Alert - Proposed changes to night hunting rules

[alp2009]

In the packet of proposed changes to WAC codes regarding hunting there are changes proposed that would limit firearms used to hunt at night to 22 caliber or smaller and for shotguns #6 shot or smaller.  Also, no lights from motor vehicles.

http://wdfw.wa.gov/about/regulations/2012/wsr_12-04-098.pdf

If you don't want to read the whole thing, search for WAC 232-12-063 Hunting at night

We need to call and send emails/letters or you can pretty much leave the shotgun at home and plan on having a rifle just for night hunting coyotes.

Alex

[Bob33]

It has been discussed at length here:

 http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php?topic=92074.msg1175633;topicseen#new

[bobcat]

We need to call and send emails/letters or you can pretty much leave the shotgun at home and plan on having a rifle just for night hunting coyotes.

Alex

I agree. No sense in hunting with a shotgun if you can only use bird shot. I'd want #2 as a minimum for coyotes, and my preference would be BB's or #4 buck. I'll be working on a letter to the WDFW this week.

[Snopczynski]

Post the letter here so we can copy it and send one to them as well.

[calib]

im in      even a petition or something  ill sign.    soon we wont be able to night hunt at all

[bobcat]

I just saw this, hadn't seen it before, but I'm still not clear why the limitations on calibers and shot size.   

WAC 232-12-063 Hunting at night – regulations – penalties.
Purpose of the proposal and its anticipated effects, including any changes in existing rules: This
proposal would clarify how a hunter can hunt small game and unclassified wildlife at night and would
complement existing night hunting rules.
Reasons supporting proposal: The proposal would provide greater certainty for officers in determining
whether a hunter is lawfully hunting at night.

[Sitka_Blacktail]

The bullet caliber and shot size are obviously attempts to prevent guns capable of killing deer sized or larger game from being legal at night.  But anything that will kill a coyote will kill deer sized or larger game. And poachers aren't worried about wounding animals that get away and suffer.

Allowing spotlights and shooting at night opens the door for poachers, no mater what the bullet size.

[bobcat]

I wasn't sure if it was due to a poaching issue, or more of a safety issue. Maybe both? I especially don't get the #6 shot size limitation. They could at least allow up to #2 or BB.

[spookgus]

The bullet caliber and shot size are obviously attempts to prevent guns capable of killing deer sized or larger game from being legal at night.  But anything that will kill a coyote will kill deer sized or larger game. And poachers aren't worried about wounding animals that get away and suffer.

Allowing spotlights and shooting at night opens the door for poachers, no mater what the bullet size.

That's what I was thinking also. I don't think we need to change the shot/cal. rules for night hunting. Not everyone has the propper tool for every job. No lights from a vehicle, well even if all hunting with artificial light was banned, the poachers would still do it. It seems they are using the actions of a few as an excuse to impose more limits and controls on the masses. Pretty common slight of hand in today's USA.

[pianoman9701]

My email to the commission:

Dear Sirs/Madams,
 
With reference to:
WAC 232-12-063 Hunting at night--Regulations--Penalties

 
"...(c) Firearms are restricted to .22 caliber rifles and
handguns, and shotguns are restricted to no. 6 shot or smaller. Hunting with bow and arrow is allowed..."

This restriction basically says that law abiding citizens who are legally hunting game at night will be put at a disadvantage by being forced to use lower caliber firearms so it's easier for law enforcement to identify criminals. This is a bad proposal and should be scrapped. The reasoning for this has no basis in reality.
 
A poacher basically must be caught in the act of shooting an animal (or decoy) to be successfully prosecuted. Because it's not illegal to possess any caliber of loaded weapon at any time while in the woods, a law breaker must be caught doing the illegal deed. This makes it unnecessary to restrict the rest of us law-abiding citizens from being able to use a larger caliber firearm for legally hunting animals at night.
 
Please eliminate this restriction from the proposed game laws. Penalizing the legal hunters to make it easier to bust poachers makes no sense, especially when it really doesn't make it any easier to prosecute them.
 
Thanks for your attention to my request and comments.
 
Most Sincerely,
 
John W

[Machias]

The bullet caliber and shot size are obviously attempts to prevent guns capable of killing deer sized or larger game from being legal at night.  But anything that will kill a coyote will kill deer sized or larger game. And poachers aren't worried about wounding animals that get away and suffer.

Allowing spotlights and shooting at night opens the door for poachers, no mater what the bullet size.

I have personally seen PLENTY of deer killed with a .22 rimfire rifle.  When I was a kid I sat in the middle of my Uncle and my Dad and sometime even held the flashlight.  They drop like a sack of taters.  Not something I am proud of today.  Didn't know any better back then.  Later on it was actually safer and easier to shoot deer during the day, with a .22 rimfire rifle.  No spotlight needed and no one paid any atterntion to a single .22 going off in the Ozark mountains.  My point is restricting weapons to .22 does absolutely nothing to stem poaching.  Stopping hunting for yotes at night will do nothing to stop deer poaching during the night or during the day.  Us turning folks in is the only way to stop or curb poaching.  Us turning our backs on folks who poach will help stop or curb poaching.  Teaching our kids proper ethics will help stop or stem poaching.  Years later when I became Law Enforcement, I had several discussions with my Dad.  He regretted later in life, setting a bad example and for not valuing wildlife more.

[VarmintVentilator]

Well said. 

[CoryTDF]

Dear Sirs/Madams,
 
With reference to: 
WAC 232-12-063 Hunting at night--Regulations--Penalties

 
"...(c) Firearms are restricted to .22 caliber rifles and
handguns, and shotguns are restricted to no. 6 shot or smaller. Hunting with bow and arrow is allowed..."

This restriction basically says that law abiding citizens who are legally hunting game at night will be put at a disadvantage by being forced to use lower caliber firearms so it's easier for law enforcement to identify criminals. This is a bad proposal and should be scrapped. The reasoning for this has no basis in reality.
 
A poacher basically must be caught in the act of shooting an animal (or decoy) to be successfully prosecuted. Because it's not illegal to possess any caliber of loaded weapon at any time while in the woods, a law breaker must be caught doing the illegal deed. This makes it unnecessary to restrict the rest of us law-abiding citizens from being able to use a larger caliber firearm for legally hunting animals at night.
 
Please eliminate this restriction from the proposed game laws. Penalizing the legal hunters to make it easier to bust poachers makes no sense, especially when it really doesn't make it any easier to prosecute them.

Also, the restriction in regards to lights powered by motor vehicles will only further restrict the majority, whom are lawful hunters, leaving those who choose to break the already existing laws to continue to do so without regard to these new restrictions. What about disabled hunters? Can they spotlight from their vehicles? The existing laws are sufficient and these new proposals will more negativity effect law abiding hunters than it will ever do to stop poaching. 
 
Thanks for your attention to my request and comments.
 
Most Sincerely,

Cory McLaughlin


I just added a little to the end of an already fantastic response. The wife and I have sent out emails.

[pianoman9701]

  Nice Cory.

[Special T]

Good letter cory and i will use itmyself, the only thing i would change is adding who you sent it to.

Here are some of the email addresses to send them too:
wildthing@dfw.wa.gov
director@dfw.wa.gov
David.Ware@dfw.wa.gov
commission@dfw.wa.gov