Howdy,

I would suggest at least the same flashlight courtesies with owls that you would use with friends. A mega-spotlight probably wouldn't be a problem, at a great distance. An ordinary 4-"D" flashlight has sufficed for every owl that I first saw at night.

There is a regulation (36 CFR 2.2(e)) regarding spotlighting wildlife in National Park Service areas. This was intended to combat nighttime poaching, but it is broadly worded, and includes all wildlife. Specific rules for each park are set by the superintendent. So in Olympic, Mt. Rainier, & North Cascades NPs, etc., I would recommend checking with law enforcement rangers -- before they ask you about it.

There is also a regulation about "pursuing" wildlife on other Federal lands - I'll try and locate that.

Regs for the national forests/BLM/USFWS/state lands are different. I would inquire at a public contact station. That we intend no harm may not exempt us from a warning or citation, or bad PR.

Good birding!
Richard Schneider, Port Angeles
rschndr at juno.com