Washington Administrative Code

The commission is authorized, pursuant to RCW 77.36.030, to establish the limitations and conditions on killing or trapping wildlife that is causing damage on private property. The department may authorize, pursuant to RCW 77.12.240 the killing of wildlife destroying or injuring …

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 t…

For purposes of training individuals to assist landowners with employing nonlethal management techniques, or to harass, kill, trap, release, wildlife that is causing damage to private property, the director or his/her designee may certify wildlife control operators (WCOs).(1) To …

The director or director's designee may issue permits to persons that fulfill the requirements to become a certified wildlife control operator (WCO) for purposes of assisting property owners in managing animals causing damage to private property. Only persons meeting the WCO cert…

All wildlife control operators (WCOs) must report all WCO related activity, regardless of trapping success or whether they trapped or not for the previous year on or before April 20th of each year.(1) Reports must be made using the department's designated WCO annual report form o…

Pursuant to this section the department shall establish guidelines for assisting landowners with minimizing big game damage to private property. Nothing in this section shall be construed to require the department to seek landowners that may be experiencing damage. It is incumben…

Owners, who have worked with the department to prevent deer and elk damage, but continue to experience commercial crop losses, may be eligible to file a damage claim and receive cash compensation from money appropriated by the legislature.Eligibility:Damages payable under this se…

The department shall develop claim procedures and application forms consistent with this section for cash compensation for commercial crop damage.Filing a claim:(1) Claimants who have met the requirements of WAC 220-440-140, yet still experience commercial crop loss, may file a c…

Several methods may be used to determine the extent of a crop damaged by deer and elk and the lost value of the commercial crop resulting from the damage. Assessment methods used by qualified crop adjustors under WAC 220-440-150 will be considered by the department. Evaluation of…

Commercial livestock owners who have worked with the department to prevent depredation but continue to experience losses, or who experience unforeseen losses, may be eligible to file a damage claim and receive cash compensation.(1) Eligibility. Damages payable under this section …

Pursuant to this section, the department may distribute money specifically appropriated by the legislature or other funding entity to pay commercial livestock or working dog losses caused by wild bear, cougar, or wolves up to the amount set forth in RCW 77.36.130. The department …

"Public hunting" generally means that land is open for licensed hunters. The intent of this provision is to allow hunting at an appropriate time, manner, and level to help prevent property damage.As specified in WAC 220-440-140, cash compensation for crop damage claims will only …

(1) A landowner may enter into a damage prevention cooperative agreement (contract) with WDFW. The landowner may receive a damage prevention permit, if deemed necessary by the department. Hunts conducted pursuant to a damage prevention permit must adhere to the special seasons pr…

(1) Purpose. The purpose of the black bear timber damage permit is to reduce damage to commercial timber caused by black bears peeling and consuming tree parts resulting in permanent damage or death to the tree. Only the owner of private commercial timber, or their designee may a…

This section applies to any person participating in a director-authorized bear or cougar depredation permit hunt for domestic animal or livestock loss pursuant to RCW 77.12.240 or 77.15.245:(1) Black bear and cougar removal criteria:(a) A landowner or the landowner's designee may…

For claims where the owner has met all claim eligibility criteria and procedures, but ultimately rejects the written settlement offer (order) for crop or livestock loss and/or value assessment, the provisions of this section shall apply:Informal resolution:(1) If the owner reject…

(1) The unlawful trapping, killing, or possession of wildlife is punishable under Title 77 RCW including, but not limited to, the following:(a) RCW 77.15.120 for endangered wildlife;(b) RCW 77.15.130 for protected wildlife;(c) RCW 77.15.140 for unclassified wildlife;(d) RCW 77.15…

(1) Failure to abide by the conditions of permits is a misdemeanor pursuant to RCW 77.15.750.(2) Failure to provide reports or comply with the conditions of landowner agreements is an infraction pursuant to RCW 77.15.160.(3) Failure to comply with the conditions of wildlife contr…

(1) Except as provided in subsection (3) of this section, it is an infraction under RCW 77.15.160 (11)(b) to place, deposit, distribute, or scatter feed including, but not limited to, grain, hay, minerals, salt, fruit, or other such substances or food types to feed, lure or attra…

(1) Release by persons other than the director. It is unlawful for persons other than the director to plant aquatic plants or release any species, subspecies, or hybrids of animals which do not already exist in the wild in Washington. If such species, subspecies, or hybrid does a…

A permit issued hereunder may be revoked, modified or suspended by the director. Cause for revocation or suspension shall include, but not be limited to, failure to provide adequate holding facilities and equipment or the failure to provide adequate care, feed or maintenance of w…

(1) It is unlawful to take live wildlife, wild birds, or game fish from the wild without a permit issued by the director except as otherwise provided by department rule. This subsection does not apply to starlings, house sparrows, Eurasian collared doves, and rock doves taken by …

(1) Secure facility:(a) All captive wildlife held under a department issued permit must be held in a secure facility. For the purposes of this rule, a secure facility is an enclosure constructed to prevent danger to the environment or wildlife of the state, including escape of li…

(1) It is unlawful for publicly owned zoos or aquariums who lawfully acquired fish, shellfish, wildlife or the nests of birds under WAC 220-200-150 or 220-450-030 to offer for sale or sell such animals or nests or the progeny of such animals except outside the state or except wit…

For the purposes of WAC 220-450-070 through 220-450-220, the following definitions apply:(1) "Alcid" means a bird of the family Alcidae. The alcid family includes murres, guillemots, auklets, puffins, and murrelets.(2) "Daily ledger" means a record, kept current daily and availab…

(1) Purpose. The purpose of the wildlife rehabilitation permit is to ensure that humane care and treatment is provided for wildlife in rehabilitation including all aspects of animal welfare as stated in, but not limited to, the most current edition of the National Wildlife Rehabi…

(1) Primary permittees and subpermittees are responsible for abiding by all permit terms and conditions, reporting and record requirements, and compliance with state and federal regulations when conducting wildlife rehabilitation or actions associated with wildlife rehabilitation…

(1) The department may modify, suspend, or revoke a wildlife rehabilitation permit if the primary permittee or a subpermittee violates any department rule related to wildlife possession, wildlife rehabilitation, wildlife trafficking, or permit conditions. Other violations include…

(1) The facility requirements listed in this section address wildlife health and safety. The department of labor and industries and other local, state, or federal agencies may have additional requirements relating to human health and safety. It is the permittee's responsibility t…

(1) Rehabilitated wildlife must be released as soon as the animal is deemed physically, behaviorally, and psychologically fit and conforming to the species natural history to increase successful reintegration into the wild.(2) It is unlawful to hold wildlife for rehabilitation lo…

(1) Veterinarians may euthanize wildlife or provide stabilization without a wildlife rehabilitation permit. Veterinarians must arrange to transfer the wildlife to a primary permittee within forty-eight hours of receiving wildlife. Veterinarians must separate wildlife from domesti…

(1) This section contains records retention and reporting requirements for primary permittees on wildlife rehabilitation permits. Other state and federal laws and regulations may require additional records retention and reporting. Required records include daily ledger, patient re…

(1) A wildlife rehabilitator may utilize a department permitted three-year general or master falconer only for prerelease conditioning for release. Falconers may not practice wildlife rehabilitation without a wildlife rehabilitation permit. Falconers may not rehabilitate hatchlin…

(1) A primary permittee may import wildlife into Washington state for wildlife rehabilitation purposes if it is legal to import that species and the primary permittee possesses a certificate of veterinary inspection from an accredited veterinarian licensed in the state of origin …

(1) A primary permittee may receive and possess dead wildlife from the department for the purpose of feeding wildlife in rehabilitation.(2) Feather possession.(a) A primary permittee may possess bird feathers for imping.(b) Primary permittees may receive or exchange feathers of b…

(1) A primary permittee may retain live, nonreleasable wildlife for the purposes of:(a) Orphan imprinting, socialization, and appropriate wild behavior retention and development, if the permittee possesses valid U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) permits and written authoriza…

Euthanasia must be provided in accordance with an animal's welfare, using humane techniques and at a reasonable time after admission to prevent unnecessary suffering of the animal. Permittees must follow the most current American Veterinary Medical Association Guidelines on Eutha…

(1) Wildlife carcasses (except for those that are oiled) must be incinerated, buried, or otherwise destroyed, according to local laws and regulations to avoid the risk of poisoning wildlife, a primary permittee must not allow chemically euthanized wildlife to be scavenged.(a) Wil…

(1) It is unlawful to sell, offer for sale, purchase, or use for commercial purposes wildlife or parts of wildlife under any circumstances under a wildlife rehabilitation permit.(2) Consistent with all existing wildlife rehabilitation rules, and the rest of this section, the prim…

Purpose(1) Wildlife is property of the state, and as such it is unlawful to keep wildlife captive, feed wildlife, or relocate wildlife without expressed permission from the Washington department of fish and wildlife. The purpose of the beaver relocation permit is to grant the per…

For the purposes of this chapter, the following definitions apply:(1) Commercial whale watching."Commercial whale watching" shall be defined as the act of taking, or offering to take, passengers aboard a motorized or sailing vessel to view marine mammals in their natural habitat …

(1) License requirements.(a) A commercial whale watching business license is required for commercial whale watching businesses as defined in this chapter.(b) A paddle tour business license is required for paddle tour businesses as defined in this chapter.(c) A commercial whale wa…

(1) In order to qualify for a fee waiver, an organization's relevant commercial whale watching or marine paddle tour activities must be solely for bona fide nonprofit educational purposes.(2) In order to receive a fee waiver, the organization must submit documentation to the depa…

(1) Upon lawful application, a commercial whale watching license or paddle tour license in the form of a license card or certificate will be issued by the department.(2) The fee to replace a license card that has been lost or destroyed is $20.[Statutory Authority: RCW 77.04.012, …

(1) Any person that holds a commercial whale watching business license or paddle tour business license may designate other persons associated with the business to act on behalf of the license holder to update the business information within the organization's account.(2) A commer…

(1) RCW 77.65.615 requires commercial whale watching businesses to designate the motorized vessel(s) that will be used for commercial whale watching. It is unlawful to engage in commercial whale watching activities unless:(a) The licensee has designated all commercial whale watch…

The holder of a commercial whale watching business license may designate an additional vessel on the license within the calendar year if the license holder submits to the department an application that identifies the vessel proposed to be designated and any other information requ…

(1) A person may operate a motorized or sailing vessel engaging in commercial whale watching only if:(a) The person holds a valid commercial whale watching operator license issued from the department;(b) The vessel is designated in a valid commercial whale watching business licen…

Commercial whale watching and paddle tour licenses expire at midnight on December 31st of the calendar year for which they are issued. Licenses may be renewed annually upon application and payment of the prescribed license fees.[Statutory Authority: RCW 77.04.012, 77.04.055, 77.1…

(1) It is unlawful for a commercial whale watching operator or paddle guide to violate any of the restrictions in RCW 77.15.740.(2) Licenses issued by the department under this chapter are not an exemption under RCW 77.15.740 (2)(c).(3) The rules and requirements outlined in this…