No Budget, No Hunter Ed AGAIN

[JJD]

Here we go again with the no budget, no hunter ed. 
Federal Pittman-Robertson funds keep hunter ed going, but the state Oligarchy says because instructors are covered by the states insurance, we will have to cancel classes IF the legislators do not pass budget by 7/1.  I believe that this is the third time they have pulled this crap since I have been an instructor . Every time the budget is in question, we repeat this scenario. The track record indicates that they will likely pass a budget in time, but ya still have to have a plan as to how you will handle the issue should they not.  More time wasted. 
My pay stays the same regardless, so no monetary damage.  However, my time is valuable, don't ask my wife for a second opinion  , and I hate having my time wasted.  Returning class fees and explaining why, can be a real pain in the drain.
 

[pianoman9701]

This is a time-honored Democrat tradition - scare people by threatening to close their pet programs so they'll endorse a ridiculous budget. We got a notice from the Department of Health saying the oyster industry could shut down - the second or third largest industry in the state - because of the budget battle. They won't close the oyster industry and there's a really good chance they won't shut off Hunter Education, either. Contact your reps to find out which programs will be protected in the event of a shut-down. If the WDFW and the Hunter Education program aren't included in the safety net bill, then request it and let us know.

[JimmyHoffa]

Is it a possibility for a contractor or private organization to provide Hunter's Ed?  Or taking the kids to Idaho for a week in summer to get it done? 

[Bob33]

That's a real bummer, especially for the employees who may not have a paycheck or benefits after June 30.

[bearpaw]

I would like to see their budget dry up until Hunter Education is improved and we get more predator seasons and control. They have to make the first move or no budget! 

[Bob33]

I would like to see their budget dry up until Hunter Education is improved and we get more predator seasons and control. They have to make the first move or no budget! 

What improvements do you believe should be made to hunter education?

[pianoman9701]

I would like to see their budget dry up until Hunter Education is improved and we get more predator seasons and control. They have to make the first move or no budget! 

This is a double-edged sword, Dale. Without the hunters, you're literally out of business. And fewer new hunters mean fewer people who have a stake in demanding better predator hunting and control. It would be self-defeating to stop creating new hunters because of things we dislike about the department. On the contrary, new blood in hunting can help us put pressure on the rest of the department to get their act together. As such, this is the one section of the WDFW that helps all of us be more effective in getting what we want out of the other sections.

As far as improvement to the education are concerned, I know there's room on the Hunter Education Advisory Board - 2 slots. If you or someone you know wants to see change, that'd be a great starting point. 

[bearpaw]

I would like to see their budget dry up until Hunter Education is improved and we get more predator seasons and control. They have to make the first move or no budget! 

What improvements do you believe should be made to hunter education?

I get calls every year from people who can't get in HE class wanting to know if I know where they can get HE. Classes need to be more available and could be more available in a multitude of ways if WDFW really wanted to make HE more available. Even an uneducated person can clearly see that you reduce the number of hunters if you require hunter safety but do not provide classes for hunters to get HE. Every year old hunters die or quit hunting and new persons wanting to start hunting cannot get HE. That is a FACT!

 - Allow private instruction (currently many classes are offered for people to get concealed weapons permits)
 - WDFW needs to more aggressively recruit HE volunteers and make the system to be certified more available with hours to accommodate volunteers

Those are the first two easy ways that come to mind to make HE more available if WDFW wanted HE to be more available! 

[bearpaw]

I would like to see their budget dry up until Hunter Education is improved and we get more predator seasons and control. They have to make the first move or no budget! 

This is a double-edged sword, Dale. Without the hunters, you're literally out of business. And fewer new hunters mean fewer people who have a stake in demanding better predator hunting and control. It would be self-defeating to stop creating new hunters because of things we dislike about the department. On the contrary, new blood in hunting can help us put pressure on the rest of the department to get their act together. As such, this is the one section of the WDFW that helps all of us be more effective in getting what we want out of the other sections.

As far as improvement to the education are concerned, I know there's room on the Hunter Education Advisory Board - 2 slots. If you or someone you know wants to see change, that'd be a great starting point. 

WDFW is already doing their best to stop hunting! The only influence left is to cut off their paycheck. How long do you really think it would take them to improve HE opportunity if their high paying jobs were going to end?

[Bob33]

I would like to see their budget dry up until Hunter Education is improved and we get more predator seasons and control. They have to make the first move or no budget! 

This is a double-edged sword, Dale. Without the hunters, you're literally out of business. And fewer new hunters mean fewer people who have a stake in demanding better predator hunting and control. It would be self-defeating to stop creating new hunters because of things we dislike about the department. On the contrary, new blood in hunting can help us put pressure on the rest of the department to get their act together. As such, this is the one section of the WDFW that helps all of us be more effective in getting what we want out of the other sections.

As far as improvement to the education are concerned, I know there's room on the Hunter Education Advisory Board - 2 slots. If you or someone you know wants to see change, that'd be a great starting point. 

WDFW is already doing their best to stop hunting! The only influence left is to cut off their paycheck. How long do you really think it would take them to improve HE opportunity if their high paying jobs were going to end?

Dale, I understand you don't like WDFW but you've stated the hunter education program needs to be improved. Can you offer some specific suggestions?

[bearpaw]

I would like to see their budget dry up until Hunter Education is improved and we get more predator seasons and control. They have to make the first move or no budget! 

What improvements do you believe should be made to hunter education?

I get calls every year from people who can't get in HE class wanting to know if I know where they can get HE. Classes need to be more available and could be more available in a multitude of ways if WDFW really wanted to make HE more available. Even an uneducated person can clearly see that you reduce the number of hunters if you require hunter safety but do not provide classes for hunters to get HE. Every year old hunters die or quit hunting and new persons wanting to start hunting cannot get HE. That is a FACT!

 - Allow private instruction (currently many classes are offered for people to get concealed weapons permits)
 - WDFW needs to more aggressively recruit HE volunteers and make the system to be certified more available with hours to accommodate volunteers

Those are the first two easy ways that come to mind to make HE more available if WDFW wanted HE to be more available! 

Online classes need to be expanded and range days need to be made far more available at local ranges, again, WDFW has to want this, it does not appear they really want to increase or even maintain hunter numbers!

[bearpaw]

I would like to see their budget dry up until Hunter Education is improved and we get more predator seasons and control. They have to make the first move or no budget! 

What improvements do you believe should be made to hunter education?

I get calls every year from people who can't get in HE class wanting to know if I know where they can get HE. Classes need to be more available and could be more available in a multitude of ways if WDFW really wanted to make HE more available. Even an uneducated person can clearly see that you reduce the number of hunters if you require hunter safety but do not provide classes for hunters to get HE. Every year old hunters die or quit hunting and new persons wanting to start hunting cannot get HE. That is a FACT!

 - Allow private instruction (currently many classes are offered for people to get concealed weapons permits)
 - WDFW needs to more aggressively recruit HE volunteers and make the system to be certified more available with hours to accommodate volunteers

Those are the first two easy ways that come to mind to make HE more available if WDFW wanted HE to be more available! 

apparently you missed that Bob33

[bobcat]

What I would like to see changed is the policy where students can only handle the firearms that are provided. My daughter went through the class at 9 years old and was unable to finish due to her small size and the fact that the firearms they wanted her to handle were too big for her and too heavy. I only wanted to take her grouse hunting with her 2 1/2 pound Savage Rascal 22 rifle. Why couldn't she use it to demonstrate her ability to safely handle a firearm? Or, another firearm similar in size and weight? Now she's 11 and we haven't decided yet if she's going to attempt the class again this year.

[timberfaller]

Repeal the "Law" that says they HAVE to set aside $$$$$$$ for land purchases!  Then sell some of their worthless holdings back to the public!

Get their house in order PERIOD!

[bearpaw]

Repeal the "Law" that says they HAVE to set aside $$$$$$$ for land purchases!  Then sell some of their worthless holdings back to the public!

Get their house in order PERIOD!

Lots of cuts could take place and increased hunter incentives could create more revenue, WDFW could have a surplus and not need general fund money if they were managed differently!