How many archers are Master Hunter quilified?

[Annette]

I was just wondering how many archers have gone threw the program and what do you think abouty it?
Annieoakleaf

[sakoshooter]

Annette,
When the Master Hunter program was first started, I paid the fee, read all the material, completed all the required service hours because of a promise by the WDFW that quality drawing hunts would be available to Master Hunter certificate holders only to be let down when that year's regs came out so I didn't take the test to complete my certs. I did let the WDFW know how I felt at that time though.
Years later with another promise by the WDFW that the Master Hunter program was going to be completely revamped and great drawing hunts would be available, I paid the fee again, read all the material again which had become much more lengthy and completed all the required service hours again only to be vey let down again by the hunts available to apply for so I didn't take the test again.
I am in favor of what the WDFW was trying to do when they started this program but something's been lost over the years.
Antlerless Whitetail tags in NE WA is not interesting to me nor to any of my hunting party. Long drive, lots of gas money for a little doe doesn't get me excited.
I've heard that there are damage hunts and opportunities that pop up that only Master Hunters qualify for but this should be public knowledge if it's true not some secret that happens behind closed doors that we hear about via rumor control.
Just my 2 cents

[Dan-o]

Well,

I'm Master Hunter Qualified but I don't usually hunt archery.

I really liked the extra opportunity for  a while, but my old areas were cut out 2 years ago and I haven't found as good areas to replace them yet.

I think the program leaders are pretty clear that the extra hunting opps are not about quality/trophy hunts but about damage control hunts where a little extra skill/discretion/accountability is needed.  There are some decent damage hunts that can be offered, but most are on as "as needed" basis.   For instance, I drew a late tag for the area around E-Berg this year, but I can't just go.  I need to be contacted by a damage hunt coordinator......   if the need arises.   Most of those hunts aren't too conducive to archery tackle.   However, on a AHE damage hunt, you can hunt modern even with an archery tag... (waiting for somebody to flame me on that one, but it's true.   The object is to remove problem animals.....   :-).

Best of luck.

Dan 

[Annette]

Thank you SK





Thank you Sako and Dan, I've been watching the program for 20 yrs or so and wanted some input. Anyone else willing to give us your  ??

[wonder]

I'm master hunter qualified since 2008 and also an archery hunter.  Went through the program and learned quite a bit on overall hunting, ethics, rules & regulations, techniques, etc.  I think it's a worth while program but went into it with maybe a different idea on why I was doing it and what I expected once completed.  I have a young son that I'd like to get involved in bowhunting and thought it would give me some extra tools and possibly give me some exposure to other types of hunting and meet some other ethical hunters too.

Getting access to special hunts and additional perks weren't why I went into the program.  It would be nice if they came my way but so far they haven't but I don't worry about it. I enjoy hunting and being out in the woods so I thought it would be good experience. I would recommend taking the course just to learn more about the sport.  That's my 

[Instinct]

I'm curious, what exactly is a master hunter? What's the diff between master and reg hunts

[gjbruny]

I'm curious, what exactly is a master hunter? What's the diff between master and reg hunts

right now....... it is no more than a Tax. but what are we to expect...... we live in a state that has REAL potential, but is known for a fish and wildlife department that manages it's HUNTERS instead of it's WILDLIFE. sad but true. jmo

[Annette]

I'm curious, what exactly is a master hunter? What's the diff between master and reg hunts

Anyone want to anser this??

[MADMAX]

Master hunter is a designation given to graduates of the AHE course.
I'm also an AHE grad since 1996, the only one in my group that hunts together, I take lots of crap over the "master hunter" thing, when I first started it there were incentives such as the Margaret AHE bull hunt, now the hunts are dwindling to cow hunts, one area near Quinault and some doe hunts and a couple more, the course centers a lot on the stewardship of the land which I'm all for, but the areas I like to hunt are owned by Weyerhauser and they practice stewardship by lockout and walk horse or bike in, no problems there.

I went to put in for a hunt and missed the timeline for renewing my certificate, there was no grace period given and the folks I spoke to and emailed in Olympia said I would need to take the entire course over again and also do "eyes in the woods".
To me it was not worth it to do it over again even after having it for 15 years , so I let it lapse.
My 2-cents

[sakoshooter]

 I have an Eyes In The Woods certificate or C.O.R.T. certificate. I also feel I've been a steward of the resource for years.  I don't need a card stating I am.
The Master Hunter program needs to be re-vamped with hunters and game in mind. Right now it's a joke.
Sorry to hear you expired Madmax. Actually that sounds pretty stupid if you ask me. My basic Hunter Ed cert doesn't expire. Why would a Master Hunter cert expire. Dumb. That's our WDFW for ya.

[Bob33]

More information can be found here: http://wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/masterhunter/index.html

[Annette]

Thanks guys, So far it sounds like they need to have better incentives and not have any expiration date? Do they distribute the oppertunities fairly?

[MADMAX]

Good info Bob
Sako, I have no problem recertifing, but they don't send you anything saying hey you need to re certify, so I forgot and sh*t happens.
Annette
Its no longer really permit wise that great an opportunity for anything other than being a good steward, my opinion only and I did get drawn for the Margaret AHE hunt in 96, but it has since been axed.

[Bob33]

Here is a recent article about some Master Hunters in the North Bend area:
http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/east_king/svr/news/111065774.html