Section 232-30-250. Provisions for accidental take by falconers.

(1) When a raptor being used in falconry accidentally takes any species of wildlife (quarry) for which the hunting season is not currently open, the falconer must release the quarry if it is not seriously injured. If the quarry has been seriously injured or killed, the falconer may not retain or possess the quarry, but the raptor may feed upon the quarry before leaving the site of the kill.

(2) If the accidentally killed quarry is a species identified on the Washington candidate species list (for endangered, threatened, or sensitive status) or is a federally or state endangered or threatened species, or specifically identified by the director, the falconer shall, before leaving the site of the kill, record upon a form provided by the department, or upon a facsimile, the falconer's name, falconry permit number, date, species and sex (if known) of the quarry, and exact location of the kill. The falconer shall submit the information to the department by April 1st following the close of the current hunting season or within ten days of the kill if not during a hunting season. A falconer must also report take of any federally threatened or endangered listed species to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

(3) Accidental kill by any falconer in any license year shall not exceed a total of five individuals of any combination of species designated under subsection (2) of this section. Following an accidental kill by any falconer of any species designated under subsection (2) of this section, the falconer shall cease hunting for the day.

(4) Falconers must ensure that their activities do not cause the take of federally or state listed threatened or endangered wildlife, for example, by avoiding flying a raptor in the vicinity of the listed species. Notwithstanding any other section of this rule, take of species designated as endangered, threatened, or sensitive in Washington under WAC 232-12-011 or 232-12-014 is not permitted except by permit from the director.

(5) Violation of this section is an infraction, punishable under RCW 77.15.160.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 77.04.012, 77.04.020, 77.04.055, 77.12.047, 77.12.210, and C.F.R. Title 50, Part 21, Subpart C, Section 21.29; Migratory Bird Treaty Act. WSR 10-18-012 (Order 10-214), § 232-30-250, filed 8/20/10, effective 9/20/10.]

RCW 77.04.012, 77.04.020, 77.04.055, 77.12.047, 77.12.210, and C.F.R. Title 50, Part 21, Subpart C, Section 21.29; Migratory Bird Treaty Act. WSR 10-18-012 (Order 10-214), § 232-30-250, filed 8/20/10, effective 9/20/10.

Rules

232-12-011,232-12-014,