Hunting education?

[Treefiddy]

I just barely got in to the early April class here in Spokane. I really wish they had more field days so I could take the online class but that wasn't an option. Is there a reason there are hardly any available classes? I have been fighting since December to get into a class that wasn't a 2 hour drive everynight.

Not enough instructors.  WDFW does not actively recruit new instructors and does not offer any perks.  If they gutted the Master Hunter program and used those incentive tags to recruit instructors, they would have lots of volunteers and a lot more classes.

Yeah it's crap. I know a lot of guys my age (34 and not raised in a hunting household) who want to get into hunting but it's so hard to get into a class, we all gave up.

[Becky]

Where are you taking it? Paul Bunyun has one starting April 8 and with all the drop outs you might be able to get in as a walk in...

Paul Bunyun was booked up for eternity it seemed... we're both taking it at Tacoma Sportsman's Club.

[madmack76]

you can do most of the course online, and then go in and take your test.

[Smossy]

Where are you taking it? Paul Bunyun has one starting April 8 and with all the drop outs you might be able to get in as a walk in...

Tacoma Sportsmans Club, I tried P.B. and put my name on the waiting list but have yet to be contacted at all.

[Bob33]

I just barely got in to the early April class here in Spokane. I really wish they had more field days so I could take the online class but that wasn't an option. Is there a reason there are hardly any available classes? I have been fighting since December to get into a class that wasn't a 2 hour drive everynight.

Not enough instructors.  WDFW does not actively recruit new instructors and does not offer any perks.  If they gutted the Master Hunter program and used those incentive tags to recruit instructors, they would have lots of volunteers and a lot more classes.

Instructors already get.opportunities to draw tags much better than those available to Master Hunters.

Furthermore we don't need another group of hunters to hate and complain about.

[Smossy]

Yeah but I want first hand knowledge from some knowledgeable instructors "hopefully".
Im absolutely new to hunting and have no friends/family that know anything about it really so I want every bit of information that I can get.

[Treefiddy]

you can do most of the course online, and then go in and take your test.

I don't know about the westside but the only available field test is either filled up immediately or a 3-4 hour drive here in Spokane.

[arrowflinger]

It can hurt to show up to PB, the class holds 24 people and the last two class only had 18 people show up....to me it might be worth showing up and hope to walk in. They are having problems with drop outs even if it shows full.


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[huntingfool7]

I just barely got in to the early April class here in Spokane. I really wish they had more field days so I could take the online class but that wasn't an option. Is there a reason there are hardly any available classes? I have been fighting since December to get into a class that wasn't a 2 hour drive everynight.

Not enough instructors.  WDFW does not actively recruit new instructors and does not offer any perks.  If they gutted the Master Hunter program and used those incentive tags to recruit instructors, they would have lots of volunteers and a lot more classes.

Instructors already get.opportunities to draw tags much better than those available to Master Hunters.

Furthermore we don't need another group of hunters to hate and complain about.

OK, maybe I'm wrong to hate on the Master Hunter program 

My understanding is that you have to have 3 full years as a HS instructor to qualify for the tags you're refering to.  So on the fourth year you are eligible for that drawing.
Those tags may help to retain instructors.

I doubt that many (if any) of the HS instructors out there viewed these tags as an incentive to becoming instructors.  These guys/gals have to have other motivations to jump through the required hoops to stand in front of a class.   

The point of my statement was that there is little, if any recruiting for HS instructors.  Thus the shortage of classes. 

[Smossy]

It can hurt to show up to PB, the class holds 24 people and the last two class only had 18 people show up....to me it might be worth showing up and hope to walk in. They are having problems with drop outs even if it shows full.


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Thanks for the advice, wouldn't hurt to try, When's the soonest class do you know?

[Smossy]

It can hurt to show up to PB, the class holds 24 people and the last two class only had 18 people show up....to me it might be worth showing up and hope to walk in. They are having problems with drop outs even if it shows full.


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Also, With that tapatalk app... Is it worth the few bucks, do you like it?