Spot lighting from an improved road in a vehicle

[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.