Master hunter enrollment suspended!

[pianoman9701]

I think some of you guys are missing the point.  I understand that WDFW thinks there is no need for additional MH's right now because they are figuring out a way to manage the program.  With that being said, I dont understand how you cant see it as a "special class" of hunters until they re-open enrollment.

I understand that many of you have done the work and put in the time to become a MH.  The problem is, when WDFW decided to suspend the program they don't afford all other hunters the same oppurtunity to become a MH, thus making a special class of hunters.  Legally, they may get theirselves in a bind if someone really wanted to push the issue because this goes against everything our liberal government preaches and they are discriminating against individuals who havent completed the course.

I am opposed to cutting off the tags to MH's, but I think that WDFW needs to get there sh%t together and open the program back up.  Good luck to all the MH's and maybe someday I will be there too!

Your "special class of hunters" point is moot. Before enrollment was suspended this year, you've all had the opportunity to enroll and you didn't, for whatever reason; not enough time, didn't believe in it, whatever. But now that enrollment is suspended, it gives you and excuse to throw me under the bus? You have a problem with the WDFW suspending enrollment. Go after them, not me. I'm a fellow hunter who's done extra work to achieve MH status. Stop trying to take away the benefits afforded me for doing so.

If you don't like the program, tell your state elected officials to put pressure on the DFW to end it. If you want to enroll, jump on it when they open it up again. If you want to be bitter because I have something you don't, keep it to yourself. I'm not the one who held you back from participating in previous years when it was available.

[206]

The problem is, when WDFW decided to suspend the program they don't afford all other hunters the same oppurtunity to become a MH, thus making a special class of hunters.  Legally, they may get theirselves in a bind if someone really wanted to push the issue because this goes against everything our liberal government preaches and they are discriminating against individuals who havent completed the course.

 

[nwwanderer]

It seems that with a dedicated, efficent and hard working state master hunter director, this could be a exceptional program.  I am not talking trash picking and fence mending, though if that is yopur MH choice more power to you.  This is a pool of people with local skills and knowledge that the state has often disregarded or not even sought.  I have dealt with many master hunters over the years, some killing elk, others hunting our place and some of the original guys coming to discuss why the program has problems.  I know, I am from another planet with my head in the dirt.

[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.

[pianoman9701]

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.

[jaymark6655]

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.

Since no one seems to have read it the first few times I have stated it.

The mistake is thinking those tags would ever go into the general draw or any kind of draw available to everyone.  If they don't go to the master hunter, then the state would more than likely hire professional hunters for the control hunts just like other states do.

Do you really want your tax dollars going to pay someone to hunt these hunts?

[pianoman9701]

I saw it Jaymark. Thank you! 

[cem3434]

I think some of you guys are missing the point.  I understand that WDFW thinks there is no need for additional MH's right now because they are figuring out a way to manage the program.  With that being said, I dont understand how you cant see it as a "special class" of hunters until they re-open enrollment.

I understand that many of you have done the work and put in the time to become a MH.  The problem is, when WDFW decided to suspend the program they don't afford all other hunters the same opportunity to become a MH, thus making a special class of hunters.  Legally, they may get theirselves in a bind if someone really wanted to push the issue because this goes against everything our liberal government preaches and they are discriminating against individuals who havent completed the course.

I am opposed to cutting off the tags to MH's, but I think that WDFW needs to get there sh%t together and open the program back up.  Good luck to all the MH's and maybe someday I will be there too!

Your "special class of hunters" point is moot. Before enrollment was suspended this year, you've all had the opportunity to enroll and you didn't, for whatever reason; not enough time, didn't believe in it, whatever. But now that enrollment is suspended, it gives you and excuse to throw me under the bus? You have a problem with the WDFW suspending enrollment. Go after them, not me. I'm a fellow hunter who's done extra work to achieve MH status. Stop trying to take away the benefits afforded me for doing so.

If you don't like the program, tell your state elected officials to put pressure on the DFW to end it. If you want to enroll, jump on it when they open it up again. If you want to be bitter because I have something you don't, keep it to yourself. I'm not the one who held you back from participating in previous years when it was available.

You seem to be a very angry individual.  Maybe you should pull your head out an re-read what I said and maybe then you wouldn't think my point is moot. 

As I stated before, I do not support punishing the guys that are MH's by cutting tags and opportunities for guys that have already put in the work.  I must say, that you are also very ignorant if you truly believe that by suspending enrollment and punishing all of the guys that want to be MH's is not creating a "special class" of MH's.  I personally don't have the time or want to be a MH at this time, so your argument is a moot point to me because you assumed that I wanted to join the program now.  I said someday I maybe a MH, but its not in the cards for me right now.

Again, I'm not pushing to punish any of the existing MH's, but I think that WDFW is not letting everyone play fairly.  If everyone is not afforded the same opportunities, regardless of why they chose not to sign up in the past, then WDFW has indeed created a special class of hunters!

[pianoman9701]

Not angry at all. Just don't like the unlimited numbers of threads bashing a program that I worked very hard to get into. It's a good program and the people in it are required to continue to do the work regardless of whether enrollment is open or not, and regardless of whether we get a tag or not, and regardless of whether that tag even ever presents an opportunity or not.

[elk247]

What's the big deal? MH have earned that title. The wdfw does not reward all MH with a cow elk tag. I believe with hoof rot in SW and wolves in the NE the state will be trying to rebuild elk numbers for about the next 15 years. Unless the MH get called upon to help cull hoof rot elk (if the state decides to go that route) I don't think they will be handed too many permits. I'm not a MH but i do qualify to become one if i so choose. If you guys want a cow elk then go get one. Lots of antlerless units for archery. Again I ask whats the big deal? Remember you had your chance to be a MH and will again. So if you want to help and have the time to dedicate then sign up next open enrollment.

[elk247]

I would like to thank pianoman and bob33 for all their time invested in the masterhunter program and especially the hunter education program as well as the numerous volunteer organization that contribute to wildlife habitat.  Also thank you guys for supporting the 2 nd amendment rights of Americans and being a voice of reason between non-hunters, pro-hunters, and politicians. Thank you also to other members that this statement applies to. 

[pianoman9701]

That's nice of you to say, Elk. I know Bob33's been doing it a helluvalot longer than I (well, cause he's older than dirt), and he's the one who convinced me, through his example, to get involved in Hunter Education. I have some good mentors of my own. 

[elk247]

We all have mentors. It would be a shame if a guy didn't. 'Pass it on' My 8 year old son will hopefully be allowed the same rights you and I have had, thanks to people like you. Hunting is not only a tradition, a way of life or a way to keep animal population healthy. Its the most healthy protien a person can consume. I will consider becoming a master hunter but I don't care if I ever draw a tag. Ihave never applied for any tag in 17 years of hunting this state and the only one I am going to put in for is a spring bear tag because thats the only way to legally harvest a bear in the spring.

[luvmystang67]

I think they should have master hunters take kids to go do those damage control hunts and provide positive mentorship and youth opportunities.  That should be the only incentive given.  It allows them to continue to help the future of hunting and the environment.

Whether or not the program opens back up, I think this should be implemented.  In fact, I might write my representative...

[elk247]

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.