Subject: WDFW on motorized decoys
Date: Oct 10 09:23:28 2001
From: Li, Kevin - Kevin.Li at METROKC.GOV


FYI, I found this recent news release from the WA Dept of Fish & Wildlife.
Kevin Li
Seattle, WA
e-mail: kevin.li at metrokc.gov


Motorized waterfowl decoys banned throughout state

OLYMPIA - Washington state bird hunters preparing for this year's seasons
are reminded that all battery powered electronic waterfowl decoys are
prohibited throughout the State of Washington, including on Indian
reservation lands, according to the Washington Department of Fish and
Wildlife (WDFW).

"This is a new law and there has been some confusion and many questions
about its implementation, including the legality of using electronic decoys
on tribal lands," said Dave Ware, WDFW game division manager. "While
federally recognized Indian tribes are sovereign nations, non-tribal members
must abide by state laws while on reservation land."

Ware said any non-tribal hunters using motorized waterfowl decoys anywhere
within Washington state will be subject to fines and other penalties.

The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission voted in August to ban the use
of robotic waterfowl decoys. These include all battery-powered and other
electronic devices such as quiver magnets, spinning and flapping wing
decoys, disks, swimming type decoys and others used to attract waterfowl.
Commissioners expressed concerns about "fair chase" issues and loss of
traditional hunting skills when they voted in favor of the ban.

Other methods of creating motion in decoys are permitted, including flags,
kites, or wind-powered decoys.

The general duck, coot and snipe season runs from Oct. 6-17, then Oct. 20
through Jan. 20, 2002. More information regarding WDFW's Wildlife Program is
available at (360) 902-2515 or via e-mail at wildthing at dfw.wa.gov.