Master Hunters VOICE LOUD AND CLEAR!!!

[boneaddict]

Probably make a few enemies too.  

[rasbo]

Probably make a few enemies too.  

you aint right bone

[buck470]

Probably make a few enemies too.  

Sometimes that happen's! oh well.... water off a ducks back.

[buckhorn2]

Guess might as well throw my 2 cents in the  pot. As far as master hunters the guys hunting behind my house were very repectful and were curtious. The land they were hunting doesnt belong to me they just have to pass through or park in my yard to access it. The thing that bothers me and other friends who hunt the same area is the lenght of the season. It is a damage hunt that is supposed to keep elk off the cranberry bogs but the hunting is going on about 4 or 5 miles from the nearest bog and on top of a hill besides. They chase these elk clear into the end of febuary and that is what bothers me. I personally think this is to long of a season and some restrictions need to be placed on it. I asked a game warden about how far from the bogs they were hunting and he said elk can walk a long ways and some of them might get in the bogs. I have lived here for over thirty years in this house and I know where the elk live and how they get from one place to another and it;s not the herd they are chasing. If it;s ethical hunting and management then someone needs to think of the elk and the stress a season as long as this puts on them.

[bearhunter59]

Well, from the looks of the responses on this board, and what I know is coming down the line, you bitchers and whiners may get your way yet.  The WDFW will probably not be opening enrollment into the program for the next 2 years.  So, if your aren't already one, or didn't enroll this year when enrollment was open, then you won't get your chance to get in for another two years...at least.
And, you should really heed Richards advise and learn something about the program before you start your bitchin and whinin, because with your lack of knowledge about the program, that is all it comes off as...bitchin and whinin'.
1) Changing the name has been brought up, and the MHAG is looking into coming up with a different name.  The program isn't about hunting, it's about conservationism, and being a tool for the department to use.
2) It is not about "extra" hunting tags or privledges; it is about using resources(ie...the hunter) in sensitive locations, where a higher degree of proficiency and ethics is needed.
3) Do you really believe that the MH is the only ones that are hunting the animals in the August to Feb timeframe?  Let's see we have the early Archery, early ML, regular rifle, late ML, late Archery....hmm, maybe we should eliminate the early and late seasons?   Would that make you happier?  I don't think so, but it would address your concern about the animals being chased so long.

There are a lot of things the WDFW would like to be able to handle differently, but they not only have to appease all of us whiney hunters, but those bambi-lovin', tree-huggin' land owners too.  (Oooh, the elk are tearing up my yard and fence, but don't shoot them...just pay me money...)

For those of you who keep referring to Master Hunter incidents from years past should really learn something about the program before you start bitchin' about it.  The program was froze in mid-07, to undergo a complete revamping.  Part of that revamping had to do with getting the WACs and RCWs changed so the WDFW could legally kick the felons out of the program.  And they had to get the RCW changed again this year to get it so even a fishing violation gets you removed from the program.  Before, it was just game violations that could get you removed.  They tried to create a Peer Review board to kick MH out of the program that had done something unethical, or just plained looked bad in the publics eye, (but wasn't an actual game violations),but the State Attorney General said it was illegal, so we can't have one.

I can tell you, if you really, truly know of a Master Hunter, presently in the program that has game violations (within the last 10 years), give Mike Kuttel a call, and he will get them removed.  Got an issue with the Master Hunter program, contact any one of the 15 Master Hunter Advisory Group members, and voice your concerns with them.  These guys are just regular guys off the street, like you or me, and want to make the program the best it can be.

So, far, I haven't really seen anything in any of these bitchin' posts that clearly states a real problem with the program.  It's kind of funny to me, to read on here, all you guys bitchin' and whinin' about the requirements of the program, but haven't read anything from anyone of you about having to pass a Hunter Ed class, just to be able to get a license in this state.  Granted, if born before 79(?), you don't have to take the class. Or, let see, some of you have used the argument, "what other state has this type program?"  Well, a lot of the states require you pass a Hunter Safety course before you can get a license...regardless of what age you are or when you were born.   Maybe Washington state should be like them too, huh?  How many of you then would be able to even get a license.  I mean...."IT'S NOT FAIR....WHHAAAAA, I've been hunting 20+ years, and haven't killed anyone, so why should I have to take a hunter ed course?
By the way, I am a Master Hunter!!!
For those of you that are bitchin' about the Master Hunter program, here's a thought....Build a bridge, and get over it!!   Whhhaaaaa, you bunch of whiners, anyway...

[boneaddict]

   Amazing post.  You managed to use the word bitching how many times.  As for your revamping you are talking about, don't you think such a program would have the ability to track the abusers

The program was froze in mid-07, to undergo a complete revamping.  Part of that revamping had to do with getting the WACs and RCWs changed so the WDFW could legally kick the felons out of the program.  And they had to get the RCW changed again this year to get it so even a fishing violation gets you removed from the program.  Before, it was just game violations that could get you removed.  They tried to create a Peer Review board to kick MH out of the program that had done something unethical, or just plained looked bad in the publics eye, (but wasn't an actual game violations),but the State Attorney General said it was illegal, so we can't have one.

or does it take a nark to get it done.   The guy that I was referencing in the past got in just fine even after he flunked the test twice.  This is your creme of the crop.   and I don't need a bridge, I put my chest waders on and am up to my neck in it even if its a cesspool I am crossing. 

[boneaddict]

If oyu happen to be such a proponent of the program lets hear why.

[rasbo]

you just removed any thoughts I might have about enrolling

[JohnB]

I don't really have an opinion on the MH program as far as good or bad. All I know is that for a group that prides themselves on ethics i sure find a lot of them on POSTED private property that haven't asked permission.

[buck470]

John B,
It's everyones responsibility to turn these people in, Everyone has to admit there are Slob hunters out there, 99% of the time these are the people get us bad Publicity. Why not Weed them out, and Some of these Slob's Have an IQ and work there way into the MH Program, they Need Weeded out even worse, because we are suppose to be "Above the Rest", I'm not saying I'm better than anyone else, but because I'm in the Program, I'm suppose to be. As far as Ethic's and Law abiding.

I know that gonna get me in trouble, but not sure how else to word it??

[WOODS]

If you remember taking the original hunters safety course........ the State of Washington declares " hunting is a privilege, not a right". This is a test question in the beginners course. The liberal agenda is spelled out in the first few pages of the new hunting regulations by the Director of WDFW. They claim seasons to be shorter due to money problems. So tag prices will increase and programs, plus
 seasons must be cut. The master hunter program is a control tool for the WDFW. Its cheaper to control and monitor 10 persons than 1000. Limit hunters access and still show that there is control over habitat and natural resources to the public. Honest, ethical people have taken the  Master Hunters course and jumped threw a unknown political agenda. Their work is admirable however the powers that be are useing them for more and more control. Public rights going to a special few is elitist. They start with small control regulations like safety locks on your guns
and tell you that you are only ethical if you take this safety class and register your gun. You wake up the next day at Starbucks thinking you need to hug a tree and recycle your toilet paper.

[boneaddict]

well put

[woodswalker]

Amen Murphy....esp THIS part: "If we don't get our S**t together and start acting and showing responsibility and ethics in our sport we are going to be the last of a dying breed."

I have to say I went through the MH last year. It took a bit of work to complete but I did. I admit that one of the reasons I went through it was for the special hunts as well as learning more about all aspect's of hunting and wildlife and ethics. But my thinking has changed somewhat since I have completed it and I have no plans in putting in for any of the special hunts.

I have instead discovered that I like volunteering some of my time to helping clean up some of our areas so we can all be able to hunt in them instead of being locked up during hunting season. Also I want to help give all of us hunters a better reputation on our state so that we don't lose our right to Hunt and Fish. I also have gotten involved in a couple organizations that help me meet other like minded folks that are working for the same thing. I want my Son and grandsons to be able to go out and hunt and fish and do the kinds of things that I have had the privilege to experience in my life so far.

If we don't get our S**t together and start acting and showing responsibility and ethics in our sport we are going to be the last of a dying breed. What really chaps my ass is the whiners that don't have the gumption to get out and do a little work to keep our wildlife and lands in order and earn the possibility of maybe getting an extra hunt that they otherwise would not. And helping sustain our wild life and lands for our children. Why do you guys bitching about the MH think that you should have this privilege just handed to you while others do the work to earn it if they so desire. What the hell is wrong with you? This is the reason our great country is in the mess it is in everyone wants something for nothing. Ok I am of my soap box now.

[WDFW-SUX]

I dropped out of the clown show this year..........Ive got some stories though

[bbarnes]

This subject seems to be getting allot of attention, now all someone needs to do is post all the opportunity's.I want to see this years reg opportunity's posted then the real debate will follow.Post the unit the time allowed, time of year and total days the
M H get verse the rest of the 277,000 hunters paying the bills here.B Barnes keeping the
public lands public and still not asking for any extra opportunity's


P.S. we need to hear the stories