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Big Game Hunting => Deer Hunting => Topic started by: finnman on January 04, 2017, 03:49:11 PM


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Title: Depredation land owner tags
Post by: finnman on January 04, 2017, 03:49:11 PM
Can these tags be used by anyone the landowner chooses? Or are they limited to the owner or a family member?

I just got offered one for a doe by a customer were going to be building a home for, he knows my wife and I hunt so he said I could come over and use it on his farm. Just making sure were good on this.

Thanks,
Title: Re: Depredation land owner tags
Post by: jrebel on January 04, 2017, 03:53:10 PM
I used one in the past and the only stipulation was I had to have a current deer tag.  So if you did not fill your deer tag last year, you should be good.  If it is the same program you should be good to go.  The landowner will have official paperwork you have to fill out when you arrive.  He will document your license, tag number, name, etc. and you get to go hunt. 

Hope you get to help the land owner and fill your freezer.   :tup:
Title: Re: Depredation land owner tags
Post by: Woodchuck on January 04, 2017, 04:01:16 PM
Some are what is called a "kill tag", no license or tag required. Just the paper the permit is written on.
Yes, the landowner can give them to whoever he wants.
Title: Re: Depredation land owner tags
Post by: jackelope on January 04, 2017, 04:02:35 PM
I used one in the past and the only stipulation was I had to have a current deer tag.  So if you did not fill your deer tag last year, you should be good.  If it is the same program you should be good to go.  The landowner will have official paperwork you have to fill out when you arrive.  He will document your license, tag number, name, etc. and you get to go hunt. 

Hope you get to help the land owner and fill your freezer.   :tup:

Same experience here. My tag included a piece of paper from the landowner indicating I was hunting with a depredation permit.

Title: Re: Depredation land owner tags
Post by: Bob33 on January 04, 2017, 04:06:22 PM
I believe this is the legal authority for these hunts: http://apps.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=232-36-310
Title: Re: Depredation land owner tags
Post by: finnman on January 04, 2017, 04:21:33 PM
Thanks all for the info, really appreciate it!  :tup:
I am calling the land owners daughter now to see what we need to do and when we can get er done!

Looks like more venison for the pot!

Title: Re: Depredation land owner tags
Post by: floatinghat on January 04, 2017, 05:02:43 PM
I used one in the past and the only stipulation was I had to have a current deer tag.  So if you did not fill your deer tag last year, you should be good.  If it is the same program you should be good to go.  The landowner will have official paperwork you have to fill out when you arrive.  He will document your license, tag number, name, etc. and you get to go hunt. 

Hope you get to help the land owner and fill your freezer.   :tup:

My experience as well but I would change the language. If you didn't fill you tag this season, in the past I was offered and elk tag and they told me you can not fill multiple tags.
Title: Re: Depredation land owner tags
Post by: erk444 on January 04, 2017, 05:05:35 PM
Whats the difference between a depredation permit and a damage permit? I got a damage permit from a land owner, but I had to have a damage deer transport tag. It was only $22, but I wonder why I needed it and a depredation permit dont require it?
Title: Re: Depredation land owner tags
Post by: emac on January 04, 2017, 09:05:01 PM
I believe they are the same thing.  And even if you fill your general tag you can still hunt on one of these tags as long as you pay the $22.

Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk

Title: Re: Depredation land owner tags
Post by: Dan-o on January 04, 2017, 09:20:21 PM
I believe they are the same thing.  And even if you fill your general tag you can still hunt on one of these tags as long as you pay the $22.

Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk

I don't think they are the same.

I hunted a depredation elk hunt about 3 years ago (did work for the landowner, who doesn't hunt elk), and the WDFW letter clearly stated that no other tag beside the letter was required for kill or transport.
Title: Re: Depredation land owner tags
Post by: Limhangerslayer on January 04, 2017, 09:54:28 PM
I believe they are the same thing.  And even if you fill your general tag you can still hunt on one of these tags as long as you pay the $22.

Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk

I don't think they are the same.

I hunted a depredation elk hunt about 3 years ago (did work for the landowner, who doesn't hunt elk), and the WDFW letter clearly stated that no other tag beside the letter was required for kill or transport.
then that was a kill permit.  A depredation permit requires a depredation tag.  And the tag is a second tag as long as you have a  general season tag for that species used or unused.
Title: Re: Depredation land owner tags
Post by: dreamunelk on January 04, 2017, 11:02:57 PM
There is no such thing as a depredation tag.
Here is a simple explanation.
Only kill permits and damage prevention permits.  There is one other that does not apply here.
Damage prevention permits are intended to be given to a licensed hunter who can purchase a damage tag which is considered a second elk tag.  Effectively the permit writer is authorizing a special season describe on the permit under WAC authority.
Kill permits are intended for a landowner, immediate family member, or tenant of real property.  As defined by WDFW staff they can keep or donate the meat.  these are issued under RCW

The most common issued is a Damage Prevention permit.  The intent is to use a licensed hunter of the landowners choice.
Both have a lot of gray area that is intended to benefit the landowner and was modified in the past couple of years.  Generally issuing staff will advise accordingly.

Prior to this you could use an unfilled tag with a Damage Prevention permit. 
Anyone not meeting the criteria for a kill permit would be hunting out of season!


Title: Re: Depredation land owner tags
Post by: JODakota on January 05, 2017, 12:15:00 AM
My buddy gets kill permits and damage prevention tags for his ranch. Once you get your signed paperwork from wdfw, you must go to the store and buy your permit for damage prevention tags. For kill permits, its shoot on site. you can still fill your general tag and use a damage prevention tag. Speaking of it, I still have a damage elk tag in my pocket....
Title: Re: Depredation land owner tags
Post by: finnman on February 04, 2017, 09:09:30 PM
Thanks all for the details, it was a kill permit, my first, I saw 45 deer in 10 minutes, took the first doe in the first group, 200 yards, through the top of the heart. Deer had larvae in the liver left it for the coyotes.
Should be some great venison!
Title: Re: Depredation land owner tags
Post by: dreamunelk on February 04, 2017, 09:33:32 PM
My buddy gets kill permits and damage prevention tags for his ranch. Once you get your signed paperwork from wdfw, you must go to the store and buy your permit for damage prevention tags. For kill permits, its shoot on site. you can still fill your general tag and use a damage prevention tag. Speaking of it, I still have a damage elk tag in my pocket....

Read the permit.  Damage tag still required for KP unless you meet the criteria.  Call the issuer of the permit.
Title: Re: Depredation land owner tags
Post by: JODakota on February 04, 2017, 11:37:25 PM
My buddy gets kill permits and damage prevention tags for his ranch. Once you get your signed paperwork from wdfw, you must go to the store and buy your permit for damage prevention tags. For kill permits, its shoot on site. you can still fill your general tag and use a damage prevention tag. Speaking of it, I still have a damage elk tag in my pocket....

Read the permit.  Damage tag still required for KP unless you meet the criteria.  Call the issuer of the permit.

His ranch meets the criteria. Thank you though.
Title: Re: Depredation land owner tags
Post by: dreamunelk on February 05, 2017, 05:15:00 AM
My buddy gets kill permits and damage prevention tags for his ranch. Once you get your signed paperwork from wdfw, you must go to the store and buy your permit for damage prevention tags. For kill permits, its shoot on site. you can still fill your general tag and use a damage prevention tag. Speaking of it, I still have a damage elk tag in my pocket....

Read the permit.  Damage tag still required for KP unless you meet the criteria.  Call the issuer of the permit.

His ranch meets the criteria. Thank you though.

Do YOU meet the criteria?
Title: Re: Depredation land owner tags
Post by: JODakota on February 05, 2017, 07:51:59 AM
My buddy gets kill permits and damage prevention tags for his ranch. Once you get your signed paperwork from wdfw, you must go to the store and buy your permit for damage prevention tags. For kill permits, its shoot on site. you can still fill your general tag and use a damage prevention tag. Speaking of it, I still have a damage elk tag in my pocket....

Read the permit.  Damage tag still required for KP unless you meet the criteria.  Call the issuer of the permit.

His ranch meets the criteria. Thank you though.

Do YOU meet the criteria?

I don't have a kill permit so I'm not concerned about meeting it.
Title: Re: Depredation land owner tags
Post by: finnman on February 05, 2017, 11:06:41 AM
There is no such thing as a depredation tag.
Here is a simple explanation.
Only kill permits and damage prevention permits.  There is one other that does not apply here.
Damage prevention permits are intended to be given to a licensed hunter who can purchase a damage tag which is considered a second elk tag.  Effectively the permit writer is authorizing a special season describe on the permit under WAC authority.
Kill permits are intended for a landowner, immediate family member, or tenant of real property.  As defined by WDFW staff they can keep or donate the meat.  these are issued under RCW

The most common issued is a Damage Prevention permit.  The intent is to use a licensed hunter of the landowners choice.
Both have a lot of gray area that is intended to benefit the landowner and was modified in the past couple of years.  Generally issuing staff will advise accordingly.

Prior to this you could use an unfilled tag with a Damage Prevention permit. 
Anyone not meeting the criteria for a kill permit would be hunting out of season!


My kill permit clearly states:
"Hunter to retain carcass." Also says "Free Permit-no license or tag required."
Also says that "Kill permits may not be sold, traded, transferred, or bartered for payment to any person not listed as the landowner OR their designee listed on the permit."
Since my name is on the permit it is safe to say that I am hunting legally and the deer is hanging safely in my garage now.
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