Hunt-reporting system delayed until mid-month

OLYMPIA - Hunters will not be able to report harvesting an animal to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) until later this month, the department announced today.

Deployment of the new automated harvest-reporting tool, originally scheduled for Oct. 1, has been delayed while contractors finish integrating that function with the department's new licensing system, said Frank Hawley, WDFW licensing manager.

Neither the online harvest-reporting system nor the automated phone line are currently up and running, he said.

"Hunters won't miss out on special permit drawings or other incentive programs for early reporting if they wait for the reporting function to come online," Hawley said. "As soon as the new reporting component is ready for action, we'll announce it."

Normally, hunters who report harvesting an animal within 10 days - and unsuccessful hunters who report by Jan. 10 - are eligible for a drawing for one of nine special deer or elk permits. This year, the 10-day period won't start until the new reporting function is operational, Hawley said.

All hunters must still, however, report their hunting activity for deer, elk, bear and turkey by Jan. 31 to avoid a $10 fine.

The new harvest-reporting system is part of a new automated licensing system developed for WDFW by Outdoor Central, a subsidiary of Central Trust Bank of Jefferson City, Mo.