What you should know about waterfowl hunting in Drayton Harbor

Courtesy photo

Every year the Blaine Police Department receives a great deal of inquiries regarding waterfowl hunting in Drayton Harbor. According to chief of police Allen Schubert, “The department understands the delicate balance that exists between ornithologists studying migrations, birders enjoying the annual Wings over Water festival and duck hunters participating in a time-honored pastime. It’s our job to accommodate everyone by adhering to the existing laws.” The following should provide some insight.

The exact dates of waterfowl season are set by the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) and vary from year to year, with the season typically starting in October. Legal hunting hours are from sunrise to approximately 30 minutes before sunset.

The city of Blaine’s season runs until January 27, 2019 and includes the hunting of duck and geese. Bird limits vary by the species being hunted. According to WDFW warden David Jones, “Many of the hunts taking place in Drayton Harbor are being done by hunters from other states. The hunts are highly regulated and the violation rates are typically low.”

Blaine Municipal Code prohibits hunting within city limits. For Drayton Harbor, city limits extend about 100 yards into the water from the high tide mark. However, a good portion of Drayton Harbor falls under the county’s jurisdiction and is patrolled by the WDFW, not the Blaine Police Department. In other words, the Blaine Police Department can enforce waterfowl hunting laws near the shorelines of the Port of Bellingham, Blaine Harbor, the incorporated downtown area, developed areas in Semiahmoo and the immediate vicinity around the Semiahmoo Resort.

According to Schubert, “If you’re standing on the beach at Semiahmoo Resort or walking along the spit and you can hear the hunters talking on their boats, then most likely they are violating our jurisdiction. Give us a call.”

The following Blaine Municipal Code (BMC) applies to waterfowl hunting: BMC 9.20.140 Hunting.

BMC 9.20.140 Hunting

77. Except as otherwise provided, it shall be unlawful to hunt within the city limits. The term “to hunt” shall be defined as provided in RCW 77.08.010 and shall include any effort to kill, injure, capture, or harass a wild animal or wild bird. Violations of this section shall be a misdemeanor.

1. Council shall have authority to authorize specific forms of hunting in designated areas of the city by resolution. Any such action shall require a finding that such activity does not constitute a nuisance or danger to public safety. Any such authorized hunting shall be limited to persons on private property with the written authority of the property owner.

1. Nothing in this section shall be construed to supersede any provisions contained in RCW Title 77 or any provision of the Washington Administrative Code.

Blaine police officers will respond to any calls of suspected illegal hunting, but they are bound by jurisdictional guidelines. However, they are always willing to meet with hunters returning to city landings to determine if they are exceeding legal hunting limits.

Special thanks of Blaine police officer Brad Gullikson and WDFW Warden Dave Jones. For more information, refer to the Washington State Migratory Waterfowl and Upland Game Seasons at bit.ly/2rO2qWP.

Courtesy of the Blaine Police Department