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Other Activities => Trapping => Topic started by: bearpaw on April 12, 2016, 01:09:02 PM


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Title: Trapping Seasons & Rules
Post by: bearpaw on April 12, 2016, 01:09:02 PM

FURBEARER TRAPPING SEASONS AND RULES
Effective from September 1, 2018 to March 31, 2019, both dates inclusive
https://wdfw.wa.gov/publications/02012/wdfw02012.pdf

Resident Trapping License $41.60
Non-Resident Trapping License $200.00
Resident Youth Trapping License $18.50
Fur Dealer’s License $200.00
Application Fee (If purchased through Olympia office) $105.00

Trapping and Fur Dealer's licenses are available at the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) Olympia headquarters office (in person or by mail) and at all WDFW license dealers. A trapping license is valid from April 1 to March 31 of the next year.

Statewide Trapping Season: Nov 1 to Mar 31
Badger
Beaver
Bobcat
Marten
Mink
Muskrat
Raccoon
Red Fox
River Otter
Weasel

The trapping season authorizes taking of furbearing animals for their hides and pelts only. Furbearers may not be taken from the wild and held alive for sale or personal use without a permit pursuant to WAC 232-12-064. Any wildlife trapped for which the season is not open shall be released unharmed. Any wildlife that cannot be released unharmed must be left in the trap, and a WDFW regional representative must be notified immediately. Lawfully trapped wild animals must be lethally dispatched or immediately released. A firearm may be used to dispatch trapped animals.

People buying a Washington State Trapping License for the first time must pass an exam in safe, humane, and proper trapper techniques. For information on trapper education materials contact the Hunter Education section of the WDFW office in Olympia at (360) 902-8111.

IT IS UNLAWFUL TO TRAP FOR WILD ANIMALS:
 - With body-gripping traps EXCEPT by permit to abate an animal problem under WAC 232-12-142. This includes, but not limited to, padded foothold traps, unpadded foot-hold traps, all snares, and conibear type traps. (Common rat and mouse traps are not considered body-gripping traps.)
 - Unless traps are checked and animals removed within 72 hours (kill traps).
 - Unless animals captured in restraining traps (any nonkilling set) are removed within 24 hours of capture.
 - Using game birds, game fish, or game animals for bait, except nonedible parts of game birds, game fish, or game animals may be used as bait. (The meat of furbearers is not considered edible.)
 - Within thirty feet of any exposed meat bait or nonedible game parts which are visible to flying raptors.

IDENTIFICATION OF TRAPS AND DISCLOSURE OF IDENTITIES.
 - Trappers shall attach to the chain of their traps or devices a legible metal tag with either their WDFW identification number (trapper ID or Wild ID) or the name and address of the trapper in English letters not less than one-eighth inch in height. When a property owner, lessee, or tenant presents a trapper identification number to the WDFW and requests the identification of the trapper, the WDFW shall provide the requestor with the name and address of the trapper. After disclosing the trappers name, WDFW will also release the requesting individual’s name and address to the trapper. It is unlawful to take a wild animal from another person’s trap without permission, or to spring, pull up, damage, possess or destroy the trap; however, it is not unlawful for a person to remove a trap placed on property owned, leased, or rented by the person.

SEALING REQUIREMENTS FOR BOBCAT AND RIVER OTTER.
 - It is unlawful to possess or export from the state of Washington bobcat or river otter pelts taken in Washington without a Department identification seal attached. Bobcat and river otter pelts, on or off the carcass, must be sealed within 20 days after the close of the appropriate hunting or trapping seasons in which they were harvested. All bobcat and river otter pelts must be presented by the person harvesting them to an authorized Department employee or other authorized individual for sealing. Pelts must be presented in a way that the hide can be sealed. No frozen hides or carcasses will be accepted. To make sure office personnel are available for pelt sealing, hunters and trappers should contact a Department office prior to bringing in a bobcat or river otter.

TRAPPER'S LICENSE AND PERMISSION TO TRAP ON PRIVATE LAND.
 - A state trapping license allows the holder to trap furbearing animals throughout the state; however, a trapper may not place traps on private property without permission of the owner, lessee or tenant where the land is improved and apparently used, or where the land is fenced or enclosed in a manner designed to exclude intruders or to indicate a property boundary line, or where notice is given by posting in a conspicuous manner.

CLOSED AREAS
 - Most public lands are open to trapping, but some areas may be closed. Closed areas include, but are not limited to state and national parks, most federal wildlife refuges and state game reserves. Trappers should check with land managers prior to trapping. Maps and legal descriptions of state game reserves can be found online at: http://wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/regulations/. Legal descriptions of state game reserves are found in the Migratory Waterfowl and Upland Game Pamphlet and Chapter 232-16 of the Washington Administrative Code.

TRAPPER REPORT OF CATCH.
 - All licensed trappers must report their trapping activity (regardless of success or whether they trapped or not) by April 20. Reports must be made using the Department’s Trapper’s Report of Catch form or online at http://wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/trapping/index.php. If a trapper chooses to report using the Trapper’s Report of Catch form, it is the responsibility of the licensed trapper to ensure the form is received (postmarked by April 20) by Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, 600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, Washington 98501-1091. Any trapper not reporting by April 20 will be in noncompliance of reporting requirements. False reports will be considered the same as noncompliance. Failure to report trapping activity is an infraction, punishable under RCW 77.15.160.

This pamphlet is a summary of the trapping seasons and regulations (Chapters 232-12, 232-16 and 232-28 of the Washington Administrative Code) adopted by the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission. This pamphlet does not contain nor is it intended to contain all Department regulations. Caution: Emergency regulation changes may occur while seasons described in this pamphlet are in effect and will supersede information contained herein. Area news media will be informed of changes as they occur.
Report trapping Activity Online (http://wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/trapping/index.php)

Unclassified Wildlife may be hunted or trapped year round (1)
Coyote (2)
Eastern Gray Squirrel (3)
European Rabbit (4)
Fox Squirrels
Gophers (5)
Ground Squirrels (6)
Mice
Moles
Mountain Beaver
Nutria
Opossum
Porcupine
Rats
Shrews
Skunks
Voles
Yellow-Bellied Marmot (rock chuck)

1. To hunt unclassified wildlife, you need a valid big game or small game license. You can hunt unclassified wildlife year round with no bag limit and with any weapon. For instance, you can legally hunt unclassified wildlife with an air rifle.
2. Hunting or pursuing coyotes with dogs is prohibited. Coyotes may be hunted at night EXCEPT during the months of September, October, or November in any area open to a centerfire rifle deer or elk season.
3. Western gray squirrels are protected and cannot be hunted or trapped http://wdfw.wa.gov/living/tree_squirrels.html#native
4. Other rabbits species are protected or classified, seasons and licenses apply to other hunted species
5. Mazama (Western) pocket gophers of Thurston, Pierce, Clark, and Mason Counties are threatened, protected, and cannot be hunted or trapped
6. Golden Mantled ground squirrels and Washington ground squirrels are protected and cannot be hunted or trapped.


HUNTING LICENSE REQUIREMENTS
http://wdfw.wa.gov/help/questions/356/I+heard+about+hunting+unclassified+wildlife.+What+do+I+need+to+purchase+and+what+type+of+weapons+can+I+use+to+hunt+them%3F

WILDLIFE CLASSIFICATION
file:///C:/Users/dale/Downloads/Small%20Game,%20Furbearers,%20and%20Unclassified%20Species%20(3).pdf

No permit is necessary for the use of live (cage) traps http://wdfw.wa.gov/living/nuisance/trapping.html;

PROBLEM ANIMAL TRAPPING PERMITS
http://wdfw.wa.gov/licensing/trapping/
A special trapping permit is required for the use of all traps other than live traps (RCW 77.15.192, 77.15.194; WAC 232-12-142).

LIST OF WILDLIFE CONTROL OPERATORS
http://wdfw.wa.gov/living/nuisance/nwco.php
What is a Wildlife Control Operator? Per WAC, a "wildlife control operator" means a person who has successfully completed the training and obtained one or more levels of certification from the department to assist landowners to prevent or control problems caused by wildlife. Currently, only a small game certification can be obtained at this time.

HOW TO BECOME A WILFIFE CONTROL OPERATOR
http://wdfw.wa.gov/living/nuisance/how_to_become_wco.html
Title: Re: Trapping Seasons & Rules
Post by: ouchfoss on April 12, 2016, 01:24:07 PM
I think this topic should be a sticky. There is questions quite often about the rules and regulations involving trapping and this pretty much answers them all and looks like nothing will change until 2018.  :tup:
Title: Re: Trapping Seasons & Rules
Post by: jasnt on April 12, 2016, 02:19:27 PM
I think this topic should be a sticky. There is questions quite often about the rules and regulations involving trapping and this pretty much answers them all and looks like nothing will change until 2018.  :tup:
:yeah:
Title: Re: Trapping Seasons & Rules
Post by: Kit Carson on April 12, 2016, 05:46:21 PM
I'm reading here that we can trap unclassified wildlife year round?
Am I reading that correctly?
Title: Re: Trapping Seasons & Rules
Post by: jasnt on April 12, 2016, 05:50:58 PM
I'm reading here that we can trap unclassified wildlife year round?
Am I reading that correctly?
yup.  Time to start playing with yote trap designs
Title: Re: Trapping Seasons & Rules
Post by: Kit Carson on April 12, 2016, 06:00:22 PM
I'm reading here that we can trap unclassified wildlife year round?
Am I reading that correctly?
yup.  Time to start playing with yote trap designs

Yup  :tup:
Title: Re: Trapping Seasons & Rules
Post by: Trapper John on April 12, 2016, 07:22:57 PM
I'm reading here that we can trap unclassified wildlife year round?
Am I reading that correctly?
yup.  Time to start playing with yote trap designs

Hunt .........Yes
Trap .......... No.  The only way you can trap is you have to have a NWCO / WCO permit.  Than you can trap.  Problem is even if you have a WCO permit, if your after coyotes you have to get a depredation permit from the department.
JC   :hello:


Title: Re: Trapping Seasons & Rules
Post by: Kit Carson on April 12, 2016, 07:31:09 PM
John,
That's what I originally thought.

PS....I still want a list of your lures whenever you have some time.
Title: Re: Trapping Seasons & Rules
Post by: jasnt on April 12, 2016, 07:40:53 PM
I'm reading here that we can trap unclassified wildlife year round?
Am I reading that correctly?
yup.  Time to start playing with yote trap designs

Hunt .........Yes
Trap .......... No.  The only way you can trap is you have to have a NWCO / WCO permit.  Than you can trap.  Problem is even if you have a WCO permit, if your after coyotes you have to get a depredation permit from the department.
JC   :hello:



what if your not using "body grip"  but trying to use non body grip    this is confusing  it states that coyote are unclassified and that all un classified can be hunted and trapped year round????????
Title: Re: Trapping Seasons & Rules
Post by: bearpaw on April 12, 2016, 08:08:41 PM
It says unclassified can be hunted or trapped year round. I will ask WDFW for clarification by email and post the answer.
Title: Re: Trapping Seasons & Rules
Post by: JakeLand on April 12, 2016, 08:10:24 PM
I'm confused too !!! If its unclassified wildlife you can trap and hunt them as long as you have a trapping license and OR small game hunting license as the way I read it ????
  Maybe Bruce will chime in on this
Title: Re: Trapping Seasons & Rules
Post by: JakeLand on April 12, 2016, 08:11:53 PM
It says unclassified can be hunted or trapped year round. I will ask WDFW for clarification by email and post the answer.

 That's the way I read it with the proper license
Title: Re: Trapping Seasons & Rules
Post by: billythekidrock on April 12, 2016, 08:16:33 PM
I think this topic should be a sticky. There is questions quite often about the rules and regulations involving trapping and this pretty much answers them all and looks like nothing will change until 2018.  :tup:

It is now.
Title: Re: Trapping Seasons & Rules
Post by: Humptulips on April 12, 2016, 08:21:31 PM
It is my understanding that you can trap any unclassified wildlife year around. I'm not sure why you would want to for the most part.
I did have a little experience with this years ago. At that time the season closed in February. I had a broken leg healing and could not work but I could trap. It was march and I figured civets were still good so I was out trapping them. I ran into a game warden and of course he wanted to know what I was up to. I told him and although he thought I was crazy he said I was within the law.
Now the season is so long I can't really imagine any unclassified wildlife being of any value outside season.
I used to trap coyotes in October also before season opened.

If you try this you better have a good explanation when you get asked because it will happen eventually.

You can trap nuisance wildlife outside season on private property with cage traps even if you are not a WCO. You cannot charge for your services if you are not a WCO though. 
Title: Re: Trapping Seasons & Rules
Post by: billythekidrock on April 12, 2016, 08:24:14 PM
It is my understanding that you can trap any unclassified wildlife year around. I'm not sure why you would want to for the most part.
I did have a little experience with this years ago. At that time the season closed in February. I had a broken leg healing and could not work but I could trap. It was march and I figured civets were still good so I was out trapping them. I ran into a game warden and of course he wanted to know what I was up to. I told him and although he thought I was crazy he said I was within the law.
Now the season is so long I can't really imagine any unclassified wildlife being of any value outside season.
I used to trap coyotes in October also before season opened.

If you try this you better have a good explanation when you get asked because it will happen eventually.

You can trap nuisance wildlife outside season on private property with cage traps even if you are not a WCO. You cannot charge for your services if you are not a WCO though. 

Can unclassified wildlife like Mt Beavers be trapped for bait?
Title: Re: Trapping Seasons & Rules
Post by: bearpaw on April 12, 2016, 08:41:15 PM
I'm confused too !!! If its unclassified wildlife you can trap and hunt them as long as you have a trapping license and OR small game hunting license as the way I read it ????
  Maybe Bruce will chime in on this

I sent several questions, one question is asking about trapping and hunting licenses.
Title: Re: Trapping Seasons & Rules
Post by: JakeLand on April 12, 2016, 08:46:16 PM
Thank you now things are getting clearer
Title: Re: Trapping Seasons & Rules
Post by: Humptulips on April 12, 2016, 08:49:14 PM
It is my understanding that you can trap any unclassified wildlife year around. I'm not sure why you would want to for the most part.
I did have a little experience with this years ago. At that time the season closed in February. I had a broken leg healing and could not work but I could trap. It was march and I figured civets were still good so I was out trapping them. I ran into a game warden and of course he wanted to know what I was up to. I told him and although he thought I was crazy he said I was within the law.
Now the season is so long I can't really imagine any unclassified wildlife being of any value outside season.
I used to trap coyotes in October also before season opened.

If you try this you better have a good explanation when you get asked because it will happen eventually.

You can trap nuisance wildlife outside season on private property with cage traps even if you are not a WCO. You cannot charge for your services if you are not a WCO though. 

Can unclassified wildlife like Mt Beavers be trapped for bait?

That is the way I read it.
Title: Re: Trapping Seasons & Rules
Post by: Kit Carson on April 12, 2016, 09:01:08 PM
Thanks everyone  :tup:
Title: Re: Trapping Seasons & Rules
Post by: Redneck Russell on September 28, 2016, 01:36:52 AM
So leg hold traps are still banned?
Title: Re: Trapping Seasons & Rules
Post by: JakeLand on September 28, 2016, 05:53:26 AM
Yes they are illegal! except by WCO with a special permit and the trap has to have padded jaws to spec !
Title: Re: Trapping Seasons & Rules
Post by: Redneck Russell on September 28, 2016, 06:27:45 AM
Yes they are illegal! except by WCO with a special permit and the trap has to have padded jaws to spec !

OK I'm not really good with that but if that's the law so be it.  Guess there's a reason for everything.
Title: Re: Trapping Seasons & Rules
Post by: JakeLand on September 28, 2016, 09:15:31 AM
Ya it sucks ! But like you said the law is the law .would be nice to have conventional trapping back like that's going to happen
Title: Re: Trapping Seasons & Rules
Post by: predatorpro on October 27, 2016, 10:40:53 AM
Ya it sucks ! But like you said the law is the law .would be nice to have conventional trapping back like that's going to happen
Why can't we just sneak that back into some random bill like everyone else...
Title: Re: Trapping Seasons & Rules
Post by: jasnt on October 27, 2016, 12:35:45 PM
Ya it sucks ! But like you said the law is the law .would be nice to have conventional trapping back like that's going to happen
Why can't we just sneak that back into some random bill like everyone else...
:yeah: 
Title: Re: Trapping Seasons & Rules
Post by: LARK on January 17, 2017, 03:43:36 PM
When and how was the mandatory 24 hour trap check initiated?  Was there no input from trappers on this?  This appears to be another attempt to really limit trapping in WA. state.
Title: Re: Trapping Seasons & Rules
Post by: Magnum_Willys on January 17, 2017, 03:57:14 PM
When and how was the mandatory 24 hour trap check initiated?  Was there no input from trappers on this?  This appears to be another attempt to really limit trapping in WA. state.

Yea it was one thing if you could use leg-hold drown sets and conibears and check every other day - but daily I could never run a 50 mile line like the old days. 
Title: Re: Trapping Seasons & Rules
Post by: Humptulips on January 17, 2017, 09:46:06 PM
First off there is no 24 hour check requirement for cages. It says an animal must be removed from a restraining set within 24 hours of capture. The only 24 hour check requirement is on bodygripping traps used with a Special Trapping Permit

Right now you are saying I'm splitting hairs but there are good reasons for the wording over a 24 hour check requirement.

As for why and when I am not completely sure of the history but here goes.
I think the current check requirements were adopted in "98 or "99 before Initiative-713 passed. I was not involved but I think there was a lot of fear because trappers knew the Initiative was coming and it was thought that by doing this it would play to the public better so the Initiative might be defeated.
Obviously it didn't work out but it was a good intentioned attempt to help defeat Initiative-713.   
Title: Re: Trapping Seasons & Rules
Post by: RafaelG on September 09, 2019, 05:51:20 PM
I was looking at the trapper ed manual and was wondering if dog proof traps were legal since all other body traps arent
Title: Re: Trapping Seasons & Rules
Post by: Cougartail on September 09, 2019, 06:57:53 PM
I'm declaring Eastern Washington an illegal trapper sanctuary zone. Do as you please as laws no longer matter. :chuckle:
Title: Re: Trapping Seasons & Rules
Post by: JakeLand on September 09, 2019, 08:53:40 PM
I was looking at the trapper ed manual and was wondering if dog proof traps were legal since all other body traps arent
illegal  :bash:
Title: Re: Trapping Seasons & Rules
Post by: RafaelG on September 10, 2019, 06:01:05 PM
I was looking at the trapper ed manual and was wondering if dog proof traps were legal since all other body traps arent
illegal  :bash:
thanks pal :tup:
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