Ocean Shores poaching

[Sitka_Blacktail]

Heard on the radio this morning a Seattle man was arrested for poaching a deer near the Ocean Shores Grade School.  Seems he shot it and somebody heard the shot and turned him in. They caught him loading it into his pick-up. Seized the deer, the gun and the truck. Gonna be some expensive venison he didn't get to eat.

While this herd needs thinning and will never be because it's in the city limits, this is a stupid act. Most people poach out there with bows because it quiet. Then there are deer running around with arrows sticking out of them. In both cases, these people are just giving the rest of us a bad name.  I guess all those tame deer standing around are just too tempting for some people.

[JimmyHoffa]

Was there any mention to how close to the school he was when discharging the firearm?  Some places I think that would get him in more trouble than the poaching.

[LeeMajors]

After fishing the Jetty on the Westport side this weekend, SLF and I were loading up the kayaks and a deer walked right past us.  Good size deer too.

[cem3434]

I dont think you can hunt anywhere in City limits (even if its in season) with any type of weapon.  Those deer are like dogs, but they do have a couple of monster blacktails. 

[Encore 280]

If during regular deer season, is there a firearm restriction? If there is but you can hunt with a bow then ya have to be careful about the private property thing.

[bigtex]

I dont think you can hunt anywhere in City limits (even if its in season) with any type of weapon.  Those deer are like dogs, but they do have a couple of monster blacktails.

Depends on the city. Each city creates their own ordinances, some completely outlaw hunting, others allow archery hunting only.

[Bob33]

I dont think you can hunt anywhere in City limits (even if its in season) with any type of weapon.  Those deer are like dogs, but they do have a couple of monster blacktails.

Depends on the city. Each city creates their own ordinances, some completely outlaw hunting, others allow archery hunting only.

According to WDFW, a city cannot restrict hunting.  They can restrict what legally can be discharged, but not hunting in total.

[cem3434]

I dont think you can hunt anywhere in City limits (even if its in season) with any type of weapon.  Those deer are like dogs, but they do have a couple of monster blacktails.

Depends on the city. Each city creates their own ordinances, some completely outlaw hunting, others allow archery hunting only.

Im speaking specifically about Oceans Shores. Im pretty sure there is no hunting allowed in City limits regardless of the hunting method.

[Bob33]

I am quoting from an email receiving from WDFW's legal representative:

RCW 9.41.300(2)(a) says,
(2) Cities, towns, counties, and other municipalities may enact laws and ordinances:
(a) Restricting the discharge of firearms in any portion of their respective jurisdictions where there is a reasonable likelihood that humans, domestic animals, or property will be jeopardized. Such laws and ordinances shall not abridge the right of the individual guaranteed by Article I, section 24 of the state Constitution to bear arms in defense of self or others.

No municipalities may prohibit hunting within city limits.  Only WDFW has the authority to regulate hunting. 

However, as stated above, a municipality can restrict the discharge of firearms within city limits (or a portion thereof) if they can show there is a reasonable likelihood that the discharge of firearms in these areas will jeopardize the safety of humans, domestic animals, or property.

Sammamish does not have the legal authority to prohibit hunting on the undeveloped DNR land.  But they can prohibit the discharge of firearms there if they can make the showing required in RCW 9.41.300(2)(a).
I hope this answers your questions.   Let me know if you have other questions.
 
Lori Preuss, WSBA #33045
WDFW Criminal Justice Liaison &
Administrative Regulations Coordinator

[bigtex]

WAC 232-28-248 Special closures and firearm restriction areas.

RESTRICTED AND PROHIBITED HUNTING AREAS.


These areas are closed by Fish and Wildlife Commission action. Other areas may be closed to hunting by local, state or federal regulations.

[BullMagnet76]

DON'T YA JUST LOVE STUPID PEOPLE

[TONTO]

 Citys can and do restrict hiunting, but it is not a WDFW violation, it is a city ordanance. A couple years back there was a man in Kelso that took a buck in the city limits with a disabled permit from the cab of his truck with a shotgun. WDFW stated he was in a legal area with a legal weapon(shotgun in a firearm restricted area) and with the disabled permit alowed to shoot from his vehicle. The WDFW let him keep the deer(legal kill) although the city of Kelso still cited him for shooting within the city limits.

[Bob33]

The WDFW let him keep the deer(legal kill) although the city of Kelso still cited him for shooting within the city limits.

Cities can restrict shooting.

[bigtex]

The WDFW let him keep the deer(legal kill) although the city of Kelso still cited him for shooting within the city limits.

Shooting and hunting are different things. In this case if it happened like you said the individual would have been cited for the same offense if he was shooting at pop cans

[TONTO]

The WDFW let him keep the deer(legal kill) although the city of Kelso still cited him for shooting within the city limits.

Shooting and hunting are different things. In this case if it happened like you said the individual would have been cited for the same offense if he was shooting at pop cans

 Yes, that happened in Kelso and they have a shooting ban, but not a hunting ban. In Longview however just across the river they have a hunting ban in the city limits. Now if somebody was to take an animal within the city limits during a legal season with a leagal weapon(also firearm restricted Stela unit) would they be in violation of WDFW law or city law? Would this result in a game violation or a city infraction?