Spot lighting from an improved road in a vehicle

[ribka]

FYI : Whoever is coming up into the Wenas area at night in a grey Nissan pick-up from the Yakima area and spot lighting from the road with firearms in your vehicle you will be written up when caught.

Been a lot of poaching in the area (deer, elk, birds, dogs) in the past months so everyone up there is  very aware of what is going on. 

[BIGINNER]

OOPS 

QUICK QUESTION,  WHAT WOULD BE CONSIDERED AN IMPROVED ROAD?  AND WOULD YOU BE FINE SPOTLIGHTING, BUT NOT SHOOTING FROM CAR? (AND NO LOADED GUNS) 

[bearpaw]

I would suggest you call a local warden where you want to spotlight and ask him what you can do and let him know you will be out. I think you can spotlight and shoot coyotes but probably not from a vehicle, good advice is to get the skinny from a warden in the area you want to spotlight.

[dirty24d]

I'm pretty sure any spotlight from the vehicle is gonna qualify as harrasment resulting in a ticket...  Where's BIG TEX AT

[ribka]

Already notified. Checked with Gamie and cannot spot light from a motorized vehicle. Normally would not care but a lot of animals in the area (dogs, deer, elk, lifestock in the past) are being shot and left at night near the road.

Sick of being woken up at 0200 hrs with a spotlight in bedroom window.

Neighbors are understandably upset

[KopperBuck]

I'm pretty sure any spotlight from the vehicle is gonna qualify as harrasment resulting in a ticket...  Where's BIG TEX AT

http://apps.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=77.15.450

(1) A person is guilty of spotlighting big game in the second degree if the person hunts big game with the aid of a spotlight, other artificial light, or night vision equipment while in possession or control of a firearm, bow and arrow, or cross bow.

[MtnMuley]

I would suggest you call a local warden where you want to spotlight and ask him what you can do and let him know you will be out. I think you can spotlight and shoot coyotes but probably not from a vehicle, good advice is to get the skinny from a warden in the area you want to spotlight.

[CAMPMEAT]

You can spotlight coyotes and bobcats at night, IF you have predator calls in your vehicle. This is straight from the Game Warden here in Ferry County.

[bobcat]

I'm pretty sure any spotlight from the vehicle is gonna qualify as harrasment resulting in a ticket...  Where's BIG TEX AT

http://apps.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=77.15.450

(1) A person is guilty of spotlighting big game in the second degree if the person hunts big game with the aid of a spotlight, other artificial light, or night vision equipment while in possession or control of a firearm, bow and arrow, or cross bow.

That says "if the person hunts big game." If you're not hunting big game, then you can spotlight from a vehicle all you want. (according to that law)

[KopperBuck]

  And I do it, but I make damn sure I'm not anywhere near a residence.

[ribka]

I'm pretty sure any spotlight from the vehicle is gonna qualify as harrasment resulting in a ticket...  Where's BIG TEX AT

http://apps.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=77.15.450

(1) A person is guilty of spotlighting big game in the second degree if the person hunts big game with the aid of a spotlight, other artificial light, or night vision equipment while in possession or control of a firearm, bow and arrow, or cross bow.

That says "if the person hunts big game." If you're not hunting big game, then you can spotlight from a vehicle all you want. (according to that law)

Spotlighting itself is not the issue. The issue is doing it from a motorized vehicle. That is my understanding and what a Game Offical told me

Also shooting from your vehicle or standing on and shooting from an improved road would be a issue too. No handicapped issues . Young healthy guys seen.
Throwing beer cans from the vehicle would seem to indicate there are drinking and driving issues too

[chester]

Ok ill throw my  in. This is what ive gotten from the game warden about spotlighting.

spotlight from a vehicle with a weapon= Illegal (hunting from the vehicle)
spotlight from a vehicle with no weapon= legal 
spotlight from a with anything attached to or touching vehicle for coyotes = illegal (hunting from the vehicle)
spotlighting yotes with a battery powered light = legal

so for the purposes of hunting you must be clear of the vehicle before turning light on. just going shining with a gun in the truck shows intent so remove weapons before you go out to look around at night from your truck.

[Skyvalhunter]

Just a question but how do you KNOW they have a firearm in their vehicle along with a spot light?

[ribka]

Just a question but how do you KNOW they have a firearm in their vehicle along with a spot light?

neighbor talked to them and observed in vehicle

[gasman]

Just a question but how do you KNOW they have a firearm in their vehicle along with a spot light?

This is a known poaching area.

Ribka has posted pic of animals killed and left for dead a few times this winter.

[Skyvalhunter]

I was just curious. You would think that the fish and game would want to step up but I am sure they are operating on limited personell. I would hope that this grey nissan pickup owner is not a member on here.

[dirty24d]

I'd still be weary of getting a harrasment ticket ( with no weapon in the vehicle )

[bobcat]

What's the difference between spotlighting from an improved road and spotlighting from an unimproved road? Does the law differentiate between the two?

[chester]

As far as i can tell they are one in the same. 

[ICEMAN]

Agree.

[CamoDup]

are u sure it is gray and not dark green...?? im ashamed to admit this but if it is green i might know them. and i hope he gets caught

[400out]

I say keep your eyes open and a phone in your hand could be ten points  who cares what road their on!

[demontang]

Man that sucks. Ill have to keep my eye out

[bearpaw]

I'm pretty sure any spotlight from the vehicle is gonna qualify as harrasment resulting in a ticket...  Where's BIG TEX AT

http://apps.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=77.15.450

(1) A person is guilty of spotlighting big game in the second degree if the person hunts big game with the aid of a spotlight, other artificial light, or night vision equipment while in possession or control of a firearm, bow and arrow, or cross bow.

That says "if the person hunts big game." If you're not hunting big game, then you can spotlight from a vehicle all you want. (according to that law)

bobcat is right, you are not hunting if you don't have a gun. I'm pretty sure the wardens appreciate a call to let them know you will be out so it saves them a huge hassle.

[wastickslinger]

The poaching part sucks big time and I hope they get caught.

On another note. If is perfectly legal to spotlight from an improved road with weapons. It is not legal to harass big game though. There is a difference. The warden will have to catch them shooting from the road or without a doubt harasing big game. But just spotlighting from the road with guns is not ground for a ticket.

I hope they catch then harassing or poaching though.

[KopperBuck]

If this guy is malicious, I hope he gets his...

Question though, well two. Why would you consider spotlighting to be harassment? And where is the RCW relating to harassment? Can't find the damn thing.

[LRP]

It is unlawful to shot from, across or along a public roadway.  That's a road built with public funds.  You can hunt coyotes and bobcats at night with a spotlight.  If the light is attached to a vehicle, you might be cited for hunting with the add of a motor vehicle.  If you are spotlighting from a public roadway, there are alot of things you could be cited for.  Driving under the sped limit, stopping on the roadway, harrassment if you shine a residence.  Spotlighting attracts attention of everyone, including the wardens.  Common sense is the best way to go.  Ethical hunting is what we need to teach.  Get away from the vehicle. 

[CAMPMEAT]

Here you go guys. I'll stir the fudge. If you're disabled with your disabled placard displayed, you can legally hunt off of any road spotlighting or not as long as you are as far off the road as possible with the motor turned off, you CAN have a loaded gun in your vehicle any time.

Let the battle begin.

[Bob33]

"To Hunt: Any effort to kill, capture, injure, or harass a wild animal or wild bird."

A gun is not required to hunt....

[KopperBuck]

It is unlawful to shot from, across or along a public roadway.  That's a road built with public funds.  You can hunt coyotes and bobcats at night with a spotlight.  If the light is attached to a vehicle, you might be cited for hunting with the add of a motor vehicle.  If you are spotlighting from a public roadway, there are alot of things you could be cited for.  Driving under the sped limit, stopping on the roadway, harrassment if you shine a residence.  Spotlighting attracts attention of everyone, including the wardens.  Common sense is the best way to go.  Ethical hunting is what we need to teach.  Get away from the vehicle. 

I 100% agree, but I've never used spotlighting as a method of harvest. My question is... the act of spotlighting itself, given you've met and satisfied every possible legal infraction, is that harassment? It's not about my purpose, just clarification. As we always complain, the tangle of RCWs, WACs, and our regulations have made it impossible for me to find a definite answer.

[ribka]

Here you go guys. I'll stir the fudge. If you're disabled with your disabled placard displayed, you can legally hunt off of any road spotlighting or not as long as you are as far off the road as possible with the motor turned off, you CAN have a loaded gun in your vehicle any time.

Let the battle begin.

Only if you don't have beer and ice cream in the vehicle


So far 2 Game Officers and two sheriff friends of mine have told me no spotlighting from a motorized vehicle. Trying to get a definitive answer.

[CAMPMEAT]

.................oh crap, I just spilled my beer into my ice cream 

[carpsniperg2]

The poaching part sucks big time and I hope they get caught.

On another note. If is perfectly legal to spotlight from an improved road with weapons. It is not legal to harass big game though. There is a difference. The warden will have to catch them shooting from the road or without a doubt harasing big game. But just spotlighting from the road with guns is not ground for a ticket.

I hope they catch then harassing or poaching though.

Here you go guys. I'll stir the fudge. If you're disabled with your disabled placard displayed, you can legally hunt off of any road spotlighting or not as long as you are as far off the road as possible with the motor turned off, you CAN have a loaded gun in your vehicle any time.

Let the battle begin.

Both of these 2 comments are correct. I have been checked out many times by both game wardens, and sheriff officers. Why spotlighting for yotes. I have not and will not ever get a ticket for what i am doing. Because the way I do it, its a 100% legal. If you do it the right way.

[LRP]

The simple act of spotlighting is not illegal.  The law prohibiting spotlighting applies to big game.  If you are spotlighting big game and have a firearm, or bow in the vehicle, you are wrong and are subject to being cited, and losing your firearms, at least for evidence.  As for oppinions from different officers, whether game officers or deputies from around the state, remember they all have different thoughts, oppinions, and ways in which they enforce different laws.  You will not get the same oppinion around the state.  Make sure your local officer gives you his views and what he would do.     Disabled hunters can shoot from the vehicle as long as they have the vehicle off the roadway, (for paved roads) if the the road is not paved it must be off the road as far as possible.  Also the engine must be turned off.  They cannot drive around with a loaded rifle or shotgun in the vehicle.  As with everything, there is alway an exception.

[L8NITE]

Answers to some of these questions can be found at http://apps.leg.wa.gov/rcw/ under Title 77 fish and game.

[MIKEXRAY]

There is a difference between " spot lighting " & harassing big game. I went into GMU 501 ten years ago the night before muzzy season & ran into " the decoy set up " . I only stopped my truck to look at the deer with my headlights as it was on a curve. Gamies came from all directions , & walked up to my drivers window. My muzzy was in the camper & I only was driving with socks on. 2 gamies talked to me & checked my paperwork, young gamie was all worked up & wanted to write a ticket for " Harassing " big game, older gamie talked him out of it. I am positive that if I was spot lighting I would of gotton a ticket for sure. I don't know the laws but they wanted to write some tickets that night ! 
As stated I don't know the laws that well & with that being said I would never spot light ever for any reason, better to err on the side of caution. Plus I don't really have a reason. Mike

[Bob33]

http://apps.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=77.15.450

[LRP]

I've thought long and hard about this, and I see there are some real concerns about regulations.  Bob33 has been posting links to the RCW's which gives the exact wording to our laws.  There are numerous Fish and Wildlife officers on this forum, but do not identify themselves for a lot of reasons.  But, since I see there is a real concern and a need for answers, I will tell you all I am a Fish and Wildlife Officer and have been so for over 30 years.  So, with that I will try and answer your questions.  But as I said, remember, regulations will be enforced at the descretion of the officer.  What one officer does is not necessarily what all will do.  I will not second guess another officers decission in other area's.  I believe in treating everyone equally and fairly.  What is unlawful for one is unlawful for all.  Even if I wouldn't write a citation, we will talk.