County may restrict weapons used for hunting

The days of hunting with high-powered weapons could be coming to an end in the San Juans.

Last week, the County Commission endorsed tighter restrictions on the use of firearms to boost public safety for a growing population. Commissioners John Evans and Rhea Miller, after backing away from similar restrictions a decade ago, agreed the time has come to ratchet-down the types of weapons allowed during hunting season and ban the use of firearms on county-owned

property.

“Shotgun only is basically where I was hoping we’d go for hunting season,” Evans said.

Such a move would follow suit with hunting rules that have been in place in Island County for the past 10 years, said Administrative Services Director David Zeretzke, who, at the commission’s request, joined Undersheriff Jon Zerby in a review of local firearm rules at a Nov. 30 work session at the county courthouse. Zeretzke said commissioners have “broad authority” in restricting firearms for public safety, but that the power to alter state hunting rules resides with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.

“State law completely pre-empts the local authority’s ability to do anything about the hunting season,” Zeretzke said. “If you want to change the hunting season, you have to work with them.”

Still, Zeretzke said state game officials would be “very open” to exploring possible changes on behalf of the commission’s concern regarding public safety during hunting season. He said WDFW officials were recently surprised to learn that the restrictions on firearms that apply in Island County aren’t also in effect in San Juan County.

Zerby said the Sheriff’s Department fields numerous complaints about firearms from local residents during the time when hunting is allowed. He said a shotgun blast travels roughly 100 yards, while some high-powered rifles are capable of firing a bullet up to four miles. Bows and arrows would be allowed under a “shotgun only” rule, but it would effectively ban the use of rifles, Zerby said.

Though authority to change hunting rules rests with the state, Zeretzke said the commission has the ability to adopt an ordinance banning the use of firearms on county-owned property. He noted in 1987 the commission pushed through an amendment requiring hunters to get written permission of the island owner. Commissioners instructed Zeretzke to prepare a draft ordinance prohibiting the use of firearms on county-owned property in consultation with the Prosecuting Attorney’s office. Public hearings would be required before any ordinance is approved. However, it must not intrude on a person’s ability to “safely discharge a weapon” on his or her own property, Evans said.

Miller said her support for the ban is driven by increased density and that more and more people are using public land for recreation. The growth in population now demands a different approach than the commission was prepared to follow 10 years ago regarding the use of high-powered weapons, she said.

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