Going shooting in WA - question

eternalphoenix64 · Feb 2, 2013

So I want to go to the Larch rock pit to do some shooting and sight in a scope, I seem to recall there's some late hunting season going right now and I just wanted to see if anyone knows if I need to have a hunting license to carry and shoot. I know where I used to live (Colorado), you did. Don't wanna head up and end up with a ticket.

MarkAd · Feb 3, 2013

look up the regs on Deoartment of fish and wildlife.

eternalphoenix64 · Feb 3, 2013

I've been looking and couldn't find anything specific to recreational shooting and I'm currently waiting on a reply from WDFW. Just trying to find out for sure before I go

HuckFin · Feb 3, 2013

I target shoot all the time during hunting season with no hunting license. So do all my friends and relatives. No ones ever said anything to me about it, including the park ranger up here where I live.

MarkAd · Feb 3, 2013

Is Larch Pit in a hunting area? If it is not there should be no issues

eternalphoenix64 · Feb 3, 2013

I'm pretty sure if it isn't, it's pretty close. Better to err on the side of caution in my book. I've been placed in cuffs due to misunderstanding before. No charges once they finally got around to questioning me, but I'd rather not repeat the experience. Sitting in the back of a squad car with cuffs on behind you SUCKS and hurts.

hermannr · Feb 3, 2013

eternalphoenix64 said:
I'm pretty sure if it isn't, it's pretty close. Better to err on the side of caution in my book. I've been placed in cuffs due to misunderstanding before. No charges once they finally got around to questioning me, but I'd rather not repeat the experience. Sitting in the back of a squad car with cuffs on behind you SUCKS and hurts.

And you didn't sue them under civil rights law 1983? The way you stop LE from stepping on people's rights is to make it cost them/

hermannr · Feb 3, 2013

eternalphoenix64 said:
So I want to go to the Larch rock pit to do some shooting and sight in a scope, I seem to recall there's some late hunting season going right now and I just wanted to see if anyone knows if I need to have a hunting license to carry and shoot. I know where I used to live (Colorado), you did. Don't wanna head up and end up with a ticket.

Is there soemthing I need to know. F&W law is in RCW 77..read it. I do not know how they could charge you, but read RCW 77 to be sure.

BAMCIS · Feb 4, 2013

I don't think you will have any problem no matter if hunting season is open or not. Take a look at this:

A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed

After reading this it seems pretty clear to me.

mjbskwim · Feb 4, 2013

Well if it's deer season and you are running about the woods without a license they may question you,but now,with it only being coyote season,I don't think they care.
And I don't see them caring unless you are looking like you are hunting and not sport shooting. You know, like glassing a clear cut?

eternalphoenix64 · Feb 4, 2013

Just got my reply from WDFW and they confirmed that I don't need a license for recreational shooting, but they might come and ask me if they hear me just to be certain.

Muddslinger12 · Feb 4, 2013

Good info was always curious bout this too. Also keep in mind the "department of natural resources" manages Larch. (last i checked anyway been a few years so may have changed)

Also dont forget if you collect 3 bags of trash while your up there and snap a pic (dont forget your screen name on cardboard or paper in the pic with the date to "authenticate" it) You get a FREE Bronze membership!

mancat · Feb 4, 2013

Huh, that's cool. I almost always make it out with a few bags of trash at the usual pits I go to. Though last time, that got cut short when I accidentally put my hand into a pile of human crap that was next to a bottle. Fortunately I was wearing cheap work gloves, which then also went into the bag.