Should there be a AHE

[dbllunger]

Ice....I am totally amazed at your post in regards to seniors.   I have never really disagreed with your posts, but this one is way off base.  I agree with some of the things you say, but when looking at the totality I feel you are way off base.  How could you even begin to think it is acceptable to take away a persons true love and enjoyment because of some arbitrary decision by another.  I have seen young hunters (under 30) do more stupid/illegal *censored* in the woods then any other age group hands down.  I'm not going on a permanent dislike of what you say as this is simply a area of great disagreement.  Don't take offense buy I feel you are way off on this.  I am sure there are more reasons and explanation as to your feeling and solution, but I felt like like I wanted to reply now.  Thanks

[M_ray]

Ice, I am sure you will feel differently some day. Are you saying you won't have your same passion for the sport and wish to continue doing it as long as you can? I know I will, and right now I can get after it but some day I will welcome the chance to take a poke at a cow elk out of the barn window!

And what better opportunity For youth, disabled and Seniors than the second AHE tag ... that's the best idea I have heard yet.
I think the boundary's need to be changed if they are going to call it a damage hunt how much damage are elk doing on their traditional wintering grounds near the Ginko forrest for instance?

[M_ray]

Another thing Ice you are assuming that everyone who is old hunted their whole life. Take me for instance I am 44 and I started hunting when I was 30 didn't I allready miss some of this great opportunity you speak of?

[Ghost Hunter]

I'm 54, my memory must be what I'm losing first, cause I sure don't remember getting most of the benefits Ice is referring to.  Course maybe I'm not close to being an old timer   My mind says I'm not, and my body may die trying.   Somehow I had the impression the AHE was for promoting hunting and sportsmanship, not splitting the ranks.  Hate to get a sour taste before I even go thru the program.  Getting to be where it's tough to give something back to society, without getting a raft of c##p as to your intentions are, or who deserves what   

[ICEMAN]

Dbllunger, sorry if I offended, (I will probably get a bunch of guff about it, but...)  I am not for taking away someones access or privilege of hunting. I just think that if we have some situation where a special group of hunters are needed to take out some game, than I would rather this "special hunt, damage hunt", whatever...go to young or disabled type hunter, not to a senior hunter who has most probably had many opportunities over his/her life. IE: Some 70yr old guy who has 40 bulls notched in his rifle, really doesnt need the gravy hunt of shooting a cow standing on the otherside of a barbwire fence.

M_ray, good point, not all senior hunters have hunted, didn't consider this in the equation.

Ghost Hunter. From what I have seen and read, AHE is a great way to help hunters gather or refine skills and knowldege about the outdoors, wildlife and hunting. Nothing wrong with that. But, apparently some of the foks who have passed the requirements, have taken advantage of their designation and wandered outside of the "boundaries" of what is considered ethical or legal. Probably only a fraction of bad apples in the crate...

I am guaranteed to lose this arguement, sort of like suggesting we change the pay out on social security for seniors. Real Popular Discussion. (Let the ass whooping begin!)

[M_ray]

Iceman, no A$$ whooping here and it's more of a debate than an argument. But I will agree with you that I would like to see the youth and disabled get first priority. The youths are our stewards of the future and we need them to fall in love with the resource as we have and have great first experiences to back that up. And lets face it you and I have a great advantage over a disabled person ... so you see we can come to an agreement of sorts! 

[mossback91]

Iceman, no A$$ whooping here and it's more of a debate than an argument. But I will agree with you that I would like to see the youth and disabled get first priority. The youths are our stewards of the future and we need them to fall in love with the resource as we have and have great first experiences to back that up. And lets face it you and I have a great advantage over a disabled person ... so you see we can come to an agreement of sorts! 

Yeah soemtimes youth get discouraged when they cant get a deer not saying thats what its all about but it helps create the love for it. I know and hunt with a disabled hunter and he is at a major disadvantage but still wont get the disabled hunter permit. I sort of was a disabled hunter this year not terrible but it changes the whole game plan alot.

[dbllunger]

Ice.. totally agree with youth having these hunts, and to offer them to the disabled, and then to the senior hunters.  I have mentioned it numerous times, but WDFW does not listen or want to put the effort into it.  I personally know a few AHE hunters.  I am not impressed as to the type and overall quality of hunter of the few I know.  One is a stud hard core hunter, but the others I would not go hunting with.  Nice guys but not my idea of what I want to represent as the "premier hunter" of any state.  I have talked to numerous peope and the written test is not very applicable to true hunting situations or hunting in Wa..  What do you expect from the current direction of the WDFW, and the direction it will always take with a Democrat for governer. 

[Slenk]

Just what we need a bunch of gray tops hunting from their trucks.

I take ofence of your remark I am one of those gray top you are refering to and I DAMN SURE DO NOT HUNT FROM MY TRUCK or anyone elses truck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I probably have been hunting longer than you have been alive!!!!!!!!!
POD at your remark!
Slenk

[Slider]

WOW!!! I just had to check my Browser!!! I thought I was at M.M...........................lol

[high country]

Just trying to brainstorm some ideas here high country Sheesh!  Mostly what I've heard in all these AHE threads are whats wrong not how can we fix it. At least you had some ideas. How about the program is so well run that when an alfalfa hunt is available disabled or kids get priority, when it's an urban hunt, hunters that have seriously proven primitive weapon proficiency get priority. On all the other damage type hunts the hunters need to be cycled through. In other words if I shoot a cow, you and everyone else would at least get a call offering the chance, if you can't make it you go to the end of the line. Now I'll go get my bullet proof undies on and wait for the flack! 

the "take a number" approach could work.......BUT then there has to be a babysitter to watch the animals and call the hunters. with the ahe program the dept just relies on the hunters to do both. most land owners with elk problems want the elk gone, but don't want to be pestered at 5am every saturday....it's a tough answer no matter how you look at it.

[tmike]

WOW!  I spend all day trying to get over the pass and look what happens. A pretty complex situation, if it's to be done right. Great game huh?

[billythekidrock]

BUT then there has to be a babysitter to watch the animals and call the hunters. with the ahe program the dept just relies on the hunters to do both

They already have that in some locations.

[high country]

BUT then there has to be a babysitter to watch the animals and call the hunters. with the ahe program the dept just relies on the hunters to do both

They already have that in some locations.

true, but the huntmasters are volunteers. if we revamped to require youth on fence side "A" and general hunters on fence side "B" there would need to be a representative of the dept to make the calls and decisions. you cannot depend on voulenteers to be there every day of the season.

[brutus1]

Here is my 2cents on this AHE.I've been hunting since I was 10 I'm now 46 been in the AHE since 95 or 96.With all the gripping going on here why don't you people join up and have a voice?I have not used any of the AHE hunts but I might.There is alot of bad apples in the program now, but not all of us are.So throwing ROCKS AT ALL OF US is not right.I don't JUDGE U SO DON'T JUDGE ME FOR BEING A MEMBER.IF YOU ARE A PERFECT HUNTER THAN MAYBE THIS PROGRAM IS FOR YOU. THAT IS ALL I GOT TOO SAY ABOUT THIS..