With the distinct possibility of a 10 percent increase in the cost 2017-2018 hunting licenses, there will probably be a corresponding rise in poachers and game-rule violations. Hunters are continually griping about the high cost of hunting in Washington state and this year’s hikes will be no exception.

A WDFW employee who is “in the know” advised me that enforcement officers will be especially diligent about checking licenses, tags and stamps. It might be a good idea to review a few penalties that may be little known to law-abiding hunters.

For example, if prosecuted to its full extent, one state law can result in a $2,000 fine for an out-of-state hunter who uses false information to obtain a resident Washington state license.

Here are some other game violations/fees. Note there is a mandatory administrative charge of $49 in addition to any fine.

STATUTE VIOLATION FINE

37-501 Over bag limit for fish/small game/turkey $200

37-504(4) Closed elk season $500

37504(3) Closed season quail/mourning dove/waterfowl $100

37504(2) Closed season on mountain sheep $1,000

37504(5) Take dove not in flight $50

37522 Loaded shotgun in vehicle $50

37537 Baiting game birds $150

54788 Enter state with dog/no health certificate $25

37411 No federal or state waterfowl stamp $50

37-411 No elk permit $500

There are another two pages of Washington state statutes pertaining to fish and game that can be accessed online.

It is not known how much wildlife poachers kill, but it is quite probable that they illegally take as much as licensed hunters/fishers do in some areas during regular hunting seasons. To help combat this problem, WDFW has come up with a reward system. For information that leads to a conviction, you could be eligible for a reward of up to $500 or up to 10 points for an improved chance in special permits drawing.