The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission adopted new 2019-20 hunting season regulations including changes for the 2019 elk hunt. Key changes include:
- Expand a requirement across western Washington that has successful hunters leave elk hoofs in place to prevent the spread of hoof disease.
- Eliminate minimum arrow weight restrictions.
- Reduced the number of antlerless elk permits available in southeast Washington.
- Eliminate this season’s antlerless white-tailed deer hunts to conserve deer populations in northeast Washington.
- Let turkey hunters forgo hunter orange requirements when hunting outside of modern firearm and elk seasons.
In addition, the commission approved a land transaction involving the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, in partnership with the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and Forterra, to acquire approximately 3,555 acres of shrub-steppe, oak woodland, and over 6 miles of instream habitat supporting steelhead and bull trout recovery in Yakima County.
(Photo source: Simona Barragan)