Master Hunter Program

[dolph46]

Any opinions on the Master Hunter Program in WA? I started it a few years back and became totally frustrated with the curriculum and red tape!

[GregU]

As a current member I think it is better at present then it has been in the last few years. Lots of people I talked too at first didnt want hunters on their property but I was able to repair broken relations between several landowners and the hunting community. However too many people join because they think it is an easy way to get drawn for special hunts.

[BOWHUNTER45]

THIS PROGRAM SUCKS!!!!!!!! What makes them a master hunter... Just because they went threw the dept. programs.. Well let me say this , I live in Skagit Co. and I just lost my hunting area to the master hunter program.. I am pissed...The Dept. made a damage elk season last for 3 months to bowhunters which was open many years past from OCT 1ST THRU 31 ST ...This lead to way to many hunters in an open area and things went bad because a herd of elk was surrounded in a farmers field and arrows flew.... Now this area is nothen but OPEN FIELDS where everyone can see you and that particular day everyone was watching including a photographer who pasted all the killing on the internet.. The dept. made it sound like it was all the bowhunters fault and closed the season down. Now it is all master hunters who will be hunting this area AND I CAN NOT WAIT TO SEE HOW THIS GOES...........

[jackelope]

this ought to be a great thread.

 

[CP]

It’s just a higher level of hunter education and making the cut just takes some effort.

The individual hunts are only as good as they are run.  For example the late goose season in SW WA is run very well, should be used as an example for all high visibility hunts.

[Skinnyman]

I had been thinking about it for awhile and finally decided to do it last year (spring 2009). Took about a month and a half to get it all done. The hardest part in my opinion (just because of the time involved) is the volunteering. Which isn't that bad, I did mine at Bob Oke Pheasant farm (Centrailia) and thought it was a lot of fun. Other than that, as long as you complete all of the reading (and study a little), know the regs pretty well, the test isn't too difficult. You definatly need to know what is in ALL of the reading material though.

I am not sure about the red tape you are talking about, I thought it was pretty straitforward. It isn't that difficult, it just takes a little dedication, and some time.

I encourage you to try it again!! We are already past the application deadline (Feb 15th), so if you didnt get your app in this year you will have to wait until next January.