LEAVENWORTH - The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission set this year's general hunting seasons and special-hunt permit drawings during a public meeting here April 9-10.

The nine-member citizen commission, which sets policy for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), also approved several land transactions and heard public comments on proposed new rules designed to address property damage and other conflicts between landowners and wildlife.

New hunting rules approved by the commission reflect changes in game populations since the current three-year plan was adopted last year. They include:

* Reducing antlerless elk hunting in the Yakima area.
* Reducing antlerless deer hunting in northeast Washington and the Olympic Peninsula.
* Providing additional permits for spring black bear hunting and delaying start dates for fall black bear hunting in some areas.
* Increasing permit hunting for cougar in southeast Washington.
* Changing the fall turkey hunt in southeast Washington from a limited permit-only hunt to a general hunt.

Along with the new hunting rules, the commission also approved a new application system for special-hunt permits that will give hunters more options by allowing them to apply for deer and elk permits in several different categories. The system applies "points" accrued by unsuccessful permit applicants from previous years to each of the new permit categories.

Another change allows hunters who use archery or muzzleloader equipment to carry hand guns for personal protection.

The amended hunting rules, which take effect May 1, will be included in WDFW's new Big-Game Hunting pamphlet, which will be available by late April at license dealers, WDFW offices, and online at http://wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/regs_seasons.html .