you cannot hunt bobcats and raccoons at night WHEN that area is open to MODERN FIREARMS HUNTING OF DEER AD ELK. Notice is says "modern firearms" and not "centerfire rifle".There isn't a season for yotes so they state it by the coon and bobcat seasons.So if you are in a centerfire legal area during elk and deer season you can't light em at night.But if you are in a 'restricted weapon' area (shotgun muzzy and archery) you can light em all yearAnd if your centerfire legal area is closed for deer and elk you can hunt at night. shotgun=modern firearm, does not say anything about centerfire gun. it says modern. so during archery/muzzleloader season you can but during any area that is open during deer/elk season don't even try.
