Hunting With Suppressor in WA

[twistiron]

so i have been thinking of getting a suppresor for my rifle to hunt yote's with, the problem is i cannot find out if it is legal in WA. i looked all through the 2011 big game regs but found nothing  . anyone know the regs on this. i have few farmers who are willing to let me hunt with a suppressor or bow (as not to spook there horses) i would like to have the reach of a rifle. thanks.

[vmkeith]

Go to your local fish and wildlife office and ask.

[BlackRidge]

It isnt on the regs yet because its only recently been adopted by the state legislation.  Sure you can check with the WDFW, but at the moment, theres is nothing specifically restricting you from using it.

Try at your own risk

[sebek556]

good question let us know what you find out but my gut feeling is they will say no

[Houndhunter]

they will most definfetly say no , some one will come up with some bs reason of why it is unethical to hunt with a suppressor

[predatorpro]

they cant arrest you for a law that doesnt exist......if a game warden gives you a hard time tell him youd like to see the rcw that says you cant use one for hunting

[runamuk]

they cant arrest you for a law that doesnt exist......if a game warden gives you a hard time tell him youd like to see the rcw that says you cant use one for hunting

I am gonna agree with you and also agree with the person getting hassled if caught but if you are suppressed who is gonna tell on you  the coyotes 

[bobcat]

It's just dumb that anyone would think that there needs to be a law against this. What the heck is wrong with making a gun quieter? Seems like a win-win situation. What is the benefit of having a gun sound like a gun? I don't get it. I suppose it's the same reason air rifles are illegal to hunt with- because they're quiet?        
 
If that's the case, then let's outlaw bow hunting.   

[twistiron]

  hahaha i have been looking every where for a reg on it but the best i can find so far is an article in outdoor life saying it is legal in 20 states??? still looking into it! maybe the hippies  think its unfair to have the advantages of silence with the power of a rifle  i dont see an issue with it!

they cant arrest you for a law that doesnt exist......if a game warden gives you a hard time tell him youd like to see the rcw that says you cant use one for hunting

ya but at the same time i really like my gun and if they found some gay loop hole and confinscated it i would be  if i cant find a reason online i am going to check with my district director. thanks for the feedback and will keep you posted!!!!!!!!!

[TheHunt]

My hearing sucks as it is.  I hunt with ear muffs while deer hunting with those ones that amplify the sound but has an auto shut off so I do not get the blast of the gun but can hear a whisper.

If would be nice to have a rifle with a suppressor so that I would not have to wear muffs.

[twistiron]

http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,73784.15.html

the topic has been here before i am looking into if the gov signed it or not? but some great points brought up there as well. some states like TX allow it for varmit but not game animals! i would settle for that! BYE BYE YOTES! i am going to stay on this issue, possibly a petition? we shall see.

[sebek556]

that was when they made it legal to shoot with a silencer in WA, before you could own one but not shoot with it, now you can. but still have not found anything else on it for hunting...

[twistiron]

yes!!!! HB 1016 - 2011-12
legal july 22 2011

now just got to stay of wdfw as to what they dictate for hunting! i will keep all you followers informed on my findings . people are going to argue poaching agaist allowing them but my logic states that if poaching is already illegal then using a silencer is not going to be there moral stopping point  . keep your fingers crossed, we need to stress the hearing conservation, noise polution reduction, better varmit managment, as well as the fact that you have to have a background check to purchase the stamp so only "QUALIFIED INDIVIDUALS" will be using them.

[rbros]

I asked a game warden the other day and he couldn't give me an answer.  Said he would have to get back to me on that one. 

[twistiron]

  i sent an email to the WDFW rules and regs department and i am waiting for a response. if we are proactive about this issues maybe we can get a petition going to and slip a bill through . i think this is a great opertunity for us to advance WA hunting regs!