Disqusted by so called Master Hunters

[Bob33]

I'm holding out to join a group with only perfect hunters.

So you don't want to hunt with the master hunters, the yakama's, the muckleshoots, the couple from Oregon or Tod Riechert?  What the heck Bob?

It's tough being a lone wolf without perfect hunting companions.  I had one once until I learned he took at shot and killed an animal at too far a distance.

[brew]

I'm holding out to join a group with only perfect hunters.

Copy that Bob33...it doesn't matter what group you belong to--be it licensed hunters, "master hunters", natives, boy scouts, law enforcement, foster parents etc, etc.  there will always be a bad element in place in any group...that doesn't mean you shut the whole thing down...you are just cutting a nose off to despite ones face.  these groups are in place to provide a needed service and if they screw up they should be dealt with lawfully--not at the expense of those who are doing it legally...you are not going to curtail someone's illegal activity by bitching about it on these web sites...if your are serious about these offenses introduce legislation that funds more Law Enforcement FTE's....the more people out enforcing the better

[Watimberghost]

I'm holding out to join a group with only perfect hunters.

So you don't want to hunt with the master hunters, the yakama's, the muckleshoots, the couple from Oregon or Tod Riechert?  What the heck Bob?

It's tough being a lone wolf without perfect hunting companions.  I had one once until I learned he took at shot and killed an animal at too far a distance.

Unreal... I can't believe you would acquaintance yourself with people like that. 

[Rainier10]

I'm holding out to join a group with only perfect hunters.

Copy that Bob33...it doesn't matter what group you belong to--be it licensed hunters, "master hunters", natives, boy scouts, law enforcement, foster parents etc, etc.  there will always be a bad element in place in any group...that doesn't mean you shut the whole thing down...you are just cutting a nose off to despite ones face.  these groups are in place to provide a needed service and if they screw up they should be dealt with lawfully--not at the expense of those who are doing it legally...you are not going to curtail someone's illegal activity by bitching about it on these web sites...if your are serious about these offenses introduce legislation that funds more Law Enforcement FTE's....the more people out enforcing the better

[ghosthunter]

Any program, which includes human beings has the potential of bad apples.

This type of behavior is rampant in this state. Regardless of what group you belong too.

Most property owners who are plagued with elk problems really don't care how the job gets done.

These are not hunts. They are killings. The intent is to kill the offending animals and except for bad press the DFW really don't care how it is accomplished.

If it is your fences,crops,pasture or property being destroyed by the game Dept bringing in elk with no end plan to control them, you are looking for any relief. Like in the Skagit Valley.

 

[MtnMuley]

These "master hunter" stories make me laugh. I know about some stories that have never been posted that'd would blow most minds. I also know of several others that have prime tablefare for their family every year due to this program while helping out a true struggling farmer. No, I'm not a master hunter either.

[jstone]

never been a fan of the Master Hunter thing..

[WALLEYEGUY]

The next round of public comments should have a ton of do away with this broke program. Good idea gone bad, oh wait it is run by 

[baker5150]

These "master hunter" stories make me laugh. I know about some stories that have never been posted that'd would blow most minds. I also know of several others that have prime tablefare for their family every year due to this program while helping out a true struggling farmer. No, I'm not a master hunter either.

This is the issue, you only hear the bad and never the good. 
Too many jump to conclusions based on a few 2nd hand stories and a massive lack of information.
This can be said for a lot of issues now days.

[Skyvalhunter]

If you don't like the areas that the master hunters are allowed to hunt contact the WDFW or the Hunt Master. There's always going to be he said she said stories but unless you prove it and complain to the state its going to fall on deaf ears. The rock throwing just gets old and thus why the hunting community is so divided. 

[Jlittlebear31]

I am new to this forum and have read it a lot more than I have made comments.  As a Master Hunter for the past 12 years I understand the irritation towards the actions of a few morons.  I agree with others that just because of the poor decisions and actions of a few, the rest of us that enjoy and depend on this program should not suffer.

With a wife and four near teenage children I am thankful for my oppurtunity to harvest a cow in the early season.  It is my best oppurtunity to get meat on the table and is helpful for local farms and farmers.  In addition, as an archer, I have never entered the woods for a MH cow hunt while any archery season is occurring.  In exchange, I offer physical labor help to several east side land owners for access.

I do not boast about my success, nor do I make lousy and unethical judgements when I choose to harvest an animal.  The vast majority of MH's (I believe) are ethical, smart, enjoy wildlife and hunting and want to bring a good positive light to our sport.  To hammer the whole program and those who use it positively seems a bit excessive.  I agree with Skyvalhunter, collect license plates, descriptions and take good notes of who is responsible for illegal dangerous actions and report them.  My thoughts.....

[chukarchaser]

This same type of behavior occurs in other units with damage hunts that are not solely MH hunts. I here the Malaga hung is having issues similar to this as well

[pianoman9701]

If this was a group of MHs, then there was a hunt coordinator. If they were hunting on private land without permission, all of them will lose their MH status. MHs are held to much higher standards of conduct in order to keep the designation they have worked hard for. I'm unsure what happened on this specific "hunt", but it's quite possible that this group was called in to cull several animals at the request of the landowner or because a bio saw the need to thin the herd in that specific place. There's not enough information here to make a judgement just yet.

The MH program provides a minimum of 16,000 hours of volunteer conservation work each year - minimum; that's if each MH only does what's required. At $10/hr, that saves conservation resources a minimum of $160,000.00 a year. I've personally never done less than 20 hours and I'm not alone. I suggest that our wildlife and budding young hunters would suffer greatly as a result of eliminating this program. Are there a$$hats out there who abuse the program? Yes, of course there are and the WDFW is doing their best to identify and remove those types from the program. Are there regular hunters out there who are unethical and shed a bad light on hunting? I would guarantee there are far more than in the MH ranks. Does that mean we should eliminate hunting altogether? What do you think? Before you decide to eliminate a program which provides much to conservation and our wildlife, I suggest you should definitely learn more about its benefits to our hunting community and wildlife. Closing the program would be tantamount to cutting off your nose to spite your face, IMHO.

[headshot5]

Before you decide to eliminate a program which provides much to conservation and our wildlife, I suggest you should definitely learn more about its benefits to our hunting community and wildlife.

Is there somewhere that documents where/what the volunteer hrs of work accomplished?  So the non-MH can get an idea of the benefits provided to our ecosystem.  It might help the non master hunters if we could tangibly see what service MH provide as far as conservation work.

[pianoman9701]

I believe the requirements are outlined clearly on the master hunter page of the WDFW website.