Changes to small game season.

[Caseyd]

Regarding the pellet guns for some small game species.

I believe we should make a stance based on caliber of the pellet. (.22 or larger for example)

If we try to phrase it based of performance, it doesn't seem simple enough to get passed. Requiring a field agent to inspect for velocity etc could make it get overlooked based on complexity of enforcement.

[Kain]

Allow the use of Cross Bows for small game species, coyotes would be first on the list.

Crossbows are legal in firearms restricted units.  I personally think they should be legal in all units and during modern firearms seasons. 

Regarding the pellet guns for some small game species.

I believe we should make a stance based on caliber of the pellet. (.22 or larger for example)

If we try to phrase it based of performance, it doesn't seem simple enough to get passed. Requiring a field agent to inspect for velocity etc could make it get overlooked based on complexity of enforcement.

I will look up how other states handle pellet rifle regulations.  I agree that the WDFW will not consider something that is to cumbersome to enforce but I dont see much difference in a FPS requirement on air rifles and a minimum poundage limit, grain per inch on arrows for archery.

[bobcat]

A .25 auto handgun, with a 4 inch barrel is legal for elk, deer, and bear. Why not an air rifle for grouse, rabbits, etc.? 

[Curly]

A .25 auto handgun, with a 4 inch barrel is legal for elk, deer, and bear. Why not an air rifle for grouse, rabbits, etc.? 

    One could argue that some air rifles could do a better job than that .25 auto.........

[Curly]

Question for you...........say they allow air rifles to be used for grouse.  Can you shoot grouse out the window of your truck with the pellet gun then?  Since it is not a firearm, it probably wouldn't be subject to the laws pertaining to having loaded firearm in the vehicle.

[Kain]

Question for you...........say they allow air rifles to be used for grouse.  Can you shoot grouse out the window of your truck with the pellet gun then?  Since it is not a firearm, it probably wouldn't be subject to the laws pertaining to having loaded firearm in the vehicle.

Nope already illegal to hunt from motor vehicles.  One could have asked the same about archery hunting.

http://wdfw.wa.gov/publications/01184/wdfw01184.pdf  Page 70

4. Hunting wildlife from a motor
vehicle is prohibited, exceptions: see
Persons with Disabilities on page 83.

[bobcat]

I guess you could sight your air rifle in over the hood of your truck though!   

[Kain]

I guess you could sight your air rifle in over the hood of your truck though!   

   Mean, just mean.   

[Kain]

This was the only mention of air rifles I could find on the WDFW site. 

Lethal Control
If all efforts to dissuade problem pigeons fail and they continue to be a human safety concern, they may have to be trapped. Trapping is rarely a permanent solution since other pigeons are likely to move in if attractive roosting and nesting sites are still available.

Small-scale traps are available from the Purple Martin Conservation Association and other enterprises over the Internet. Check the trap at least twice a day for non-targeted birds.

Do not trap pigeons and release them elsewhere, because they will easily return or cause problems somewhere else. If you cannot humanely kill them yourself, find a falconer or wildlife rehabilitation center that will accept live pigeons to feed to hawks.

Shooting has been effective in eliminating small isolated groups of pigeons. For safety considerations, shooting is generally limited to rural situations and is considered too hazardous in more populated areas, even if legal. Where shooting is legal and safe, .22 CB caps work well, so does any semi high-powered pellet rifle with a pellet velocity of 800 fps or more.

[satchel3006]

I still think squirrel season should be on the list. Other states have squirrel season (I know Oregon does and I think Idaho does as well) why can't we? I know in England the have a 12 FPE cap on air rifles (after that it requires a license) I think most of the newer .177 air rifle meet that and in England they shoot rabbits, pigeons, etc

[bobcat]

The squirrels we have in this state are barely big enough to eat. What do we have- the Douglas squirrel and chipmunks? Then there's the Western Grey Squirrel, but they are endangered. And the non-native Eastern Grey Squirrels can already be hunted year around. I think other states that have squirrel seasons have bigger species that have a little meat on them.

[Kain]

I still think squirrel season should be on the list. Other states have squirrel season (I know Oregon does and I think Idaho does as well) why can't we? I know in England the have a 12 FPE cap on air rifles (after that it requires a license) I think most of the newer .177 air rifle meet that and in England they shoot rabbits, pigeons, etc

I did add it to the list.  We are doing a poll to let everyone decide what they want on the list.  You can vote here. 

http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,82518.0.html

Like I said earlier I am torn on hunting the squirrels we have here.  There is really no shortage of them so that is not an issue.  They are an important prey species for lots of predators.  Not a lot of meat but I have seen guys put in more work for frog legs with even less meat.  There are lots of unclassified game that can be hunted like mountain beavers, ground hogs and ground squirrels why should tree squirrels be any different? 

[bobcat]

I just think it's a bad idea to try pushing for a squirrel season. It will never happen, not with the Seattle influence. If they did open a squirrel season, it wouldn't be long and there'd be an initiative to outlaw it.

[Kain]

You could be right but we cant just live in fear all the time.  That is what has led to loosing so much of our hunting opportunity as it is.  The same fear could be had for crows, foxes, raccoons and bobcats.   Costs continues to go up and opportunity goes down because we never fight for anything.  The worst that can happen is they say no.   

I just keep going back to the legislative mandate of the WDFW and Wildlife Commission.  Simplified it says that the commission should authorize the taking of wildlife in ways that do not impair the resource and attempt to maximize recreational hunting opportunities. Nowhere in the mandate does it say they should limit hunting based on it being "socially unacceptable" (the wording used to take away hounds for coyotes).  We need to keep reminding them of that.

[Curly]

Squirrels are too cute.  A season on them will never happen.

It's not like we've ever been able to hunt douglas squirrels in this state, and we are fighting to get the right back..........it just is not a tradition that most of us from WA have ever done, so I don't see the need to fight for it myself.