Master Hunters VOICE LOUD AND CLEAR!!!

[goiamo]

Shame on you!  Shame on the critics of this program who have not researched the background of the program and the hunting opportunities.  To know whether the program is any good, you need to understand the purpose.  If you don't like the purpose, or the implementation, you should address the people who can make changes before bad-mouthing the program to even your friends, much less a bunch of anonymous strangers on a blog.  There are probably a few anti-hunting -  humanity apologists smart enough to get online here, and they must be gloating to see this vicious in-fighting.

I have been a Master Hunter for several years, but I have not used that status to harvest any animal yet, nor have I used it to apply for special permits.   So, that is my disclaimer.

If you think, as has been implied in some of these posts, that Master Hunters are supposed to be the place to prove who is the "best" hunter, you have completely missed the point.  Master Hunters are supposed to be partners with the Department of Fish and Wildlife to help manage wildlife, report violations, and enhance habitat.  In doing so, Master Hunters are expected to uphold the highest standards of ethical behavior and present a positive image of hunting to the non-hunting public.

Many of the locations for the "special hunts" are in politically sensitive locations, in view of the general public and/or on private lands where hunting has been very limited by the owner.  I am not aware of any of these being "trophy hunts," but the opportunity to take a "trophy" animal exists on some (just like general tags).  It would be nice to have some confidence the person harvesting the "trophy" isn't going to tie it to his hood and display it at all the elementary schools.

Which raises my next point.  No program is perfect (as demanded by at least one post).  There are people who chose to become Master Hunters for the wrong reasons, just as some people chose a career for the wrong reasons.  That does not make the career invalid, nor does it invalidate the Master Hunter program.  Indeed, the Master Hunter program is addressing this issue in two prongs: 1. recruiting suitable hunters to participate in the program; and 2. establishing rules to remove violators from the program.  You can help by reporting violations, whether committed by Master Hunters or anyone else.

The hunts for nuisance animals are focused on removing the offending animals, not the concepts of fair chase.  After all, this program is to help the WDFW who deal with complaining citizens, not to prove hunting prowess.  To the person who doesn't believe moose are a nuisance, I suggest some more time getting to know the Spokane Valley.  WDFW was herding or transferring up to 5 moose per day out of residential areas of Spokane County this winter.  That situation is dangerous and expensive.  Few of those effected would argue that a "trophy" animal could not be a nuisance.

This blog can be a valuable tool for hunters to unify and address the important challenges facing our common interests.  Unfortunately, it is easier to unite against something that in favor of something.  We should have learned by now that the easier way is seldom the correct way to proceed.  Vent your frustrations with enough privacy to avoid giving aid and comfort to the enemies of hunting and angling.

The Master Hunter program is not perfect.  So, learn about the program, it's purpose,  benefits, and short-comings, and make recommendations for improvements to the WDFW and the Master Hunter Advisory Group.  The program continues to evolve, and together we can make it better.  Together we can prove that hunting and poaching bear the same relationship as shopping and armed robbery.  Together we can improve hunting opportunities for everyone.

--Richard G. Mathisen

[boneaddict]

Welcome goiamo.

Dirty topic as usual, but you made some great points Richard.   Some simple recommendations that might help in this programs success.

one...very simple, change the name.   As simpleton as that seems, master or being the master of something implies superiority.  That will rub many the wrong way.

two....screen its members a little better.  I know of at least one masterhunter that has just renewed that has more game violations thatn any other person I know.  I can't believe he qualifies and it blows me away.  This immediately puts doubt on th eprogram.   I believe this could also weed out some of those that would be likely no commit further violations such as hunting the park near vantage etc.  Supposedly a master should be able to read a map.  The guy I am refering too shot a year two years ago on one of these tags in the wrong unit 3 miles from where he was supposed to be, on private land behind a no trespassing sign from his vehicle.  Not the sort of image this program needs.

Three......I would suspect any OIL species being listed as a damage control hunt for this particular program.  That would be like shooting the Swakane sheep because they keep causeing vehicle damage.  Also not a good image for the program. 
I am no way putting this program down as I believe some of it has merits, but am offering suggestions so that we are not fodder for the antis that you have mentioned.

[huntnphool]

Hi Richard,  Welcome to the site, I look forward to hearing more of your views from that side of the fence. I agree with most of what you said but there is one point you made that has been a thorn in my foot for a long time.

in view of the general public and/or on private lands where hunting has been very limited by the owner.

In my not so humble opinion, the land owner that "very limits" or in most cases denies access to his/her land, that our game animals are damaging, will get no sympathy from me and should not get financial reimbursement, compensation or preferential treatment. You purchase land where game animals live and graze, deny access to hunters and then claim hardship, you made your bed now lay in it. To me its no different than those that build their homes on the edge of a river or in a flood plain and then whine and look for handouts when the river floods.

Perhaps I'm way off base, if so I apologize, maybe you can point out what I'm missing?

[Crunchy]

Well put Goiamo.  And welcome.

[boneaddict]

Nope, thats a thorn in my side too.  Kind of like the SIlver Dollar, who denies access then gets tags from teh WDFW and sells them at 5,000 a pop.   I call BS  then has damage control hunts (probably by master hunters) for the cows. 

[Alchase]

Shame on you!  Shame on the critics of this program who have not researched the background of the program and the hunting opportunities...... 

The Master Hunter program is not perfect.  So, learn about the program, it's purpose,  benefits, and short-comings, and make recommendations for improvements to the WDFW and the Master Hunter Advisory Group.  The program continues to evolve, and together we can make it better.  Together we can prove that hunting and poaching bear the same relationship as shopping and armed robbery.  Together we can improve hunting opportunities for everyone.

--Richard G. Mathisen

That is a great post!
I do not know enough about the Master hunter Program to make a judgement if it is good or bad, but I believe we all could learn something by taking this advice to heart.
Thank you Richard G. Mathisen

Welcome to this site.

[goiamo]

If a landowner denies all access, they are not eligible for reimbursement for crop damage.  The delicate balancing act comes in at determining how many need to access, and who they are.  Often, the landowners operate on the friends and family plan (long before the cell phone companies thought of it).  On the other hand, a "free-for-all" takes all control of the land away from the owner, and that isn't fair either.  

Some of those Master Hunters I mentioned, who joined for the wrong reasons, have the access where others cannot get it, but joined the program to access the tags.  That is what led to the huge black eye for the program and hunting in general on the hunt near Cheney several years ago.  Now there is a screening for hunting convictions and a way to take away the Master Hunter status for violations.  The tricky part here is trying to establish a legally defensible system for drumming out the ethical violaters who commit no crimes, slob hunters.  I know the Master Hunter Advisory Group is struggling with this issue, but the answers are not easy to come by.

--Richard

[oneezreiter]

Richard, welcome to the sight and thank you for your voice.  I do not know much about the program but you present a well thought out argument that makes sense.  It is nice to hear why the program is in place and that it is trying to get better.

[buck470]

Richard, thank you, as a fellow master hunter, I agree the Name needs to be changed, the program needs further help, but bitching about it isn't going to fix anything.
There are actually Quite a few people on here that i'd like to see join the program, if they walk the talk, reading allot of the posts on here there are some very knowledgable, ethical people on here that would do this program some good, not sure what is keeping them from joining? the stink the program caries from the past or just the name it's self.
I've tried to do my part, as far as cleaning up the program, there were several people in a particular area that have been causing problems under the Master hunter status, and i've made the appropriate calls when ever i've seen them in action. Had some long conversations with people in Enforcement, but they are still in. I'm looking forward to turning them in again next year, until there out or change there way's. I also will be doing more to educate the land owners on the Effects of turning these people in, one voilation and there out! People seem to tolerate there behavior to a point, if they knew that one violation would get them removed, maybe they would be more apt to report them.

[boneaddict]

not sure what is keeping them from joining?

I already volunteer my time picking up garbage.  I already am eyes in the woods, I don't need the extra hunts it provides.  I am already a steward for wildlife.  I think its incentive enough to do those things on my own so that my kids have a future without having to be repaid somehow.  I don't like what the name represents, and I don't want to be part of something that has limited standards and allows rifraf to take advantage of things.   I know a couple guys that do it justice but I know more that are worthless that take advantage. 

[rasbo]

not sure what is keeping them from joining?

I already volunteer my time picking up garbage.  I already am eyes in the woods, I don't need the extra hunts it provides.  I am already a steward for wildlife.  I think its incentive enough to do those things on my own so that my kids have a future without having to be repaid somehow.  I don't like what the name represents, and I don't want to be part of something that has limited standards and allows rifraf to take advantage of things.   I know a couple guys that do it justice but I know more that are worthless that take advantage. 

x2   except I dont know anyone thats in the master hunter program..

[workstohunt]

Thank you Richard. Nice post.
I can see most of the people complaining have not researched the program or been to any of the informational meetings put on by the WDFW.

[buck470]

Bone and Rasbo,

Nothing says you have to accept any "reward" so take the test, and try and change the problem from with in? Probally make a few extra friends along the way?

The program could use some more " ethical sportsmen" to help change things around.

(I won't tell anyone your a "Master Hunter") attempt at humor

[Crunchy]

buck470,
Great idea, lord knows they are both very outspoken, of course in a good way

[rasbo]

Bone and Rasbo,

Nothing says you have to accept any "reward" so take the test, and try and change the problem from with in? Probally make a few extra friends along the way?

The program could use some more " ethical sportsmen" to help change things around.

(I won't tell anyone your a "Master Hunter") attempt at humor

well at least I know its not you or crunchy ignoring me..I will ponder this some more