If it is not listed in the regs, does it mean you can't hunt it?

[Evoac05]

I was looking in the regs under small game and I couldn't find squirrels/sage rats/prairie dogs and other similar varmints listed anywhere. Are they open for hunting? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

[Goldeneye]

Squirrels are pretty restricted I know.  They are in the regs.  Look closer...

Pulled this as a starting point for you.

Legal Status


Because legal status, trapping restrictions, and other information about squirrels change, contact your WDFW Regional Office for updates.

The Western gray squirrel is classified as a threatened species and cannot be hunted, trapped, or killed (WAC 232-12-007). The red squirrel, Douglas squirrel, and Northern flying squirrel are protected species and can be trapped or killed only in emergency situations when they are damaging crops or domestic animals (RCW 77.36.030). A special permit is required in such situations.

The Eastern gray squirrel and Eastern fox squirrel are unclassified and may be trapped or killed year-round as long as you have a hunting license. In such cases, no special trapping permit is necessary for the use of live traps. However, a special trapping permit is required for the use of all traps other than live traps (RCW 77.15.192, 77.15.194; WAC 232-12-142).

It is unlawful to release a squirrel anywhere within the state, other than on the property where it was legally trapped, without a permit to do so (RCW 77.15.250; WAC 232-12-271).

[Kain]

Lots of unclassified wildlife that are not in the regs that you can hunt. 

Skunks, porcupine, opossum, moles, mountain beavers and others

then there are invasive species like:  house sparrows, starlings, Eastern grey squirrels, fox squirrels, nutria, bullfrogs, rock doves that can all be hunted.

I have not been able to find a list of all the unclassified wildlife in this state.

[bullchaser]

Their is a list of unclasified animals that can be shot i will try to find. EI yellow bellied marmont, starlings.

[bush_beater]

I've heard they grey squirrels are not indigenous and they are pushing the native browns out-so i !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Chukar]

While FW does not do a great job of describing who can be scoped and not,  it does not take much energy to find out what is shootable in a legal sense.
Plenty of "squirrels" are off the list. Golden Mantles, Chipmunks, Douglas Tree for example.  And some are considered threatened species. Washington Ground and the Western Grey 
No such thing as a sage rat. Or a buzzard. Or rodent described as a "Dog".
WAC 232-12-011 is a good start.
Cool site this is but sometimes... Lotta ins, lotta outs, lotta what-have-yous...and a lotta strands in the old Duders head.

[flinger]

best i can find
Pg 132 of the 2009-2015 WDFW game management plan

[KenPCPilot]

It looks like it is legal to hunt shrews but how in the hell are you going to find a taxidermist that will mount it for you. 

[Evoac05]

Thanks everyone for all your input. I do remember reading that the western grey was off limits, just couldn't find that section in the regs when I went to look again. Thanks again, I just wanted to make sure I could shoot certain legal small game.

[Kain]

Thanks everyone for all your input. I do remember reading that the western grey was off limits, just couldn't find that section in the regs when I went to look again. Thanks again, I just wanted to make sure I could shoot certain legal small game.

The only tree squirrels you can hunt in WA are Eastern greys and Fox Squirrels.  All the others are protected.

Here is the info you need to have before you try hunting any squirrels in this state.
http://wdfw.wa.gov/conservation/gray_squirrel/

Washington For Wildlife polled member of this site and a majority wanted a hunting season opened on the non threatened species. (Douglas and Red squirrels)  WFW sent a letter requesting changes to the small game season and included a season on squirrels.

Read attach letter below

[geodoc]

Gophers!  I hate gophers!

[crowinghen]

MOLE hunting...hmmmm

[Practical Approach]

After reading this thread it appears that Nutria can be hunted legally.  Is there someone that can point me to where I can find that in writing?  I didn't find anything very helpfull on the WDFW website. 

Are there seasons?  I suspect since it is an invasive species that if there are not any shooting restrictions where you live then you could shoot them anytime??


Thanks for the help.

[bobcat]

http://wdfw.wa.gov/living/nutria.html

[Practical Approach]

Thanks, but I already read that.  It talks about trapping.  Even mentions shooting them works on small populations, but I didn't see any reference to hunting seasons or lack therof.

Need something in writing to prove to a friend that it is ok for him to shoot them when he sees them.