(1) Definitions:
- (a) "Trapper with a disability" means a person who has been granted a disability designation and who possesses a valid disabled trappers endorsement issued by the department.
- (b) "Disabled trapper endorsement" means an endorsement to a license issued by the department to a person granted a disability designation.
- (c) "Designated trapper companion" means a designated person who only assists with that physical function the trapper with a disability is unable to perform, such as trap placement, baiting, checking the trap(s), retrieving, or the tagging of furbearing animals during trapping season.
- (d) "Designated trapper companion card" means an identification card issued by the department to a trapper with a disability for use by another person in assisting or acting on the behalf of the trapper with a disability while engaging in trapping activities.
- (e) "Accompany" means the trapper with a disability and the designated trapper companion are in the physical presence of each other, not to exceed a 100-foot separation. The trapper with a disability and the designated trapper companion must have a form of reliable and direct communication.
- (2) A designated trapper companion card will be issued to the holder of a disabled trapper endorsement upon purchase of a trapping license.
- (3) It is unlawful for a trapper with a disability to not follow all agency rules and to fail to possess all required licenses and permits before trapping.
(4) It is unlawful for a designated trapper companion to assist a trapper with a disability unless the designated trapper companion has the designated trapper companion card on his or her person. A designated trapper companion must have a valid trapper license issued by Washington state or another state.
The designated trapper companion must accompany the trapper with a disability during trap placement, baiting, and checking the trap(s).
- (5) Furbearing animals killed or retrieved by a designated trapper companion on behalf of a trapper with a disability do not count against the designated trapper companion's bag, daily, or possession limit.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 77.04.012, 77.04.013, 77.04.020, 77.04.055, and 77.12.047. WSR 25-17-008 (Order 25-12), s 220-413-210, filed 8/7/25, effective 9/7/25. Statutory Authority: RCW 77.04.012, 77.04.013, 77.04.055, 77.12.047, 77.32.237, 77.32.238, and 77.32.400. WSR 18-16-074 (Order 18-162), § 220-413-210, filed 7/30/18, effective 8/30/18.]