Section 232-28-358. 2015-2017 Elk general seasons and definitions.

It is unlawful to fail to comply with bag, possession, and season limits described below. A violation of this section is punishable under RCW 77.15.410 Unlawful hunting of big game—Penalty.

Bag Limit: One (1) elk per hunter during the license year, except where otherwise permitted by department rule. Any combination of seasons, tags, and permits set by the department will not exceed a maximum of two (2) elk per hunter during the license year.

Hunting Method: Elk hunters must select only one of the hunting methods: Modern firearm, archery, or muzzleloader.

Elk Tag Areas: Elk hunters must choose either Eastern or Western Washington to hunt in and buy the appropriate tag for that area.

Any Bull Elk Seasons: Open only to the taking of elk with visible antlers; bull calves are illegal.

Antler Point: To qualify as an antler point, the point must be at least one inch long, measured on the longest side.

Branch: A branch is defined as any projection off the main antler beam that is at least one inch long, measured on the longest side, and longer than it is wide.

Spike Bull Antler Restrictions: Bull elk taken in spike-only game management units (GMUs) must have at least one antler with no branches originating more than 4 inches above where the antler attaches to the skull.

Spike-only GMUs: 145-154, 162-186, 249, and 336-368.

True Spike - Bull Antler Restrictions: Neither antler of bull elk taken in GMUs 251, and 328-335 can have branching originating more than 4 inches above where the antlers attach to the skull. Under the true-spike restriction, taking an elk that has two points on one side or antler points within one inch of the definitions regarding length of point, or point of origination, is an infraction under RCW 77.15.160. All other types of violations of the true-spike restriction are subject to current penalties and assessments under RCW 77.15.410 and 77.15.420.

True-spike GMUs: 251, 328-335.

3-point Antler Restrictions: Legal bull elk must have at least 3 antler points on one side, with at least 2 antler points above the ear. Eye guards are antler points when they are at least one inch long. Antler restrictions apply to all hunters during any open season.

3-point GMUs: All of Western Washington, except for GMUs 448, 454, 564, 652 for archers, 666, 684, and Elk Area 4941.

Permit-only Units: The following GMUs are closed to elk hunting during general elk seasons: 157, 371, 418, 485, 522, 556, 621, 636, and 653.

GMUs Closed to Elk Hunting: 437 (except for Elk Area 4941) and 490.

Areas with Special Restrictions: There are modern firearm restrictions in GMU 334 and portions of GMU 660. GMU 554 is open only for early archery and muzzleloader seasons. Elk Area 6064 in GMU 638 (Quinault) is open to master hunters only.

Elk Tag Areas

Eastern Washington: All 100, 200, and 300 GMUs.

EA - Eastern Washington Archery Tag

EF - Eastern Washington Modern Firearm General Elk Tag

EM - Eastern Washington Muzzleloader Tag

Western Washington: All 400, 500, and 600 GMUs.

WA - Western Washington Archery Tag

WF - Western Washington Modern Firearm General Elk Tag

WM - Western Washington Muzzleloader Tag

Modern Firearm General Elk Seasons

License Required: A valid big game hunting license with an elk tag option.

Tag Required: A valid modern firearm elk tag as listed below for the area hunted.

Hunting Method: May use modern firearm, bow and arrow, crossbow, or muzzleloader, but only during modern firearm seasons.

Archery General Elk Seasons

License Required: A valid big game hunting license with an elk tag option.

Tag Required: A valid archery elk tag as listed below for the area hunted.

Hunting Method: Bow and arrow only, as defined under WAC 232-12-054.

Special Notes: Archery tag holders can hunt only during archery seasons and must hunt with archery equipment (WAC 232-12-054). Archery elk hunters may apply for special bull permits. Please see permit table for tag eligibility for all elk permits.

Muzzleloader General Elk Seasons

License Required: A valid big game hunting license with an elk tag option.

Tag Required: A valid muzzleloader elk tag as listed below for the area hunted.

Hunting Method: Muzzleloader, as defined under WAC 232-12-051, or bow and arrow, as defined under WAC 232-12-054.

Special Notes: Muzzleloader tag holders can only hunt during the muzzleloader seasons. Only hunters with tags identified in the Special Elk Permits tables may apply for special elk permits.

[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, § 232-28-358, 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 15-10-059 (Order 15-98), § 232-28-358, filed 4/30/15, effective 5/31/15. Statutory Authority: RCW 77.12.047, 77.12.240, and 77.32.070. WSR 14-10-019 (Order 14-95), § 232-28-358, filed 4/25/14, effective 5/26/14; WSR 13-11-078 (Order 13-94), § 232-28-358, filed 5/16/13, effective 6/16/13. Statutory Authority: RCW 77.12.047. WSR 12-11-005 (Order 12-70), § 232-28-358, filed 5/2/12, effective 6/2/12.]

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, § 232-28-358, 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 15-10-059 (Order 15-98), § 232-28-358, filed 4/30/15, effective 5/31/15. Statutory Authority: RCW 77.12.047, 77.12.240, and 77.32.070. WSR 14-10-019 (Order 14-95), § 232-28-358, filed 4/25/14, effective 5/26/14; WSR 13-11-078 (Order 13-94), § 232-28-358, filed 5/16/13, effective 6/16/13. Statutory Authority: RCW 77.12.047. WSR 12-11-005 (Order 12-70), § 232-28-358, filed 5/2/12, effective 6/2/12.

Rules

232-12-054,232-12-054,232-12-051,232-12-054,