Hunting pamphlet requires study

The 2013 Washington state Big Game Hunting Seasons and Regulations pamphlet has been published. These regulations are effective from April 1, 2013 through March 31, 2014. Women and men expecting to hunt this fall should acquire and study it from cover to cover.

The general seasons for deer include several different dates for the various species of deer.

Black-tailed deer hunting dates include: Oct. 12 through 31 in many 400, 500 and 600 Game Management Units. A black-tailed deer is defined as "any member of black-tailed/mule deer (species Odocoileus hemionus) found west of a line drawn from the Canadian border south on the Pacific Crest Trail and along the Yakama Indian Reservation boundary in Yakima County to the Klickitat River; south down Klickitat River to the Columbia River."

Mule deer hunting dates include: Oct. 12 through 20 in many 100, 200 and 300 GMUs. Also Oct. 12 through 25 in GMUs 373, 382 and 388. A mule deer is defined as "any member of black-tailed/mule deer (species Odocoileus hemionus) found east of a line drawn from the Canadian border south on the Pacific Crest Trail and along the Yakama Indian Reservation boundary in Yakima County to the Klickitat River; south down Klickitat River to the Columbia River."

The white-tailed deer season dates include: Oct. 12 through 25 in some 100 and 300 GMUs and Oct. 12 through 20 in some 100, 200 and 300 GMUs. The differences in the season dates include the definition of a legal deer, be it any deer, any buck, a 3-point buck or a 4-point buck.

The general season is but one deer season. In addition there are late general seasons, seasons for hunters 65 and older, disabled hunters and youth hunters.

There are also seasons for individuals fond of archery and muzzleloading firearms.

The special deer permit sections are worthy of study for those who want to apply for the special permits. The permit deadline for deer, elk, mountain goat, moose, bighorn sheep and turkey is midnight May 22.

The categories of special deer permits include quality deer, buck deer, antlerless deer, second deer, youth, 65 and older, disabled hunter and master hunter. This is a bunch of categories, and many hunters will be applying for several of them.

The elk seasons are equally complicated. The modern firearm elk seasons in Eastern Washington begin as early as Aug. 1 and continue through March 31, 2014.

Some of these extreme dates are to assist Fish and Wildlife with taking care of problem elk causing damage to fences and other farming/ranching lands. The elk archery and muzzleloader seasons have similar dates.

The special elk permit categories are as interesting as the deer permits and include: Quality elk, bull elk, antlerless elk, youth, 65 and over, disabled hunter and master hunter.

In each category, hunters can choose from a few hunts to dozens of hunts. When applying, hunters can pick from two or four hunt choices per category. Most of the special hunt permit applications cost $7.10 each, but some are as much as $13.10.

Individual hunters can apply for the permits, but hunters can also apply as a group. As many as eight hunters can apply as a group for deer and elk permits, two for bear, two for goat, moose and bighorn sheep and four hunters for turkey.

Some of the permits offer only one permit per hunt category, such as many of the quality elk hunts, but others offer up to 250 permits, such as several of the antlerless elk hunts. Needless to say, each hunt category requires study.

Not mentioned yet are the fall black bear, the moose, goat and sheep hunts; all requiring study to achieve the results desired by the hunter. For example, there are eight hunts under the "any moose" category. Anyone may apply for this category, except those who have previously harvested a moose in Washington state. An individual may only harvest one moose during his or her lifetime.

However this restriction is waived for hunters who have previously harvested a moose under an antlerless-only, master hunter, raffle or auction hunt permit.

In other words, a hunter may apply for the antlerless-only moose hunt permits every year for life. But only one moose may be taken under the "any moose" category during a lifetime.

Next week: More information from the pages of the 2013 big game hunting seasons and regulations pamphlet.