Section 232-36-055. Disposal of wildlife killed for personal safety or for causing private property damage.

The fish and wildlife commission is authorized pursuant to RCW 77.36.030, to establish the limitations and conditions on disposal of wildlife killed or trapped because they were threatening human safety or causing property damage.

Except as specifically provided in a permit from the department or a rule of the commission, people taking wildlife under this title are subject to the laws and rules of the state including, but not limited to, those found in Titles 77 RCW and 220 and 232 WAC. Wildlife taken under this chapter remains the property of the state and may be disposed of in the manner and under the conditions that follow:

(1) Wildlife killed subsequent to a permit provided by the department shall be possessed or disposed of in accordance with permit provisions and consistent with RCW 77.15.170.

(2) Except as otherwise provided, all parts of wildlife killed in protection of private property without a permit authorized by the department must be lawfully disposed of as specified by the department or as otherwise provided in statute, rule, or local ordinance.

(3) Except as otherwise provided, big game animals or parts of big game animals killed in protection of private property without a permit must be reported to the department within twenty-four hours.

(4) Disposal methods: Unless otherwise specified in permits issued by the department:

(a) The person killing wildlife, or their designee, is responsible for disposal of killed wildlife and must dispose of the animal, within twenty-four hours or as soon as feasible, in a manner so as not to become a public or common nuisance or cause pollution of surface or groundwater.

(b) The person responsible for disposal of dead wildlife must dispose of it by burial, landfilling, incineration, composting, rendering, or another method approved (such as natural decomposition) that is not otherwise prohibited by federal, state, or local law or regulation.

(c) A person disposing of dead wildlife by burial must place it so that every part is covered by at least three feet of soil; at a location not less than one hundred feet from any well, spring, stream or other surface waters; not in a low-lying area subject to seasonal flooding; and not in a manner likely to contaminate groundwater.

(d) A person disposing of a dead animal must not bury or compost it within the sanitary control area of a public drinking water supply source.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 77.04.012, 77.04.020, 77.04.055, 77.12.047, 77.12.240, 77.12.320, 77.12.150, 77.15.245, and chapter 77.36 RCW. WSR 16-04-066 (Order 16-18), § 232-36-055, filed 1/28/16, effective 2/28/16. Statutory Authority: RCW 77.04.012, 77.04.020, and 77.04.055. WSR 10-13-182 (Order 10-156), § 232-36-055, filed 6/23/10, effective 7/24/10.]

RCW 77.04.012, 77.04.020, 77.04.055, 77.12.047, 77.12.240, 77.12.320, 77.12.150, 77.15.245, and chapter 77.36 RCW. WSR 16-04-066 (Order 16-18), § 232-36-055, filed 1/28/16, effective 2/28/16. Statutory Authority: RCW 77.04.012, 77.04.020, and 77.04.055. WSR 10-13-182 (Order 10-156), § 232-36-055, filed 6/23/10, effective 7/24/10.