WAC 232-28-272   2006-2007, 2007-2008, and 2008-2009 Black bear and cougar hunting seasons and regulations.  


2006-2008 Fall Black Bear Seasons:


Black Bear Management Unit Season Hunt Area
Coastal Aug. 1 - Nov. 15 GMUs 501, 504, 506, 530, 601, 602, 603, 607-621, 636-651, 658-663, 672-684
Puget Sound Aug. 1 - Nov. 15 GMUs 407, 410, 454, 624, 627, 633, 652, 666, 667
North Cascades Aug. 1 - Nov. 15 GMUs 418-450, 460
South Cascades Aug. 1 - Nov. 15 GMUs 466, 485, 503, 505, 510-520, 524, 550-574, 653, 654
Okanogan Aug. 1 - Nov. 15 GMUs 203, 209-243
East Cascades Aug. 1 - Nov. 15 GMUs 244-247, 249-251, 328, 329-368, 382, 388, 578
Northeastern A Sept. 5 - Nov. 15, 2006

Sept. 4 - Nov. 15, 2007

Sept. 2 - Nov. 15, 2008		 GMUs 101-117
Northeastern B Aug. 1 - Nov. 15 GMUs 121-130, 204
Blue Mountains Sept. 5 - Nov. 15, 2006

Sept. 4 - Nov. 15, 2007

Sept. 2 - Nov. 15, 2008		 GMUs 145-154, 162-186
Columbia Basin Aug. 1 - Nov. 15 GMUs 133, 136, 139, 142, 248, 254, 260-290, 371-381
Long Island Sept. 5 - Nov. 15, 2006

Sept. 4 - Nov. 15, 2007

Sept. 2 - Nov. 15, 2008		 GMU 699



Bag Limit: Two (2) black bear per annual hunting season only one of which may be taken in Eastern Washington.


Area Restriction: Special deer permit required to hunt black bear in GMU 485.


Requirements for Fall Black Bear Seasons:


License Required: A valid big game hunting license, which includes black bear as a species option, is required to hunt black bear. One black bear transport tag is included with a big game hunting license that has black bear as a species option. A second black bear transport tag must be purchased to take a second bear.


Hunting Method: Hunters may use any lawful big game modern firearm, archery, or muzzleloader equipment for hunting black bear. The use of hounds and bait to hunt black bear is prohibited statewide.


Submitting Bear Teeth: Successful bear hunters must submit the black bear premolar tooth located behind the canine tooth of the upper jaw.


2006-2007, 2007-2008, and 2008-2009 Cougar Seasons:


Unit Season Hunt Area Special Restrictions
Coastal Aug. 1 - Mar. 15 GMUs 501, 504, 506, 530, 601-621, 636-651, 658-663, 672-684, 699 Any legal weapon
Puget Sound Aug. 1 - Mar. 15 GMUs 407, 410, 454, 624-633, 652, 666 Any legal weapon
North

Cascades		 Aug. 1 - Mar. 15 GMUs 418, 426, 437, 448, 450, 460, 466, 485 Any legal weapon
South

Cascades		 Aug. 1 - Mar. 15 GMUs 503, 505, 510-520, 524, 550-574, 653, 654, 667 Any legal weapon
East

Cascades

North A		 Aug. 1 - Mar. 15 GMUs 328, 329, 334-340 Any legal weapon
East

Cascades

North B		 Oct. 14 - Nov. 19, 2006

Oct. 13 - Nov. 19, 2007

Oct. 11 - Nov. 19, 2008		 GMUs 203, 209-247, 249-251 within Chelan or Okanogan counties Any legal weapon
East

Cascades

North C		 Sept. 1 - Nov. 30 GMUs 203, 209-247, 249-251 within Chelan or Okanogan counties Archery deer or elk hunters and muzzleloader deer or elk hunters who possess a valid big game license that includes cougar as a species option may hunt for cougar without the aid of dogs during their respective deer or elk seasons and must use equipment consistent with their deer or elk tag.
East Cascades

South A		 Aug. 1 - Mar. 15 GMUs 342-368 Any legal weapon
East Cascades

South B		 Oct. 11 - Nov. 19, 2008 GMUs 382, 388, 578 within Klickitat County Any legal weapon
East Cascades

South C		 Sept. 1 - Nov. 30 GMUs 382, 388, 578 within Klickitat County Archery deer or elk hunters and muzzleloader deer or elk hunters who possess a valid big game license that includes cougar as a species option may hunt for cougar without the aid of dogs during their respective deer or elk seasons and must use equipment consistent with their deer or elk tag.
Northeastern A Aug. 1 - Mar. 15 GMUs 124-133 Any legal weapon
Northeastern B Oct. 14 - Nov. 19, 2006

Oct. 13 - Nov. 19, 2007

Oct. 11 - Nov. 19, 2008		 GMUs 101-121 within Ferry, Stevens, or Pend Oreille counties, 204 Any legal weapon
Northeastern C Sept. 1 - Nov. 30 GMUs 101-121 within Ferry, Stevens, or Pend Oreille counties, 204 Archery deer or elk hunters and muzzleloader deer or elk hunters who possess a valid big game license that includes cougar as a species option may hunt for cougar without the aid of dogs during their respective deer or elk seasons and must use equipment consistent with their deer or elk tag.
Blue

Mountains		 Aug. 1 - Mar. 15 GMUs 145-154, 162-186 Any legal weapon
Columbia

Basin		 Aug. 1 - Mar. 15 GMUs 136-142, 248, 254-290, 330, 371-381 Any legal weapon



Requirements for Cougar Seasons:


License Required: A valid big game hunting license which includes cougar as a species option is required to hunt cougar.


Bag Limit: Two (2) cougar per license year excluding public safety cougar removals. It is unlawful to kill or possess spotted cougar kittens or adult cougars accompanied by spotted kittens.


Area Restriction: Special deer permit required to hunt cougar in GMU 485.


Tag Information: One cougar transport tag is included with a big game license that has cougar as a species option. A second cougar transport tag must be purchased to take a second cougar.


Hunting Method: Hunters may use any lawful big game modern firearm, archery, or muzzleloader equipment for hunting cougar. The use of hounds to hunt cougar is prohibited except by a public safety cougar removal permit (WAC 232-12-243) or commission authorized hound permit (WAC 232-28-285).


Cougar Pelt Sealing: Any person who takes a cougar must comply with the sealing requirements in WAC 232-12-024.



[Statutory Authority: RCW 77.12.047, 77.12.040, 77.12.020, 77.12.570, 77.12.210. 08-17-034 (Order 08-197), § 232-28-272, filed 8/13/08, effective 9/13/08. Statutory Authority: RCW 77.12.047. 06-11-032 (Order 06-92), § 232-28-272, filed 5/8/06, effective 6/8/06; 04-21-036 (Order 04-284), § 232-28-272, filed 10/14/04, effective 11/14/04. Statutory Authority: RCW 77.12.047 and 77.12.020. 04-11-036 (Order 04-98), § 232-28-272, filed 5/12/04, effective 6/12/04. Statutory Authority: RCW 77.12.047. 03-13-047 (Order 03-129), § 232-28-272, filed 6/12/03, effective 7/13/03; 01-20-011 (Order 01-198), § 232-28-272, filed 9/20/01, effective 10/21/01. Statutory Authority: RCW 77.12.040, 77.12.020, 77.32.070, 77.32.530. 01-10-048 (Order 01-69), § 232-28-272, filed 4/26/01, effective 5/27/01. Statutory Authority: RCW 77.12.047. 00-21-038 (Order 00-215), § 232-28-272, filed 10/12/00, effective 11/12/00. Statutory Authority: RCW 77.12.040, 77.12.010, 77.12.020, 77.12.770, 77.12.780. 00-11-137 (Order 00-50), § 232-28-272, filed 5/23/00, effective 6/23/00. Statutory Authority: RCW 77.12.040. 99-01-138 (Order 98-249), § 232-28-272, filed 12/22/98, effective 1/22/99; 98-10-008 (Order 98-57), § 232-28-272, filed 4/22/98, effective 5/23/98.]