Commission decides on 2022-2023 hunting season setting and land transactions at April meeting

OLYMPIA – The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission made decisions on 2022-2023 hunting seasons and land transactions and heard briefings on pinto abalone and the annual wolf report at its April meeting.

The Commission approved a land transaction for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) to acquire a 94-acre property of riparian and floodplain habitat along the Chehalis River.

The Commission approved most of the Department's proposed recommendations for hunting seasons including landowner hunting permits, a variety of big game general seasons and special permits, migratory waterfowl seasons and regulations, hunting equipment rule changes, and importation requirements for wildlife harvested from out of state due to chronic wasting disease.

The Commission amended a rule related to muzzleloading firearms that clarifies how they are loaded and adopted a rule that allows verifiers for peep sites on archery equipment.

The Commission did not adopt a rule proposal to allow the use of crossbows during muzzleloader season.

The Commission heard briefings from WDFW staff regarding the Department's pinto abalone recovery plan, chronic wasting disease management plan, wolf livestock deterrence rule making, the annual wolf report, pound nets on the Columbia River and implementation of the Commission’s Anadromous Salmon and Steelhead Hatchery Policy.

The Commission on Friday unanimously authorized greater flexibility for WDFW Director Kelly Susewind to negotiate this year’s coho salmon seasons in accordance with the Commission’s Grays Harbor Basin Salmon Management Policy and waive a provision in the policy’s adaptive management section for 2022 that would otherwise limit opportunity given the strong forecasted coho run size.

This Commission meeting was recorded so members of the public who missed it can watch at their convenience. To see information about past and future Commission meetings, as well as ways to participate, please visit WDFW’s website.

The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission is a panel appointed by the governor that sets policy for the WDFW. WDFW works to preserve, protect and perpetuate fish, wildlife and ecosystems while providing sustainable fish and wildlife recreational and commercial opportunities.