Discharge of firearm, bow, or crossbow while hunting — In a manner that injures a person or that kills or causes substantial bodily harm to livestock — Suspension of hunting privileges — Appeal.
RCW 77.15.720
in effect(1)(a) If a person discharges a firearm, bow, or crossbow while hunting and in a manner that injures, or that a reasonable person would believe is likely to injure, another person, the director shall revoke all of the shooter's hunting licenses and suspend all hunting privileges for three years. If the shooting kills or results in the death of another person, then the director shall revoke all of the shooter's hunting licenses and suspend all of the person's hunting privileges for ten years. (b) If a person, with malice, discharges a firearm, bow, or crossbow while hunting and in a manner that kills or causes substantial bodily harm to livestock belonging to another person, the director shall revoke all of the shooter's hunting licenses and suspend all hunting privileges for three years. For the purposes of this subsection (1)(b), "malice" has the same meaning as provided in RCW 9A.04.110 but applies to acts against livestock. (2) A suspension under subsection (1) of this section shall be continued beyond the applicable periods if damages owed to the victim or livestock owner have not been paid by the suspended person. In such a case, no hunting license shall be reissued to the suspended person unless authorized by the director. (3) A person who is notified of a license revocation under this section may request an appeal hearing under chapter 34.05 RCW. (4) The commission may by rule authorize petitions for reinstatement of administrative suspensions and define circumstances under which such a reinstatement will be allowed.
(1)(a) If a person discharges a firearm, bow, or crossbow while hunting and in a manner that injures, or that a reasonable person would believe is likely to injure, another person, the director shall revoke all of the shooter's hunting licenses and suspend all hunting privileges for three years. If the shooting kills or results in the death of another person, then the director shall revoke all of the shooter's hunting licenses and suspend all of the person's hunting privileges for ten years.
(b) If a person, with malice, discharges a firearm, bow, or crossbow while hunting and in a manner that kills or causes substantial bodily harm to livestock belonging to another person, the director shall revoke all of the shooter's hunting licenses and suspend all hunting privileges for three years. For the purposes of this subsection (1)(b), "malice" has the same meaning as provided in RCW 9A.04.110 but applies to acts against livestock.
(2) A suspension under subsection (1) of this section shall be continued beyond the applicable periods if damages owed to the victim or livestock owner have not been paid by the suspended person. In such a case, no hunting license shall be reissued to the suspended person unless authorized by the director.
(3) A person who is notified of a license revocation under this section may request an appeal hearing under chapter 34.05 RCW.
(4) The commission may by rule authorize petitions for reinstatement of administrative suspensions and define circumstances under which such a reinstatement will be allowed.
Source: WA Statutes (Official Site)URL: https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=77.15&full=trueFetched: 6/29/2026