Master Hunters VOICE LOUD AND CLEAR!!!

[KillBilly]

And yes happiness and accomplishment are certainly a goal to attain. I feel like the MH program is just an extension of Hunters education. When my son was 10 I went through the Hunters Ed. course with him.. wow, I saw so many things that were missing from it..then I realized that it was because of the teachings I and my buddies had been introduced to via the MH course. You are right in a way.. it doesn't make anyone a better harvester but I believe it makes all of them more aware hunters. MH should be a logical progression of education for all of our future hunters in my opinion. Believe me it's never been about ME... I have never sewn the patch on anything but it sits on a shelf where I can see it. No, I have never been asked or required to show my card. It wears a spot in my wallet. But I am most certainly of having accomplished a satisfactory completion of the course and the advancement of knowledge.

[bearhunter59]

I'm just curious, where is it us Master Hunters get to ride quads into places others must walk into?  I've never noticed that in any of the "special" hunts we get.  Where is that stated?  Not that I intend to ride my quad in any of those locations.  I'll walk in like everyone else has too.
As for some of the suggestions about the disabled folks and young juvenile hunters, these are good suggestions and I would again recommend you take them to the Master Hunter Advisory Group.
But, as I said in my earlier post, if you didn't register to get into the program this year, you will have to wait at least two years before they open it up again for new applicants.  The reason for this is because the WDFW enforcement and wildlife biologist are not utilizing the Master Hunters to the extent they could, and if they aren't using us, then we don't need to get anymore people in the program.
As for the 3911 unit damage hunts, if you checkout the regs this year and the area, you will find they have changed things.  #1 the unit boundary has changed significantly from the previous years and has been reduced greatly, and #2 they have changed the way the 2nd tag can be used so it reduces the amount of time the MHs have to use that particular tag.
#3 the 3911 hunt is open only to eastside tag holders.  Just because I am a master hunter, doesn't mean I get to hunt that unit either.  I am a westside tag holder, and am not changing just to get in on the 3911 hunt.  So, with that in mind, let's stop and figure this out.  How many MH are we actually talking about getting to hunt in that unit?  Since there are only @1800 MH in the program, and only about 300 of those are actually active Master Hunters, meaning they have a MH card and actually buy a hunting license every year and actively participate in the program, how many does that leave that are actual eastside tag holders and travel to that unit to participate in that hunt.  My guess it we are talking about a very small number that actually bother hunting that area.  With all the negative publicity that hunt has got over the last couple of years, I know of many master hunters that actually stay away from that hunt, just for that reason.  And I'd be willing to bet there are more non-master hunter bowhunters, MLers and rifle hunters that hunt that area, claiming to be master hunters, than actual master hunters.  What's that....those non-master hunters wouldn't do that?  Yah, right.  I personally have caught five different hunters out there in the last year claiming to be master hunters, who in fact were not.  See, that's the other side of the coin, non-master hunters claiming to be master hunters, when they are not.  It happens alot more than you think.  That's ok, because in the next year the licenses will have the Master Hunter number on them, so the officer will no right away if you are in fact a Master Hunter, or a Master Hunter wannabe..

Please understand, the Master Hunter program does not set any of these hunts in the regulations.  That is done entirely by the wildlife side of the house, not the enforcement side of the house.  The Master Hunter program is under Enforcement, not Wildlife.  Don't ask me why; I don't know and not sure it makes much sense that way either.

Just food for thought...

[furbearer365]

BECAUSE YOU DONT WANT TO BE A PART OF IT GIVES YOU NO REASON TO BEAT IT DOWN.

That is a quote from killbilly and is completely insane in my book.  What kind of advice is that.  I know this is a little extreme but just wanting to make a point.  Do you have an opinion about the KKK or the Nazi party.  I would hope to god that you are not a part of them but I guarantee you have an opinion about it.  You make it sound like the people who are not a part of the MH program are not smart enough or have not looked into what it takes to join.  Have you thought about the notion that maybe they did as much or more research about it than you did and decided it simply was for them or maybe didn't believe that the program would work wholeheartedly.  I'm convinced that the ones that are not a member are more ethical and caring about the animals they hunt because like RyanD and i have both said, why should we chase them for 6 months out of the year.  

[Coasthunterjay]

You make it sound like the people who are not a part of the MH program are not smart enough or have not looked into what it takes to join.

THIS IS COMPLETELY UNBIASED BECAUSE IM NOT A MASTER HUNTER.....

maybe thats not what killbilly is saying.......

Maybe he is saying that he Has taken advantage of the program, and is saying that if YOU take advantage of it, then you to can enjoy the fruits of being a MH.....

If not then dont complain about those who put in the work to do so.......

Honestly just sound like a bunch of whinners......SOMEBODY CALL THE WHAMBULANCE........LOL......

[jackelope]

killbilly has never killed an animal in a master hunter type scenario.

[RyanD]

I have spoken what I feel about the program and I did not join the site to fight over the internet becuase we all have the same passion and hobbies but I do feel I need to respond to this:

I'm just curious, where is it us Master Hunters get to ride quads into places others must walk into?  I've never noticed that in any of the "special" hunts we get.  Where is that stated?  Not that I intend to ride my quad in any of those locations.  I'll walk in like everyone else has too.

Now I know for a fact in one MH hunt in Aug and Dec Weyco gives the MH combos to the gates to drive in and hunt?  The rest of the year everyone else is required to follow the non motorized access rule.  I know this is not quads, but would you walk or drive?  Just curious.

[bearhunter59]

That is a quote from killbilly and is completely insane in my book.  What kind of advice is that.  I know this is a little extreme but just wanting to make a point.  Do you have an opinion about the KKK or the Nazi party.  I would hope to god that you are not a part of them but I guarantee you have an opinion about it.  You make it sound like the people who are not a part of the MH program are not smart enough or have not looked into what it takes to join.  Have you thought about the notion that maybe they did as much or more research about it than you did and decided it simply was for them or maybe didn't believe that the program would work wholeheartedly.  I'm convinced that the ones that are not a member are more ethical and caring about the animals they hunt because like RyanD and i have both said, why should we chase them for 6 months out of the year.  

From some of the comments made by some of the non-MHs, it is obvious they haven't researched the program, and really don't have their facts straight.  Now, some of you may have, but my impression from the non-MH posts, is a majority of them have not done the research.

And I politely disagree with your comment that the non-MHs are more ethical and caring about the animals they hunt, than the Master Hunters.  Because, quite frankly, if that was the case, then the WDFW wouldn't have had to come up with a program like this to appease the landowners, and would have been able to use just any joe-smoe hunter.  But, because so many hunters have proven to be unethical, and unlawful, the WDFW had to come up with a program to address the landowner elk problems, and prove the hunters they are using for those hunts are a set above the rest.

The Master Hunter program is not about extra hunts, and the WDFW strongly urges anyone thinking of getting into the program for that reason, to NOT apply.  They can't stop you; but they very strongly discourage it.  That's about all they legally can do.  The motto for the program on the new patches, "Giving Back", states what the new direction and emphasis on the program is about.

Someone, mentioned why doesn't the WDFW build fences to keep the animals out of the properties.  They actually have a fence, and yes there are gaps.  Anthony Navack, the elk damage specialist for that area, puts together many, many work parties every year to build more fence and repair existing fence.  My question to you non-master hunter guys is how many of you have actually volunteered on any of these fence projects, or any WDFW project.
So, why don't you "Give Back", and be part of the solution, instead of part of the problem?

[huntnphool]

I have yet to see the MH on this site justify the moose tag situation, I really would like to hear your thoughts on this guys.

[luvtohnt]

Now I know for a fact in one MH hunt in Aug and Dec Weyco gives the MH combos to the gates to drive in and hunt?  The rest of the year everyone else is required to follow the non motorized access rule.  I know this is not quads, but would you walk or drive?  Just curious.

Personally I would walk. Especially if I am able to hunt during a season when no one else is out. You see more, hear more, and do less damage to the property if you are on foot. But that is just me.

Brandon

[bearhunter59]

Now I know for a fact in one MH hunt in Aug and Dec Weyco gives the MH combos to the gates to drive in and hunt?  The rest of the year everyone else is required to follow the non motorized access rule.  I know this is not quads, but would you walk or drive?  Just curious.

Again, I ask what unit/hunt is that?  And from what you just stated, it sounds like your beef should be with the timber company, and not the Master Hunters or the WDFW.  Private Property owners can open or close their gates to anyone they want, and restrict who goes in, and how they are allowed in there.  Bitch to Weyerheuser!
And the more I think about it, yes, I would probably ride into someplace if I was allowed, versus walking in.  Why?  Because there have been many times I have walked in miles behind closed gates, only to have some yahoo come driving in from the other side, where they have torn down the gate.  So, if some private property owner wants to allow me to drive in, solely because he beleives that I as a Master Hunter, am held to a higher standard than the average hunter, then by all means I will probably drive.  So, if your jealous of my special priviledge granted by the private property owner, take it up with them.

[buck470]

Huntnphool,
It's been awhile since i looked at those, but I believe that is what they are calling a "hunt master" hunt, If you put in for it and get drawn, you can't go hunt unless your called, by the hunt master, IF your called, no gaurantee your phone is going to ring.
And My assumption is that it would be to go shoot/hunt a nusiance moose that other means have not worked to resolve the problems said Moose is causing.


Form the Phamplet (I went back and looked)
MH -This is a nuisance hunt administered by a WDFW designated hunt master. Only master hunters may apply. These hunts will not affect accumulated points; and any weapon may
be used. Successful applicants will be contacted on an as-needed basis to help with specific sites of nuisance moose activity in designated areas. Not all successful applicants will be
contacted in any given year.

[RyanD]

Absolutely no jealousy here!  I don't have a problem harvesting deer or elk during my general seasons on my own two feet.  I already stated I wouldn't hunt this tag if it was given to me.  WDFW has worked a deal with weyco for motorized access.  

I'll walk in like everyone else has too.

?

[huntnphool]

I respect everyones opinion and don't burn crosses. I'm interested in the thought process and attempted justification for handing out tags to MH, regardless if its for a nuisance animal or not, rather than creating a list from those that have been applying for 10+ years and giving them the opportunity. Then on top of that the fact that as a MH you will not forfeit your points or OIL status, to me that is just BS.

[buck470]

Huntnphool

Carrot at the end of a stick??? only my guess (a Moose is a big dam carrot!)

1200 Master hunters, 20 hours volunteer work to get in, an average of 8 hours a year to keep your status.

1200x8= 9600 volunteer hours a year @ say 10 bucks an hour (kinda low) $96,000.00

Now with all the budget cuts, would you want to see that increased if you were a WDFW manager trying to keep your fences repaired, add new fences, clean up areas?
Those are the things I did to get my 20 hours.

[luvtohnt]

  Nuisance? Really? Give me a break!!! There may be 1 or 2 moose out there that are a nuisance to farms but 20? Again give me a break!!! I will be willing to bet anyone that out of those 20 tags not one cow is removed. Are you telling me that it will be only bulls that are creating the nuisance, because more than likely it will be only bulls tagged.

 The idea that they reduced the number of tags for permit applicants just to accommodate the"Master Hunters" really pisses me off, and I've already drawn my tag and can't apply again.

All the hunts designated for MH are for nuisance animals. Again as I stated before the 20 tags are simply so they can make a list of 20 people who would be willing to spend the time and money to drive over to the Spokane area, and cull a moose that is causing extensive damage. Now if no property owners call in and claim damages then no one on the list will be called. I don't know how many complaints are made in that area on a yearly basis, apparently there are allot or a MH application would not be justifiable. I am willing to bet that less than 2 moose are culled using this hunt, and I would also be willing to bet that they will be cows and not bulls.
Area                                                         Species         2008 Tags       2009 Tags
8001  Kettle Range                                   Any Moose             2                  3
8002  Selkirk Mtns. A                                 Any Moose           25                22
8003  Mt. Spokane A                                 Any Moose           12                12
8004  Mt. Spokane B                                 Antlerless Only      14                14
8005  Mt. Spokane Youth Onlya                  Antlerless Only      10                10
8006  49 Degrees North A                          Any Moose           26                 22
8007  49 Degrees North Bb                        Antlerless Only        5                  3
8008  49 Degrees North Cc                        Antlerless Only        2                  2
8009  49 Degrees North Youth Onlya           Antlerless Only        2                  2
8010  Three Forks                                    Any Moose             8                  6      
8011  Hangman A                                     Any Moose            7                   7
8012  Hangman B                                     Antlerless Only        7                  7
8013  Huckleberry Range                           Any Moose             8                   6
8014  Huckleberry Range Bc                       Antlerless Only        new               2
                                                                                        128             118
There are the stats not including the MH hunt. They may have reduced a few more in anticipation of a few moose being taken on nuisance hunts. The tags will increase again as they see how many moose will need to be taken in depredation. They also added a 65 and older hunt with two of those tags. I think that was good.

I respect everyones opinion and don't burn crosses. I'm interested in the thought process and attempted justification for handing out tags to MH, regardless if its for a nuisance animal or not, rather than creating a list from those that have been applying for 10+ years and giving them the opportunity. Then on top of that the fact that as a MH you will not forfeit your points or OIL status, to me that is just BS.

I scratch your back you scratch mine. It's as simple as that. I wish I had some stats on how often a Hunt Master has to call a MH to come and do a nuisance hunt. I will try to find out.

Brandon