Washington State is widely regarded as a Pacific Northwest haven, and part of that well-deserved reputation comes from the many parts of the state that are untouched and still dominated by natural landscapes and wildlife. However, one of the primary reasons Washington State enjoys this pristine natural condition is that the state government has taken the time and effort to implement laws to protect the environment and the organisms within it.
While effective and well-intentioned, these laws are numerous and potentially surprising in terms of legal interpretation for average residents. When it comes to protecting fish, wildlife, and the natural environment, it’s very common for Washington State residents to commit a legal violation without even realizing it. This happens so often that there is a state police force focused exclusively on fish and wildlife violations in the region.
This is one reason why it’s crucial for people to seek legal expertise if they are informed they are being charged with fish or wildlife violations in Tacoma, Washington State. It’s not uncommon for people to get served notice of charges pending when they believe they haven’t violated any law at all. Unfortunately, aside from the obvious criminal violations that most residents are aware of, there is a suite of civil infractions that, while not bringing with them the same serious criminal repercussions, nevertheless have consequences that can negatively impact residents.
Our attorneys have decades of experience handling legal cases throughout Washington State, both complex criminal and serious civil cases. This coverage extends to cities like Tacoma and its surrounding region, and we’re well-versed in helping people resolve the often confusing and sometimes surprising instances of facing fish and wildlife charges.
The Natural Environment Of TacomaTacoma is a vibrant city south of Seattle, located on the shores of Puget Sound. This gives residents access to both land-based and marine environments. As a result, the fish and wildlife in this region are abundant, with plenty of opportunities for fishing and hunting. This type of activity must be carefully regulated to protect both the natural populations of fish like salmon and the efforts of salmon and steelhead fisheries in the region.
In 2022, over one million Washington State residents went fishing, while over 290,000 went hunting. That’s not only a lot of outdoor activity, but it also contributes significantly to the local economy. However, it also requires monitoring and occasional readjustment of regulations, such as the recent reforms instituted in 2024 regarding the hunting of cougars and bears. Because of this interaction between many fishing and wildlife-related activities and adjustments to hunting and permit policy, it’s inevitable some will overstep legal boundaries.
Violations Across The SpectrumAs with other aspects of Washington State law, fish and wildlife law has its own department of oversight and categorizes breaches of law into criminal or civil violations. Civil violations are obviously the less severe of the two, with potential outcomes running the gamut from receiving a simple warning to an administered fine. Criminal charges, on the other hand, can still involve fines, but depending on how serious the violation is, imprisonment may now also be a possibility.
As implied by the name, there are two general categories of law in this area. The first is fishing, specifically fishing and shellfishing. Washington State law distinguishes between the two groups, as they are different species with different fishing and harvesting techniques. The other area of law and enforcement is hunting, which covers wildlife on land and in the air. Of course, neither of these activities is illegal; they are merely regulated, which requires another department of oversight and enforcement for licenses and permits.
However, the breadth and depth to which these laws apply can sometimes catch people off guard. There are, of course, obvious violations that many people easily understand, such as hunting a protected or endangered species. The infraction here is clear to see. In other situations, there are instances where a person may not have realized any kind of law was broken, but they have now left themselves exposed to charges from state law. The array of different fishing and wildlife infractions include:
Falsely Prohibiting HuntingPrivately owned land obviously belongs to the owner. However, it is technically illegal to post signs that prohibit hunting. Even if trespassers can’t legally enter that land, no sign can publicly declare that hunting is illegal.
Unlawful ContestsA little friendly competition between friends while hunting or fishing is one thing. However, making game hunting or fishing part of an actual contest without first seeking proper permits is illegal. Just because hunting season is open or fishing is permitted, that does not mean contests encouraging these activities for prizes or winnings are permitted.
Barbed HooksBarbed hooks are an effective but ultimately very destructive way to catch fish, which is why they are permitted to be used in some areas to catch specific fish but not others. Fishing enthusiasts, especially those who intend to catch and release, must always be aware of when the use of barbed hooks is permitted and when their use is an infraction.
Unlawful Hydraulic ProjectOne of the most common and confusing civil infractions is the unlawful hydraulic project. While many people think they can avoid this simply by not participating in an unlicensed, large construction project, such as building a dam, many people run afoul of this law. You can break it simply by building a dock on your property, using certain types of equipment to prospect for gold, or even altering a beaver dam. Anything that affects that existing water flow must get hydraulic project approval to avoid charges.
We Can HelpWe are of the firm belief that every fishing and wildlife charge has the potential to be successfully challenged. Our lawyers have been effective at changing the legal outcome of fishing and wildlife charges in Western Washington and throughout the rest of the state for over 20 years. If you or a loved one are surprised by fishing or wildlife charges, an experienced fish and wildlife attorney has an array of legal options available to explore that may dramatically change the outcome of such charges. Our Tacoma fish and wildlife attorneys are experienced, diligent lawyers who can help people facing fish or wildlife violations challenge these charges successfully.
The laws governing fish and wildlife are some of the most confusing around. Most people facing Fish & Wildlife charges do so because of an honest mistake. Unfortunately, Fish & Wildlife officers have very little sympathy for honest mistakes and will recommend multiple charges when possible.
Depending on the type of charge you face, you could receive jail time, fines, restitution, probation, loss of hunting rights, and even have your property seized and forfeited. If your property was seized, it is important to contact an attorney as soon as possible. There are certain deadlines which you must respond by otherwise you lose your right to contest the seizure and your property will be forfeited.
If you have questions about a possible Fish & Wildlife charge or seizure you may be facing, do not hesitate to give our office a call. We will be more than happy to discuss you situation and answer your questions.