Hunting Washington Forum
Other Hunting => Waterfowl => Topic started by: Slow-drifter on January 06, 2023, 04:43:49 PM
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Can anyone explain the actual rules for duck hunting below the mean high tide line? Basically, I re-found a spot that I hunted as a kid along the straits, and thanks to OnX discovered that it's a small piece of private land between the public road and the beach. I've tried to contact the owners a dozen times but no answer or reply. Is it legal for me to hunt the beach at low tide? Also I should add, it's raw land with nobody around. Not even a road into it
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Good question.
I think the law varies, what does it show on onX maps?
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Depends on who owns the tideland. Some are privately owned, some not. Check multiple mapping services, it can be a very big deal if you get it wrong. If there is private between where you want to hunt and the road, you can't cross that legally without permission, but could access it by boat.
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There is access a couple hundred yards down the beach, but it's a couple hundred yards from where I'd like to hunt. And the mapping apps show the property line about where I would guess the high tide line to be
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You're probably good, but I would check a second source. I hunt an area that shows private on one map and public on another.
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It will depend on a few things. When land was first purchased, what county, etc. Best bet is to get details for the property from assessor's office for that county, but I think onx taps those databases.
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My suggestion is to get a copy of the landowners' deed, its' public record available at the auditor's office.
This should indicate if the upland landowners' rights extend to or include the tidelands.
You may want to talk to your local land surveyor or title officer to explain how far this deed extends towards the straits/water.
Good Luck.
Rob.
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When I owned waterfront land, I owned it to the mean low water line, not the high line. I believe this is the norm in WA. Best to check for sure before you trespass.
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I get good info from county parcel maps from time to time.
Looking briefly at the Clallam County map, it shows ownership of many tidelands that extend well out into the tidal zone :dunno:
https://websrv31.clallamcountywa.gov/portal/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=d85c1dec6c464aea9d7b8023401522db&find=033010200000 (https://websrv31.clallamcountywa.gov/portal/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=d85c1dec6c464aea9d7b8023401522db&find=033010200000)
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Thanks for all of the replies. I'm going to play it safe and keep trying to track down the owners and get written permission hopefully