Post by: texasbuckmaster on October 02, 2010, 11:15:51 PM
Post by: duckaholic on October 02, 2010, 11:46:39 PM
1. Hunting with artificial lights:
Hunting BIG GAME with the aid of an artificial
light or spotlight is prohibited.
Night Hunting and Hound Hunting
During Deer and Elk Hunting Seasons
Bobcat, raccoon, and coyote may be hunted at night during established bobcat and raccoon seasons, EXCEPT that it is unlawful to hunt any wildlife at night
or wild animals with dogs (hounds) during the months of September, October, or November in any area open to a centerfire rifle deer or elk season. The use of
hounds to hunt black bear, cougar, bobcat, or coyote is prohibited year round except during commission authorized hunts.
Post by: dscubame on October 03, 2010, 07:16:10 AM
Post by: jayrod9528 on October 03, 2010, 07:59:23 AM
Post by: Antlerking on October 03, 2010, 08:05:16 AM
Post by: Bofire on October 03, 2010, 09:03:35 AM
Carl
Post by: mulehunter on October 03, 2010, 09:09:35 AM
Spotlight is way too big Toy to use. Never used it.
Mulehunter ;)
Post by: sivart33 on October 04, 2010, 12:04:13 PM
Post by: BlackRidge on October 04, 2010, 12:07:30 PM
Post by: Kain on October 04, 2010, 12:34:54 PM
http://wdfw.wa.gov/publications/00766/wdfw00766.pdf (http://wdfw.wa.gov/publications/00766/wdfw00766.pdf)
1. Hunting with artificial lights:
Hunting BIG GAME with the aid of an artificial
light or spotlight is prohibited.
Night Hunting and Hound Hunting
During Deer and Elk Hunting Seasons
Bobcat, raccoon, and coyote may be hunted at night during established bobcat and raccoon seasons, EXCEPT that it is unlawful to hunt any wildlife at night
or wild animals with dogs (hounds) during the months of September, October, or November in any area open to a centerfire rifle deer or elk season. The use of
hounds to hunt black bear, cougar, bobcat, or coyote is prohibited year round except during commission authorized hunts.
You have to read them very carefully. Hunting coyotes at night with lights is legal. They are not big game. You CANNOT hunt them at night in Sept, Oct, or Nov IF the area is open to CENTERFIRE RIFLE for deer and elk. Notice it does not say "modern firearms" it specifies "centerfire rifle".
If you are like me and live in a unit that is never open to "rifles" you can hunt coyotes as well as bobcats and raccoons in Sept, Oct and Nov but you have to also read the legal hunting hours rules on page 68.
Quote
*These are lawful hunting hours (one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset) for game animals and forest grouse (ruffed, blue, spruce) during
established seasons. Exceptions: (a) Bobcat and raccoon are exempt from hunting hour restrictions during established bobcat and raccoon seasons except
when that area is open to modern firearm hunting of deer or elk, hunting hours shall be one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset. (b) Hunting
hours for falconry seasons (except migratory game bird seasons) are exempt from these hunting hours, except on designated pheasant release sites.
Notice that there is an exception to the hunting hours for bobcat and raccoon but it does not mention coyotes. :dunno: This section now says you cannot hunt bobcats and raccoons at night WHEN that area is open to MODERN FIREARMS HUNTING OF DEER AD ELK. Notice is says "modern firearms" and not "centerfire rifle".
What does this all mean? It means, IMO, that you cannot hunt coyotes or bobcats and raccoons at night, in most units, during Sept, Oct and Nov unless that area is closed to centerfire rifle. I say that because the regs say "IF" the area is open to "CENTERFIRE RIFLE" not "when".
Am I way off?
Post by: BlackRidge on October 04, 2010, 03:34:19 PM
I'm all for making sure precisely worded regs are made available, but if theyre too precise, they end up doing more to confuse people, than act to clarify. ...Maybe they should just write the regs like we're all beyond stupid :P
Post by: mjbskwim on October 06, 2010, 12:57:37 AM
Quote
Notice that there is an exception to the hunting hours for bobcat and raccoon but it does not mention coyotes. Dunno This section now says you cannot hunt bobcats and raccoons at night WHEN that area is open to MODERN FIREARMS HUNTING OF DEER AD ELK. Notice is says "modern firearms" and not "centerfire rifle".
There isn't a season for yotes so they state it by the coon and bobcat seasons.
So if you are in a centerfire legal area during elk and deer season you can't light em at night.
But if you are in a 'restricted weapon' area (shotgun muzzy and archery) you can light em all year
And if your centerfire legal area is closed for deer and elk you can hunt at night.
:dunno:
Post by: CAMPMEAT on October 06, 2010, 09:26:26 AM
Post by: sivart33 on October 06, 2010, 09:25:11 PM
QuoteNotice that there is an exception to the hunting hours for bobcat and raccoon but it does not mention coyotes. Dunno This section now says you cannot hunt bobcats and raccoons at night WHEN that area is open to MODERN FIREARMS HUNTING OF DEER AD ELK. Notice is says "modern firearms" and not "centerfire rifle".
There isn't a season for yotes so they state it by the coon and bobcat seasons.
So if you are in a centerfire legal area during elk and deer season you can't light em at night.
But if you are in a 'restricted weapon' area (shotgun muzzy and archery) you can light em all year
And if your centerfire legal area is closed for deer and elk you can hunt at night.
:dunno:
shotgun=modern firearm, does not say anything about centerfire gun. it says modern. so during archery/muzzleloader season you can but during any area that is open during deer/elk season don't even try.
Post by: wastickslinger on October 06, 2010, 09:41:53 PM
If your using a spotlight at night, have a PREDATOR CAll. That's what the local game warden says. :twocents:
I cant find that in the regs. I go by the black and white book that they are suppose to enforce by. What idiot what make a coment that you have to have a call to spotlight. Just dont do it during a big game season, plain and simple.
Post by: dscubame on October 06, 2010, 09:43:55 PM
Post by: CAMPMEAT on October 12, 2010, 09:43:42 PM
If your using a spotlight at night, have a PREDATOR CAll. That's what the local game warden says. :twocents:
I cant find that in the regs. I go by the black and white book that they are suppose to enforce by. What idiot what make a coment that you have to have a call to spotlight. Just dont do it during a big game season, plain and simple.
Straight from the Game Wardens mouth is where that came from. And : suppose to enforce by. is a good one. The call is to prove ? you're hunting coyotes at night ??? Ya got me. :twocents:
Post by: CAMPMEAT on October 12, 2010, 09:47:49 PM
Post by: Machias on October 12, 2010, 11:05:48 PM
Post by: CAMPMEAT on October 13, 2010, 06:59:15 PM
You don't need a predator call, could care less what this or that enforcement officer "thinks" is needed or not. Plenty of bobcats, coons, fox and yotes have met their demise by a lip squeak or a kiss to the back of your hand. Some of these guys crack me up, from LEO's who teach RCWs and don't have a clue what the laws says to guys making stuff up on their own.
Exactly... :)
Post by: nontypical176 on October 13, 2010, 08:45:13 PM
Post by: Big10gauge on October 13, 2010, 08:58:43 PM
Thank the WDFW for clearing that up and clarifying the rules for us...............Its almost my favorite thing.....Late muzzle loader, spot a bull coming out to feed before dark, walk in the next morning before light, see some a-hole running a spotlight for "coyotes and such", walk back to my truck and thank the WDFW for all the great things they do. Happened twice last year. No you can't spot coyotes any more dang it. Tell everyone its closed until Dec 16. I call B.S.
So the way I'm reading your post is that a-holes shouldn't be able to enjoy their type of legal hunting until your done with yours? :dunno: Sure it's an unfortunate incident, last year we called in a big bull elk within 50 yds and was about to seal the deal when a grouse hunter came up a old road about 290yrds away on his wheeler, all we needed was about 20 more seconds, last we saw of that bull. Got to take it in stride
Post by: nontypical176 on October 14, 2010, 05:42:39 AM
Don't get me wrong I hope everyone enjoys "Their type of legal hunting" but the rules shouldn't be so twisted that its got to screw up other seasons. I go out spot lighting critters on occasion, but never during a big game season. Just isn't right IMO. Besides there are plenty of poachers out there and its pretty easy to say a deer or elk that was shot at night was taken during the day. "I'm just out hunting coyotes"...............Yeah I bet all the lights we see during our M.L. elk season are just hunting critters......Not a chance. Just giving poachers less of a chance at getting caught.
Post by: Kain on October 14, 2010, 08:03:53 AM
It is no wonder we are all loosing opportunities in this state when we have every different user group turning against the others. Sometimes we are our own worst enemies. I think they closed night hunting, during modern firearms, due to safety concerns not for special treatment. Just like hunter orange is required only for modern firearms.
Post by: BlackRidge on October 14, 2010, 11:21:04 AM
Post by: prkrgrp on October 14, 2010, 05:17:51 PM
is it legal to spot light coyotes in Washington?stay on private property and you should have no problem, with permission, any other time it's a crap shoot whether you can be fined or not. don't take the chance,
Post by: Antlerking on October 14, 2010, 05:55:54 PM
Post by: Machias on October 14, 2010, 06:17:25 PM
Yep definatly illegel :) I would not do it at all, just stick with hunting the daylight hours and I will take care of the night hunting! :) many of dogs and cats have died under the power of my spotlight, for 2 months out of the year we destroy em from 10 pm to 6am . We have been stopped plenty of times and never had a ticket, or anything, just the occasional (be carefull and have a good night).
:yeah:
Post by: grundy53 on October 14, 2010, 06:28:07 PM
Why do modern hunters get the special privelage of no spot lighting during their seasons? The right thing to do and the easy way to clear up any confusion is to not allow spot lighting during any general seasons. People out hunting coyotes and such have other methods they can use during daylight hours. I cannot hunt elk/deer at night. Spot lighters can cover a lot of ground and spook every big game animal for miles back into the brush before dawn.
Don't get me wrong I hope everyone enjoys "Their type of legal hunting" but the rules shouldn't be so twisted that its got to screw up other seasons. I go out spot lighting critters on occasion, but never during a big game season. Just isn't right IMO. Besides there are plenty of poachers out there and its pretty easy to say a deer or elk that was shot at night was taken during the day. "I'm just out hunting coyotes"...............Yeah I bet all the lights we see during our M.L. elk season are just hunting critters......Not a chance. Just giving poachers less of a chance at getting caught.
You can still spot light during modern firearm seasons. You just can't hunt while you do it. So that kind of nullifies your argument. They are still getting spooked during modern too. Especially elk season.
Post by: nontypical176 on October 14, 2010, 07:09:43 PM
One thing about lights during modern season I know to be fact..............My uncle and cousin were coming out of the woods one evening and seen a suspicious looking buck, not moving and just didn't look right. Suspecting he was robo deer they decided to snap a quick picture of him and before they could drive off the wardens popped out into the road and wrote them a ticket for Harrasment of Wildlife. My uncle went to court and the charges were dropped. Don't know if the camera or his truck headlights qualified for the harasment but they were sited none the less. That was 2 years ago in region 5.
Post by: mjbskwim on October 25, 2010, 10:59:15 PM
QuoteNotice that there is an exception to the hunting hours for bobcat and raccoon but it does not mention coyotes. Dunno This section now says you cannot hunt bobcats and raccoons at night WHEN that area is open to MODERN FIREARMS HUNTING OF DEER AD ELK. Notice is says "modern firearms" and not "centerfire rifle".
There isn't a season for yotes so they state it by the coon and bobcat seasons.
So if you are in a centerfire legal area during elk and deer season you can't light em at night.
But if you are in a 'restricted weapon' area (shotgun muzzy and archery) you can light em all year
And if your centerfire legal area is closed for deer and elk you can hunt at night.
:dunno:
shotgun=modern firearm, does not say anything about centerfire gun. it says modern. so during archery/muzzleloader season you can but during any area that is open during deer/elk season don't even try.
Yeah so it's OK to screw with OUR hunts,archery and muzzy?
I don't like that.
Some kids (20s to me is kids) where wearing vests to duck hunt.They said the rules are hard to keep track of,they didn't know better.
I said they make it that way to catch you (IMO).
But it also makes it harder for them to convict you too.
Not saying to do anything illegal,but if you do screw up,I could see where the state might have trouble .
But you would still have to work to get your truck and guns back.
Problem being that a local citizen may call an uninformed sheriff.That's when the problems would start.
(see the muzzy elk hunter in Brinnon last year)
Post by: elkslayer069 on October 26, 2010, 09:21:20 PM
Post by: hoosier85 on November 11, 2010, 10:37:40 PM