Air gun hunting in Washington

I live fairly close to the Canadian border here in Washington, north of Seattle. Little suburb called Ferndale. Grew up here, been here since 1986! 😮😃

Lots of farmland and big estates still around, out in the country part of town.

Tons of black squirrels and grey squirrels in parts of town...though not so much in my neighborhood anymore? Due to my war on squirrels since 2008/09 lol.

I think other neighbors in the area shoot the yard rats, too? Several times I've heard what sounded like a Gamo Whisper Silent Cat .177 coming from one of the houses behind me next block over.

Winters here can get really nasty, with polar fronts and northeasters coming in from Canada. The squirrels not only destroy yards, farms, and trees, but they'll try to chew right through the wood siding of a house, to get into it or try to get in the attic, also. They caused $1,000's of dollars in damage to the siding of my house, which had to be replaced.

 
Call to Arms...so to speak.

The WDFW has posted a survey that includes a question about airguns. They didn't actually word my question the way that I wanted, and they didn't limit it to small-game, but rather specifically asked about allowing airguns for deer and big game, but I'd guess that that would allow us to include small game if this gets approved. Nonetheless, the opportunity is here and your voice/vote is needed. You need to complete the entire survey (it's about 10-15 questions). I honestly didn't see any specific requirement for proving residency to take the survey.

The survey is here:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Z6FJCQC


More information is available here: http://wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/regulations/seasonsetting/

The survey is only open until 8/31 so don't delay. 
 
Thanks for all your hard work on petitioning airgun hunting in Washington. It makes zero sense that you cannot hunt quail with an airgun! Or for that matter other small game. Hopefully there will be new changes in 2018! Airguns are way more advanced than what they were ages ago. Even to hunt big game with airguns would be great! There are big bore airguns that can take large game practically the size of an elk! The .357 bullpup is a stout contender for big game. But there are even larger caliber airguns than just the .357. But many of us air gunners know this. 😎 You have my vote for hunting with airguns. I live in Spokane. How can my vote count? 
 
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About the nutria. I contacted WA fish and game threw its web site. I asked if they new they were in the ballard ship cannal, lake union,lake wa and the arboretium. They said it wasnt a problem and that land owners could remove them as they see fit. I asked about airguns and was told they are not classified animals. Its strange in this state you can hunt coyote with a rock if you wanted to but you have to hunt rabbit with a shotgun