Hunter Harassment Law

[Snowman]

I think in one post or another someone wrote wondering if we had a law about hunter harassment. For those who don't know we do.    West's revised code of washington annotated title 77. game and fish. chapter 77.16. prohibited acts and penaties.  77.16.340. obstructing the taking of fish or wildlife--penalty--defense

(1) a perosn commits the crimeof obstructing the taking of fish or wildlife if the person:

    a. Harasses, drives, or disturbs fish or wildlife with the intent of disruping lawful pursuit or taking thereof; or
    b. Harasses, interferes with, or intimadates an individual engaged in the lawful taking of fish or wildlife or lawful predator control

(2) violation of this section is a gross misdemeanor under rcw 77.21.101.

(3) it is a defense to any prosecution under subsection (1) of this section, if the person charged:

    a. interfers with any person engaged in hunting outside legally established hunting season;
    b. is preventing or attemping to prevent the injury or killing of a protected wildlife species, as defined by this title;
    c. is preventing or attemping to prevent unauthorized trespass on private property; or
    d. is defending oneself or another person from bodily harm or property damage by a person attemping to prevent hunting in a legally established hunting season

 Enacted by laws 1988, ch.265, s1, eff. july 1, 1988

[HarborHunter3]

Good to hear we have something in this state.

[Snowman]

Found it digging around for some other stuff. I'm trying to figure out how many states have amemded there state constution on protecting hunting and fishing

[huntnphool]

I think in one post or another someone wrote wondering if we had a law about hunter harassment. For those who don't know we do.    West's revised code of washington annotated title 77. game and fish. chapter 77.16. prohibited acts and penaties.  77.16.340. obstructing the taking of fish or wildlife--penalty--defense

(1) a perosn commits the crimeof obstructing the taking of fish or wildlife if the person:

    a. Harasses, drives, or disturbs fish or wildlife with the intent of disruping lawful pursuit or taking thereof; or
    b. Harasses, interferes with, or intimadates an individual engaged in the lawful taking of fish or wildlife or lawful predator control

(2) violation of this section is a gross misdemeanor under rcw 77.21.101.

(3) it is a defense to any prosecution under subsection (1) of this section, if the person charged:

    a. interfers with any person engaged in hunting outside legally established hunting season;
    b. is preventing or attemping to prevent the injury or killing of a protected wildlife species, as defined by this title;
    c. is preventing or attemping to prevent unauthorized trespass on private property; or
    d. is defending oneself or another person from bodily harm or property damage by a person attemping to prevent hunting in a legally established hunting season

 Enacted by laws 1988, ch.265, s1, eff. july 1, 1988

The last couple of years in the area I hunt I have had a few granolas come riding their bikes up the forest roads ringing bells and honking horns. Man I wanted to just knock them right off their bikes.

[zackmioli]

whats stopping you? 

[HarborHunter3]

Some idiots in the capitol forest or somewhere near Olympia stretched a wire across a dirt bike trail and got a young kids head decapitated.

You just don't get that kind of behavior from the majority of hunters and fishermen.

I would have confronted those bikers. Don't know if I would have gave em the beat down but I would have chewed their buts. If they want to have an Irate 5'6" pissed off hunter running after them then they can start the ball. 

Besides those all vegie diets will give them the squirts while my high carb elk steak will give me that extra umph to make their skinny buts sheet! 

Maybe I just need to go shoot something. 4 months without guns will drive anyone crazy. lol

[billythekidrock]

How timely.
While hunting on the OP this weekend I was talking with a couple hunters who were told by the Rayonier office to be cautious on their property. They were told that "hunters" were locking gates and placing screens with spikes in the road. The supposed reason was they were "competitive" about their areas.
Sounds like harassment by the "hunters" that have been excluded from this hunt.

[ICEMAN]

So I cant hang a few extra blaze orange vests on trees all over the ridge we hunt anymore?? 

[Snowman]

How timely.
While hunting on the OP this weekend I was talking with a couple hunters who were told by the Rayonier office to be cautious on their property. They were told that "hunters" were locking gates and placing screens with spikes in the road. The supposed reason was they were "competitive" about their areas.
Sounds like harassment by the "hunters" that have been excluded from this hunt.

Sounds about right. That means they are no better than It's illegal for them to do that, but yeah I know how are you going to stop them. Well if there's a will and there's a way

[ThePascoKid]

Man am I glad I live on the Eastside, those people on the bikes are the same one's that got our bear baiting and hound hunting taken away.

[Snowman]

alot more here than over there. Hunt over on the eastside a bit and it's not to bad

[sisu]

Man am I glad I live on the Eastside, those people on the bikes are the same one's that got our bear baiting and hound hunting taken away.

Watch it I ride a bike to access some fishing areas and I'm a flesh eater! hahahahaha
BTW when running after the tree huggers you might mention that "long pig" is your favorite meat.

[Hunter4Life]

Great post Snowman.  I never knew that was an anti-harassment law in Washington!  Thank you for the info.

[mtndew]

I always keep the number written down for reporting illegal activity. You can be sure that I will be calling if any tree huggers interfere with my hunt!! (everyone should have the WDFW hotline number with them in the field, IMHO)

[Bean Counter]

whats stopping you? 

Probably the fact that he's like 99% of other hunters: ethical, valuing human life over animals, and less combative than those who are intolerant of him. 

Way to show your discipline..