Section 232-28-342. 2015-16, 2016-17, 2017-18 Small game and other wildlife seasons and regulations.

Hunters must comply with the bag, possession, and season limits described in this section. Failure to do so constitutes a violation of RCW 77.15.245, 77.15.400, or 77.15.430, depending on the species hunted and the circumstances of the violation.

STATEWIDE SEASONS:

(1) FOREST GROUSE (BLUE, RUFFED, AND SPRUCE)

(a) DAILY BAG LIMIT: 4 grouse per day, to include not more than 3 Blue Grouse, 3 Spruce Grouse, and 3 Ruffed Grouse.

(b) POSSESSION LIMIT: 12 grouse, to include not more than 9 Blue Grouse, 9 Spruce Grouse, and 9 Ruffed Grouse.

(c) SEASON DATES: Sept. 1 - Dec. 31 during the current license year.

(2) BOBCAT

(a) BAG AND POSSESSION LIMITS: No limit.

(b) SEASON DATES: Sept. 1 - Mar. 15 during the current license year.

(c) RESTRICTION: It is unlawful to hunt bobcat with dogs.

(3) RACCOON

(a) BAG AND POSSESSION LIMITS: No limit.

(b) OPEN AREA: Statewide, EXCEPT closed on Long Island within Willapa National Wildlife Refuge.

(c) SEASON DATES: Sept. 1 - Mar. 15 during the current license year.

(4) FOX

(a) BAG AND POSSESSION LIMITS: No limit.

(b) OPEN AREA: Statewide, EXCEPT closed within the exterior boundaries of the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie, Okanogan, Wenatchee, and Gifford Pinchot National Forests.

(c) SEASON DATES: Sept. 1 - Mar. 15 during the current license year.

(5) COYOTE

(a) BAG AND POSSESSION LIMITS: No limit.

(b) OPEN AREA: Statewide.

(c) SEASON DATES: Year-round.

(d) RESTRICTION: It is unlawful to hunt coyote with dogs.

(6) COTTONTAIL RABBIT AND SNOWSHOE HARE (OR WASHINGTON HARE)

(a) BAG AND POSSESSION LIMITS: 5 cottontails or snowshoe hares per day, with a total of 15 in possession at any time, straight or mixed bag.

(b) SEASON DATES: Sept. 1 - Mar. 15 during the current license year.

(7) CROWS

(a) BAG AND POSSESSION LIMITS: No limit.

(b) SEASON DATES: Sept. 1 - Dec. 31 during the current license year.

(8) JACKRABBIT:

Closed statewide.

(9) PTARMIGAN, SAGE, AND SHARP-TAILED GROUSE:

Closed statewide.

(10) WILD TURKEY:

(a) YOUTH SEASON: Open only to youth hunters accompanied by an adult 18 years of age or older.

(i) LEGAL BIRD: Male turkeys and turkeys with visible beards only.

(ii) SEASON DATES:

(A) April 4-5, 2015;

(B) April 2-3, 2016;

(C) April 1-2, 2017; and

(D) April 7-8, 2018.

(b) SPRING SEASON

(i) LEGAL BIRD: Male turkeys and turkeys with visible beards only.

(ii) SEASON DATES: April 15 - May 31 during the current license year.

(iii) BAG LIMIT: The combined spring/youth season limit is 3 birds. Only 2 turkeys may be killed in Eastern Washington, except only one (1) may be killed in Chelan, Kittitas, or Yakima counties. One (1) turkey may be killed per year in Western Washington outside of Klickitat County. Two (2) turkeys may be killed in Klickitat County.

(c) EARLY FALL GENERAL SEASON

(i) LEGAL HUNTER: Open to all hunters with a valid turkey tag.

(ii) OPEN AREA: GMUs 101-154 and 162-186.

(iii) SEASON DATES:

(A) Sept. 19 - Oct. 16, 2015;

(B) Sept. 17 - Oct. 14, 2016, (GMUs 145-154, 162-186);

(C) Sept. 17 - Oct. 31, 2016, (GMUs 101-142);

(D) Sept. 23 - Oct. 13, 2017, (GMUs 145-154, 162-186);

(E) Sept. 23 - Oct. 31, 2017, (GMUs 101-142).

(iv) BAG LIMIT: Three (3) turkeys during the early fall general season with the following area restrictions:

(d) FALL PERMIT SEASONS

(i) LEGAL BIRD: Either sex.

(ii) LEGAL HUNTER: All hunters who are selected in the fall turkey special permit drawing and who also possess a valid turkey tag.

*BAG LIMIT: During the fall permit hunting seasons.

(e) LATE FALL SEASON

(i) LEGAL BIRD: Either sex.

(ii) LEGAL HUNTER: Open to all hunters with a valid turkey tag.

(iii) OPEN AREA: GMUs 105-154, 162-186.

(iv) SEASON DATES: Nov. 20 - Dec. 15 during the current license year.

(v) BAG LIMIT: One (1) turkey.

(f) HUNTER EDUCATION INSTRUCTOR INCENTIVE PERMITS

(i) LEGAL BIRD: Male turkeys and turkeys with visible beards only.

(ii) LEGAL HUNTER: Qualified hunter education instructors who are selected through a random drawing. Hunter education instructors qualify if the instructor is certified and has been in active status for a minimum of 3 consecutive years, inclusive of the year prior to the permit drawing.

(iii) OPEN AREA: Statewide.

(iv) SEASON DATES: April 1 - May 31 during the current license year.

(v) PERMITS: 2 individuals will be drawn for this permit per year.

(vi) BAG LIMIT: 1 male turkey or turkey with visible beard in addition to other spring season turkey harvest.

(g) OFFICIAL HUNTING HOURS FOR WILD TURKEY:

1/2 hour before sunrise to sunset during spring and fall seasons.

(h) SPECIAL RULES FOR WILD TURKEY:

(i) It is unlawful to hunt turkey unless the hunter possesses a turkey tag.

(ii) It is unlawful to hunt turkeys with dogs.

(iii) It is unlawful to bait game birds.

EASTERN WASHINGTON SEASONS:

(11) RING-NECKED PHEASANT

(a) BAG AND POSSESSION LIMITS: Three (3) cock pheasants per day. Hunters may possess up to 15 cock pheasants at any one time.

(b) YOUTH SEASON DATES: Open only to youth hunters accompanied by an adult 18 years of age or older.

(i) Sept. 19-20, 2015;

(ii) Sept. 17-18, 2016; and

(iii) Sept. 23-24, 2017.

(c) HUNTERS SIXTY-FIVE YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER AND HUNTERS WITH DISABILITIES SEASON DATES:

(i) Sept. 21-25, 2015;

(ii) Sept. 19-23, 2016; and

(iii) Sept. 25-29, 2017.

(d) REGULAR SEASON DATES:

(i) Oct. 24, 2015 - Jan. 18, 2016;

(ii) Oct. 22, 2016 - Jan. 16, 2017; and

(iii) Oct. 21, 2017 - Jan. 15, 2018.

(12) CHUKAR

(a) BAG AND POSSESSION LIMITS: 6 chukar per day. Hunters may possess up to 18 chukar at any one time.

(b) YOUTH SEASON DATES: Open only to youth hunters accompanied by an adult 18 years of age or older.

(i) Sept. 19-20, 2015;

(ii) Sept. 17-18, 2016; and

(iii) Sept. 23-24, 2017.

(c) REGULAR SEASON DATES:

(i) Oct. 3, 2015 - Jan. 18, 2016;

(ii) Oct. 1, 2016 - Jan. 16, 2017; and

(iii) Oct. 7, 2017 - Jan. 15, 2018.

(13) GRAY (HUNGARIAN) PARTRIDGE

(a) BAG AND POSSESSION LIMITS: 6 gray partridges per day. Hunters may possess up to 18 gray partridges at any one time.

(b) YOUTH SEASON DATES: Open only to youth hunters accompanied by an adult 18 years of age or older.

(i) Sept. 19-20, 2015;

(ii) Sept. 17-18, 2016; and

(iii) Sept. 23-24, 2017.

(c) REGULAR SEASON DATES:

(i) Oct. 3, 2015 - Jan. 18, 2016;

(ii) Oct. 1, 2016 - Jan. 16, 2017; and

(iii) Oct. 7, 2017 - Jan. 15, 2018.

(14) MOUNTAIN QUAIL

Closed throughout Eastern Washington.

(15) CALIFORNIA (VALLEY) QUAIL AND NORTHERN BOBWHITE

(a) BAG AND POSSESSION LIMITS: 10 quail per day. Hunters may possess up to 30 quail at any one time, straight or mixed bag.

(b) YOUTH SEASON DATES: Open only to youth hunters accompanied by an adult 18 years of age or older.

(i) Sept. 19-20, 2015;

(ii) Sept. 17-18, 2016; and

(iii) Sept. 23-24, 2017.

(c) REGULAR SEASON DATES:

(i) Oct. 3, 2015 - Jan. 18, 2016;

(ii) Oct. 1, 2016 - Jan. 16, 2017; and

(iii) Oct. 7, 2017 - Jan. 15, 2018.

WESTERN WASHINGTON SEASONS:

(16) RING-NECKED PHEASANT

(a) BAG AND POSSESSION LIMITS: 2 pheasants of either sex per day. Hunters may possess up to 15 pheasants at any one time.

(b) YOUTH SEASON DATES: Open only to youth hunters accompanied by an adult 18 years of age or older.

(i) Sept. 19-20, 2015;

(ii) Sept. 17-18, 2016; and

(iii) Sept. 23-24, 2017.

(c) HUNTERS SIXTY-FIVE YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER AND HUNTERS WITH DISABILITIES SEASON DATES:

(i) Sept. 21-25, 2015;

(ii) Sept. 19-23, 2016; and

(iii) Sept. 25-29, 2017.

(d) REGULAR SEASON DATES: 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

(i) Sept. 26 - Nov. 30, 2015;

(ii) Sept. 24 - Nov. 30, 2016; and

(iii) Sept. 30 - Nov. 30, 2017.

(e) EXTENDED SEASON DATES:

(i) Dec. 1-15, during the current license year.

(ii) 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. only at the following release sites: Belfair, Fort Lewis, Kosmos, Lincoln Creek, Scatter Creek, Skookumchuck, and all Whidbey Island release sites EXCEPT Bayview.

(iii) The department will not release pheasants during the extended season.

(f) SPECIAL RESTRICTION: Western Washington pheasant hunters must choose to hunt only on odd-numbered or even-numbered weekend days from 8:00 - 10:00 a.m. at all units of Lake Terrell, Tennant Lake, Snoqualmie, Skagit, Skookumchuck, and Scatter Creek Wildlife Areas, and all hunting sites on Whidbey Island. Hunters must indicate their choice of odd-numbered or even-numbered weekend days on the Western Washington Pheasant Permit by choosing "odd" or "even." Hunters who select the three day option, hunters possessing a valid disabled hunter permit, hunters 65 years of age or older, and youth hunters may hunt in the morning on both odd-numbered and even-numbered weekend days. Youth hunters must be accompanied by an adult 18 years of age or older, and the adult must have an appropriately marked pheasant permit if hunting.

(17) MOUNTAIN QUAIL

(a) BAG AND POSSESSION LIMITS: 2 mountain quail per day. Hunters may possess up to 4 mountain quail at any one time.

(b) SEASON DATES:

(i) Sept. 26 - Nov. 30, 2015;

(ii) Sept. 24 - Nov. 30, 2016; and

(iii) Sept. 30 - Nov. 30, 2017.

(18) CALIFORNIA (VALLEY) QUAIL AND NORTHERN BOBWHITE

(a) BAG AND POSSESSION LIMITS: 10 California (valley) quail or northern bobwhite per day. Hunters may possess up to 30 California (valley) quail or northern bobwhite at any one time, straight or mixed bag.

(b) SEASON DATES:

(i) Sept. 26 - Nov. 30, 2015;

(ii) Sept. 24 - Nov. 30, 2016; and

(iii) Sept. 30 - Nov. 30, 2017.

FALCONRY SEASONS:

(19) UPLAND GAME BIRD AND FOREST GROUSE - FALCONRY

(a) BAG AND POSSESSION LIMITS:

(i) 2 pheasants (either sex);

(ii) 6 partridge;

(iii) 5 California (valley) quail or northern bobwhite;

(iv) 2 mountain quail (in Western Washington only);

(v) 3 forest grouse (blue, ruffed, spruce) per day; and

(vi) Possession limit is twice the daily bag limit.

(b) OPEN AREA: Statewide.

(c) SEASON DATES: Aug. 1 - Mar. 15 during the current license year.

(20) TURKEY - FALCONRY

(a) A turkey tag is required to hunt turkey during the turkey falconry season.

(b) BAG AND POSSESSION LIMITS: One (1) turkey (either sex) per turkey tag, with a maximum of 2 turkeys. Hunters may possess up to 2 turkeys at any one time.

(c) OPEN AREA: Eastern Washington.

(d) SEASON DATES: Sept. 1 - Feb. 15 during the current license year.

(21) COTTONTAIL RABBIT AND SNOWSHOE HARE - FALCONRY

(a) BAG AND POSSESSION LIMITS: 5 cottontails or snowshoe hares per day, straight or mixed bag. Hunters may possess up to 15 cottontails or snowshoe hares at any one time, straight or mixed bag.

(b) OPEN AREA: Statewide.

(c) SEASON DATES: Aug. 1 - Mar. 15 during the current license year.

OTHER SEASONS:

(22) BIRD DOG TRAINING SEASON

(a) Wild upland game birds may be pursued during the dog-training season but may not be killed except during established hunting seasons. A small game license is required to train dogs on wild game birds. A Western Washington Pheasant Permit is required to train dogs on pheasants in Western Washington. Captive raised game birds may be released and killed during dog training if the hunter has proof of lawful acquisition (invoices) and the birds are appropriately marked (WAC 232-12-271 and 232-12-044).

(b) OPEN AREA: Statewide.

(c) SEASON DATES: Aug. 1 - Mar. 31 during the current license year.

(d) Only youth and seniors may train dogs during their respective seasons on designated Western Washington pheasant release sites.

(e) Bird dog training may be conducted year round on areas posted for bird dog training on portions of:

(i) Region One - Espanola (T24N, R40E, E 1/2 of section 16);

(ii) Region Three - South L. T. Murray Wildlife Area;

(iii) Region Four - Skagit Wildlife Area, Lake Terrell Wildlife Area, and Snoqualmie Wildlife Area;

(iv) Region Five - Shillapoo/Vancouver Lake Wildlife Area;

(v) Region Six - Scatter Creek Wildlife Area, Fort Lewis Military Base.

(23) YAKAMA INDIAN RESERVATION:

The 2015-16, 2016-17, and 2017-18 upland bird seasons within the Yakama Indian Reservation are the same as the season established by the Yakama Indian Nation.

(24) COLVILLE INDIAN RESERVATION:

The 2015-16, 2016-17, and 2017-18 upland bird seasons within the Colville Indian Reservation are the same as the season established by the Colville Indian Tribe.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 77.04.012, 77.04.020, 77.04.055, 77.12.047, 77.12.150, 77.12.240, 77.12.800, 77.32.090, and 77.32.155. WSR 16-12-087, § 232-28-342, filed 5/31/16, effective 7/1/16. Statutory Authority: RCW 77.04.012, 77.04.055, 77.12.047, 77.12.150, and 77.12.240. WSR 15-10-033 (Order 15-95), § 232-28-342, filed 4/28/15, effective 5/29/15. Statutory Authority: RCW 77.12.047, 77.12.240, and 77.32.070. WSR 14-10-019 (Order 14-95), § 232-28-342, filed 4/25/14, effective 5/26/14; WSR 13-11-078 (Order 13-94), § 232-28-342, filed 5/16/13, effective 6/16/13. Statutory Authority: RCW 77.12.047. WSR 12-11-005 (Order 12-70), § 232-28-342, filed 5/2/12, effective 6/2/12. 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), § 232-28-342, filed 4/30/10, effective 5/31/10. Statutory Authority: RCW 77.12.047, 77.12.020, 77.12.570, 77.12.210, 77.12.150, 77.12.240. WSR 09-09-083 (Order 09-53), § 232-28-342, filed 4/15/09, effective 5/16/09. Statutory Authority: RCW 77.12.047, 77.12.020, 77.12.570, 77.12.210. WSR 08-09-090 (Order 08-78), § 232-28-342, filed 4/18/08, effective 5/19/08. Statutory Authority: RCW 77.12.047. WSR 06-11-031 (Order 06-91), § 232-28-342, filed 5/8/06, effective 6/8/06.]

RCW 77.04.012, 77.04.020, 77.04.055, 77.12.047, 77.12.150, 77.12.240, 77.12.800, 77.32.090, and 77.32.155. WSR 16-12-087, § 232-28-342, filed 5/31/16, effective 7/1/16. Statutory Authority: RCW 77.04.012, 77.04.055, 77.12.047, 77.12.150, and 77.12.240. WSR 15-10-033 (Order 15-95), § 232-28-342, filed 4/28/15, effective 5/29/15. Statutory Authority: RCW 77.12.047, 77.12.240, and 77.32.070. WSR 14-10-019 (Order 14-95), § 232-28-342, filed 4/25/14, effective 5/26/14; WSR 13-11-078 (Order 13-94), § 232-28-342, filed 5/16/13, effective 6/16/13. Statutory Authority: RCW 77.12.047. WSR 12-11-005 (Order 12-70), § 232-28-342, filed 5/2/12, effective 6/2/12. 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), § 232-28-342, filed 4/30/10, effective 5/31/10. Statutory Authority: RCW 77.12.047, 77.12.020, 77.12.570, 77.12.210, 77.12.150, 77.12.240. WSR 09-09-083 (Order 09-53), § 232-28-342, filed 4/15/09, effective 5/16/09. Statutory Authority: RCW 77.12.047, 77.12.020, 77.12.570, 77.12.210. WSR 08-09-090 (Order 08-78), § 232-28-342, filed 4/18/08, effective 5/19/08. Statutory Authority: RCW 77.12.047. WSR 06-11-031 (Order 06-91), § 232-28-342, filed 5/8/06, effective 6/8/06.

Rules

232-12-271,232-12-044,