Section 232-12-284. Bighorn sheep—Marking requirements.

(1) For the purpose of this section, horns are defined as the hollow sheath of bighorn sheep ram. The horns do not have to be paired and may include one horn.

(2) It is unlawful for a person who kills a bighorn sheep ram taken in Washington to fail, within ten days after acquisition, to personally present the horns for inspection and permanent marking at a department office or location designated by a department representative. A department employee shall permanently mark one of the horns of each lawfully acquired bighorn sheep. A violation of this subsection is punishable under RCW 77.15.280 (1)(c).

(3) It is unlawful for any person to possess the horns of a bighorn sheep ram originating in Washington except as described in subsections (2) and (4) of this section. Horns of bighorn sheep found dead in Washington must be left in the field. A violation of this subsection is punishable under RCW 77.15.410.

(4) It is unlawful to offer for sale, sell, purchase, or barter, bighorn sheep horns without a written permit authorized by the director. Permits will only be granted where such sale, purchase, or barter will specifically benefit bighorn sheep conservation or management. It is unlawful for any person who transfers ownership or possession of the horns of a bighorn sheep ram that have been permanently marked to fail to give written notice of the transfer to the department within thirty days after the transfer. In the case of horns originating from a bighorn sheep legally obtained prior to the initiation of permanent marking in the jurisdiction of its origin, the director is authorized to issue a permit for possession (but not for resale); such a permit must subsequently be retained with the horns. After such a permit is issued, the horns must be presented for permanent marking to a WDFW office within thirty days. A violation of this subsection is punishable under RCW 77.15.750, provided it does not involve trafficking of bighorn sheep or the parts thereof.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 77.04.012, 77.04.055, 77.12.047, 77.12.150, and 77.12.240. WSR 16-03-045 (Order 16-06), § 232-12-284, filed 1/14/16, effective 2/14/16; WSR 15-10-048 (Order 15-101), § 232-12-284, filed 4/29/15, effective 5/30/15. Statutory Authority: RCW 77.12.047, 77.12.020, 77.12.570, 77.12.210, 77.12.150, 77.12.240, 77.32.070, 77.32.530. WSR 10-10-061 (Order 10-94), § 232-12-284, filed 4/30/10, effective 5/31/10. Statutory Authority: RCW 77.12.040. WSR 96-22-073 (Order 96-193), § 232-12-284, filed 11/5/96, effective 12/6/96; WSR 81-12-029 (Order 165), § 232-12-284, filed 6/1/81.]

RCW 77.04.012, 77.04.055, 77.12.047, 77.12.150, and 77.12.240. WSR 16-03-045 (Order 16-06), § 232-12-284, filed 1/14/16, effective 2/14/16; WSR 15-10-048 (Order 15-101), § 232-12-284, filed 4/29/15, effective 5/30/15. Statutory Authority: RCW 77.12.047, 77.12.020, 77.12.570, 77.12.210, 77.12.150, 77.12.240, 77.32.070, 77.32.530. WSR 10-10-061 (Order 10-94), § 232-12-284, filed 4/30/10, effective 5/31/10. Statutory Authority: RCW 77.12.040. WSR 96-22-073 (Order 96-193), § 232-12-284, filed 11/5/96, effective 12/6/96; WSR 81-12-029 (Order 165), § 232-12-284, filed 6/1/81.