(1) A person is guilty of unlawful hunting of wild animals in the second degree if the person hunts for wild animals not classified as big game and, whether or not the person possesses the wild animals, the person has not purchased the appropriate hunting license issued to Washington residents or nonresidents under chapter 77.32 RCW.

Attorney's Note

Under the Washington Code, punishments for crimes depend on the classification. In the case of this section:
ClassPrisonFine
gross misdemeanorup to 364 daysup to $5,000
For details, see Wash. Rev. Code § 9A.20.021

Terms Used In Washington Code 77.15.430

  • big game: means the following species:
Washington Code 77.08.030
  • person: may be construed to include the United States, this state, or any state or territory, or any public or private corporation or limited liability company, as well as an individual. See Washington Code 1.16.080
  • (2) A person is guilty of unlawful hunting of wild animals in the second degree if the person:
    (a) Takes or possesses a wild animal that is not classified as big game, and owns, but does not have in the person’s possession, all licenses, tags, or permits required by this title; or
    (b) Violates any department rule regarding seasons, bag or possession limits but less than two times the bag or possession limit, closed areas including game reserves, closed times, or any other rule addressing the manner or method of hunting or possession of wild animals not classified as big game.
    (3) A person is guilty of unlawful hunting of wild animals in the first degree if the person takes or possesses two times or more than the possession or bag limit for wild animals that are not classified as big game animals as allowed by department rule.
    (4)(a) Unlawful hunting of wild animals in the second degree is a misdemeanor.
    (b) Unlawful hunting of wild animals in the first degree is a gross misdemeanor.