HOOK AND FUR By Bob Brown Earlier this month, the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission approved a measure allowing people to salvage deer or elk killed in motor-vehicle accidents, but only under certain circumstances. This was not previously allowed under state law. The new rule will not take until July, in order to give the Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) time to develop the administrative procedures necessary to implement the new rule. Provisions of the new rule include: " It is permissible to salvage and transport a deer or elk that is accidentally killed by a motor vehicle collision, except for any deer killed by a motor vehicle in Clark, Cowlitz and Wahkiakum counties. Those counties were excluded to prevent conflicts with laws regarding the area's Columbia white-tailed deer population, which is listed as endangered under the federal Endangered Species Act. " A salvage permit must be obtained from the department within 24 hours of taking possession of the animal. Permits may be obtained on the WDFW website or at department regional offices. " Big-game licenses and tags cannot be used for the purpose of salvaging motor vehicle killed deer or elk. " The entire carcass, including entrails of the animal, must be removed from the road right of way. " Any meat an individual deems unfit for human consumption or unusable must be disposed of pursuant to state law (WAC 246-203-121). Individuals salvaging and consuming this meat do so at their own risk. The department makes no guarantee as to the fitness for consumption of deer or elk collected under a salvage permit. " An individual may not kill an injured or wounded animal they encounter for the purpose of salvage. Only a law enforcement officer or individuals or entities authorized by the department may euthanize an animal injured in a motor vehicle collision and that deer or elk may be taken for salvage. In other, unrelated commission actions, the citizen panel agreed to set a 10GÇôgallon limit on the amount of bait hunters can use to attract deer and elk at any one time. The new rule, approved by a vote of 7-1, also prohibits establishing bait piles GÇô usually apples, grain or minerals GÇô closer than 200 yards apart. Scents and attractants used by hunters are exempt from the new baiting restrictions. Commission chairman Brad Smith said public meetings and opinion polls conducted by WDFW over the past year showed a diversity of opinions among hunters on the issue of baiting. "This measure is not designed to prohibit the use of bait when hunting deer or elk, but rather to curb its excesses," Smith said. "Many believe baiting is a legitimate strategy in certain types of hunting situations, including those for youths, seniors and disabled hunters.GÇ¥ The commission also reduced the number of hunting days for white-tailed deer in northeastern Washington. Last year, the commission expanded that hunt for youth, seniors and disabled hunters from four days to 14 days, but reversed its decision in response to the outbreak of bluetongue disease in the area's deer herd. Several options for the cougar-hunting season were also considered, but the commission unanimously voted to adopt hunting guidelines similar to those currently in effect.
Bob Brown lives in Roy and is a freelance outdoors writer. He can be reached at robertb1285@centurylink.net.
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