Master hunter enrollment suspended!

[luvmystang67]

Thats a great idea, however marksmanship is a big issue with alot of damage controll hunts because of buildings, vacinity to a road and within view of the general public. Maybe these issues can be addressed. I think its a good idea though.

Maybe a master hunter is armed for a back-up shot if necessary.  They can ensure a youth takes a responsible shot.  Even master hunters have the capability of placing a bad shot, even if it is a reduced possibility, it is not eliminated.

[elk247]

I agree. Im not certain but i think alot of hunts might be archery only due to the limited distance a projectile can fly safely. Imo i wouldnt use less than 50lb draw weight on an elk. That would limit it to the bigger kids ands thats not a bad thing. But im sure the "fair to all" folks will say that it will create another specific catogory of hunter. What it comes down to is you cant please all the people all the time.

[darkarcher]

I am in the MH program. A lot of work and the only reward is satisfaction in knowing I do good deeds for others. Thanks to all the MH's out there and keep it up.

[turkeyfeather]

I think the whole program "idea" is a great one. However from the few guys I have talked to that went through the program they have said that it seems to have been badly managed (Just what I heard). And that is the reason that I haven't looked into it more. I have only been hunting for about 5 years though. I do think it is unfair to have special hunts and permits that are not available but to a select few. And I would agree with cem3434 that this could and maybe should be challenged in court.

Challenging what in court, exactly? The MH hunts are usually high visibility, damage control hunts, which require a minimum level of learning and proficiency to prove the qualifications of the hunter before the state is willing to risk the reputation of all hunters by sending someone in to do the job. That's the purpose of the program. Do some hunters already have the skills required to be a MH without taking the course? Sure. Does the state have any way of verifying that without them taking the course? No. It's a specific program for a specific purpose. There are many hunts that have pre-requisites for hunters to be eligible. You can't hunt geese in 2A and 2B without having passed a goose identification. Some state require a class before you can bowhunt. Some require a class to be able to obtain a moose or sheep tag because of the rigors and the chance of failure by not properly identifying the game. The same is true of those hunts in the public eye, the MH tags.

And again, you've all had the chance to take the program during previous years and have chosen not to. That's on you, not me. Leave my privileges alone. Sour grapes because I did the work and you didn't. Tough.

I have no problem with anybody getting special hunts cause they took a special class. My concern is that nobody else has that opportunity and that it becomes "the good ol' boys club". I have no interest in taking the class or the special hunts, but my boys may want to someday and at this point could not. That's my problem. No sour grapes here. You took the class I didn't. Good for you, maybe now you can see things from the other side instead of jumping to conclusions. If you are against anybody else ever having the same opportunity you have (I may even change my mind someday) then you should lose that opportunity. 

[Bob33]

"nobody else has that opportunity"

To be clear, nobody else would have that opportunity now anyway. The enrollment period is usually the first six weeks of the year.

Yes, the 100 or so individuals that would have become Master Hunters this year did not due to the temporary freeze. That's unfortunate. It doesn't seem to me that a one year delay of perhaps five percent more hunters in the "good ol' boys club" is really something to get worked up over, especially since the "good ol boys" didn't make the decision.

[turkeyfeather]

Don't take it personal Bob. I was making a point about how it can be perceived. Don't get your panties in a bunch. And we all know how this state works. It starts out as a one year hold and next thing you know is it becomes permanent. That is what I fear. I don't think that is an illegitimate fear.

[Bob33]

Don't take it personal Bob. I was making a point about how it can be perceived. Don't get your panties in a bunch. And we all know how this state works. It starts out as a one year hold and next thing you know is it becomes permanent. That is what I fear. I don't think that is an illegitimate fear.

(a) I don't take it personal; (b) I don't wear panties; (c) it won't be permanent.

[turkeyfeather]

Don't take it personal Bob. I was making a point about how it can be perceived. Don't get your panties in a bunch. And we all know how this state works. It starts out as a one year hold and next thing you know is it becomes permanent. That is what I fear. I don't think that is an illegitimate fear.

(a) I don't take it personal; (b) I don't wear panties; (c) it won't be permanent.

Good stuff.

[Dan-o]

The MH hunts aren't primarily about sporting opportunity - they are about removing problem animals in as safe and efficient a manner as possible.   (so, if I was running it I wouldn't have kids do it.   It's not a hunt I'd use to introduce my own kids to hunting).

I think I've been in for 9 years now.  The best part about the program for me has been meeting a couple landowners and working with them.

Last year I hazed elk off a farm probably 40 night after work.   It was cool and a good excuse to get out and walk and (sometimes see some elk).    The farmer eventually got a depredation permit, but it was only good for him or a 1st order family member so I didn't get a hunt out of it.

I'm already looking forward to going back out - actually made my first visit last weekend, but no crop = no elk.

I've been called out for 1 special hunt in 9 years   (and the elk spotted me and headed off the property.....    ).........   so if you're in it for the hunting, you will be disappointed.


That being said, I figure the state probably has the right to decide how many they want in the program......   But I'm in so that's easy for me to say.

[Dan-o]

Don't take it personal Bob. I was making a point about how it can be perceived. Don't get your panties in a bunch. And we all know how this state works. It starts out as a one year hold and next thing you know is it becomes permanent. That is what I fear. I don't think that is an illegitimate fear.

(a) I don't take it personal; (b) I don't wear panties; (c) it won't be permanent.

come on, bob.....   (b) = TMI............       

[nwwanderer]

On MH shooting skills, one missed at 70 yards broadside with the 'I should have shot this rifle first' comment and another finally scored on the third cow with his $4,000 super rifle.  The young hunter idea with skill practice and a MH on hand is a great idea.  Get them going early and often.

[Dan-o]

Where was this?

Did you witness this first hand?   It sounds as though you were on the hunt with them?   

[Skyvalhunter]

Once again the same misconception comes up every year that Enrollment is cutoff to anyone who wants to complete the master hunter program. The enrollment period is January 1-Feb15th. If you missed this time frame wait again until next year. Those who keep getting their panties in a knot saying the missed the OIL opportunity need to be able to read first.

[Dan-o]

Skyval - this year was different.   They did cut off acceptance w/o notice.

(Of course, I think that's their prerogative, but that's what the debates about. )

[Tbar]

I'm sure that there's some master hunters that are great hunters . but the mh program is a joke ! they should have to qualifiy as a true master not a trash picker ! Don't get me wrong I believe in stewertship of the land but that program should be dumped .

I can tell you first hand how the master hunter program is not working. It has taken a successful damage hunt and turned it into a joke, costing the state money (in damage claims).