Post by: ribka on March 10, 2011, 03:52:56 PM
Been a lot of poaching in the area (deer, elk, birds, dogs) in the past months so everyone up there is very aware of what is going on.
Post by: BIGINNER on March 10, 2011, 03:55:10 PM
QUICK QUESTION, WHAT WOULD BE CONSIDERED AN IMPROVED ROAD? AND WOULD YOU BE FINE SPOTLIGHTING, BUT NOT SHOOTING FROM CAR? (AND NO LOADED GUNS) :dunno:
Post by: bearpaw on March 10, 2011, 04:00:17 PM
Post by: dirty24d on March 10, 2011, 04:05:27 PM
Post by: ribka on March 10, 2011, 04:15:05 PM
Sick of being woken up at 0200 hrs with a spotlight in bedroom window.
Neighbors are understandably upset
Post by: KopperBuck on March 10, 2011, 04:16:39 PM
I'm pretty sure any spotlight from the vehicle is gonna qualify as harrasment resulting in a ticket... Where's BIG TEX AT ???
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=77.15.450 (http://apps.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=77.15.450)
(1) A person is guilty of spotlighting big game in the second degree if the person hunts big game with the aid of a spotlight, other artificial light, or night vision equipment while in possession or control of a firearm, bow and arrow, or cross bow.
Post by: MtnMuley on March 10, 2011, 04:27:19 PM
I would suggest you call a local warden where you want to spotlight and ask him what you can do and let him know you will be out. I think you can spotlight and shoot coyotes but probably not from a vehicle, good advice is to get the skinny from a warden in the area you want to spotlight. :twocents::yeah: :yeah: :yeah:
Post by: CAMPMEAT on March 10, 2011, 04:36:18 PM
Post by: bobcat on March 10, 2011, 04:39:12 PM
I'm pretty sure any spotlight from the vehicle is gonna qualify as harrasment resulting in a ticket... Where's BIG TEX AT ???
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=77.15.450 (http://apps.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=77.15.450)
(1) A person is guilty of spotlighting big game in the second degree if the person hunts big game with the aid of a spotlight, other artificial light, or night vision equipment while in possession or control of a firearm, bow and arrow, or cross bow.
That says "if the person hunts big game." If you're not hunting big game, then you can spotlight from a vehicle all you want. (according to that law)
Post by: KopperBuck on March 10, 2011, 04:49:20 PM
Post by: ribka on March 10, 2011, 04:53:37 PM
I'm pretty sure any spotlight from the vehicle is gonna qualify as harrasment resulting in a ticket... Where's BIG TEX AT ???
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=77.15.450 (http://apps.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=77.15.450)
(1) A person is guilty of spotlighting big game in the second degree if the person hunts big game with the aid of a spotlight, other artificial light, or night vision equipment while in possession or control of a firearm, bow and arrow, or cross bow.
That says "if the person hunts big game." If you're not hunting big game, then you can spotlight from a vehicle all you want. (according to that law)
Spotlighting itself is not the issue. The issue is doing it from a motorized vehicle. That is my understanding and what a Game Offical told me :dunno:
Also shooting from your vehicle or standing on and shooting from an improved road would be a issue too. No handicapped issues . Young healthy guys seen.
Throwing beer cans from the vehicle would seem to indicate there are drinking and driving issues too
Post by: chester on March 10, 2011, 05:17:51 PM
spotlight from a vehicle with a weapon= Illegal (hunting from the vehicle)
spotlight from a vehicle with no weapon= legal :)
spotlight from a with anything attached to or touching vehicle for coyotes = illegal (hunting from the vehicle)
spotlighting yotes with a battery powered light = legal
so for the purposes of hunting you must be clear of the vehicle before turning light on. just going shining with a gun in the truck shows intent so remove weapons before you go out to look around at night from your truck.
Post by: Skyvalhunter on March 10, 2011, 05:51:54 PM
Post by: ribka on March 10, 2011, 05:52:52 PM
Just a question but how do you KNOW they have a firearm in their vehicle along with a spot light?
neighbor talked to them and observed in vehicle
Post by: gasman on March 10, 2011, 05:58:18 PM
Just a question but how do you KNOW they have a firearm in their vehicle along with a spot light?
This is a known poaching area.
Ribka has posted pic of animals killed and left for dead a few times this winter.
Post by: Skyvalhunter on March 10, 2011, 06:02:33 PM
Post by: dirty24d on March 10, 2011, 06:55:32 PM
Post by: bobcat on March 10, 2011, 07:03:51 PM
Post by: chester on March 10, 2011, 07:08:29 PM
Post by: ICEMAN on March 10, 2011, 07:13:08 PM
Post by: CamoDup on March 10, 2011, 07:13:58 PM
Post by: 400out on March 10, 2011, 07:14:57 PM
Post by: demontang on March 10, 2011, 09:00:33 PM
Post by: bearpaw on March 10, 2011, 10:06:23 PM
I'm pretty sure any spotlight from the vehicle is gonna qualify as harrasment resulting in a ticket... Where's BIG TEX AT ???
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=77.15.450 (http://apps.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=77.15.450)
(1) A person is guilty of spotlighting big game in the second degree if the person hunts big game with the aid of a spotlight, other artificial light, or night vision equipment while in possession or control of a firearm, bow and arrow, or cross bow.
That says "if the person hunts big game." If you're not hunting big game, then you can spotlight from a vehicle all you want. (according to that law)
bobcat is right, you are not hunting if you don't have a gun. I'm pretty sure the wardens appreciate a call to let them know you will be out so it saves them a huge hassle.
Post by: wastickslinger on March 10, 2011, 10:14:03 PM
On another note. If is perfectly legal to spotlight from an improved road with weapons. It is not legal to harass big game though. There is a difference. The warden will have to catch them shooting from the road or without a doubt harasing big game. But just spotlighting from the road with guns is not ground for a ticket.
I hope they catch then harassing or poaching though.
Post by: KopperBuck on March 12, 2011, 01:59:38 PM
Question though, well two. Why would you consider spotlighting to be harassment? And where is the RCW relating to harassment? Can't find the damn thing.
Post by: LRP on March 12, 2011, 02:25:22 PM
Post by: CAMPMEAT on March 12, 2011, 02:27:39 PM
Let the battle begin.
Post by: Bob33 on March 12, 2011, 02:28:48 PM
A gun is not required to hunt....
Post by: KopperBuck on March 12, 2011, 03:37:14 PM
It is unlawful to shot from, across or along a public roadway. That's a road built with public funds. You can hunt coyotes and bobcats at night with a spotlight. If the light is attached to a vehicle, you might be cited for hunting with the add of a motor vehicle. If you are spotlighting from a public roadway, there are alot of things you could be cited for. Driving under the sped limit, stopping on the roadway, harrassment if you shine a residence. Spotlighting attracts attention of everyone, including the wardens. Common sense is the best way to go. Ethical hunting is what we need to teach. Get away from the vehicle.
I 100% agree, but I've never used spotlighting as a method of harvest. My question is... the act of spotlighting itself, given you've met and satisfied every possible legal infraction, is that harassment? It's not about my purpose, just clarification. As we always complain, the tangle of RCWs, WACs, and our regulations have made it impossible for me to find a definite answer.
Post by: ribka on March 12, 2011, 03:54:37 PM
Here you go guys. I'll stir the fudge. If you're disabled with your disabled placard displayed, you can legally hunt off of any road spotlighting or not as long as you are as far off the road as possible with the motor turned off, you CAN have a loaded gun in your vehicle any time.
Let the battle begin.
Only if you don't have beer and ice cream in the vehicle ;)
So far 2 Game Officers and two sheriff friends of mine have told me no spotlighting from a motorized vehicle. Trying to get a definitive answer.
Post by: CAMPMEAT on March 12, 2011, 05:17:39 PM
Post by: carpsniperg2 on March 12, 2011, 05:36:41 PM
The poaching part sucks big time and I hope they get caught.
On another note. If is perfectly legal to spotlight from an improved road with weapons. It is not legal to harass big game though. There is a difference. The warden will have to catch them shooting from the road or without a doubt harasing big game. But just spotlighting from the road with guns is not ground for a ticket.
I hope they catch then harassing or poaching though.
Here you go guys. I'll stir the fudge. If you're disabled with your disabled placard displayed, you can legally hunt off of any road spotlighting or not as long as you are as far off the road as possible with the motor turned off, you CAN have a loaded gun in your vehicle any time.
Let the battle begin.
Both of these 2 comments are correct. I have been checked out many times by both game wardens, and sheriff officers. Why spotlighting for yotes. I have not and will not ever get a ticket for what i am doing. Because the way I do it, its a 100% legal. If you do it the right way. :tup:
Post by: LRP on March 13, 2011, 11:11:30 AM
Post by: L8NITE on March 13, 2011, 11:39:42 AM
Post by: MIKEXRAY on March 13, 2011, 12:11:02 PM
As stated I don't know the laws that well & with that being said I would never spot light ever for any reason, better to err on the side of caution. Plus I don't really have a reason. Mike
Post by: Bob33 on March 13, 2011, 12:13:31 PM
Post by: LRP on March 13, 2011, 04:00:15 PM