Post by: oneshot on January 23, 2008, 03:58:25 PM
Post by: WAcoyotehunter on January 23, 2008, 04:02:55 PM
Post by: billythekidrock on January 23, 2008, 04:31:48 PM
Post by: tmike on January 23, 2008, 05:28:13 PM
Post by: tmike on January 23, 2008, 05:34:37 PM
Post by: sisu on January 23, 2008, 08:01:52 PM
I think that most of the folks that have done it are good people. The program is flawed and will be a very exclusive club in the future. I think the idea is good but the execution could be alot better.
Is this the Master Hunter Certification but with a new name?
Billy,I bold and underlined a section of your statement what does it mean? In other words can you explain this because I am lost sometimes by all the stuff that goes around in this state with regards to game laws, titles etc.
Post by: billythekidrock on January 24, 2008, 06:02:01 AM
Post by: Skyvalhunter on January 24, 2008, 07:02:08 AM
Post by: Crunchy on January 24, 2008, 06:50:37 PM
Post by: Drop Tine on January 25, 2008, 05:20:45 PM
Post by: Cougeyes on January 25, 2008, 06:25:52 PM
Within upper Kittitas county there aren't many places that elk can cause harm to agriculture land because there is very little of it. People are killing elk that 1) are most likely not the cause of land degredation and 2) killing them in areas that don't even border lands in which the elk could cause harm to. I believe the unit is 3911 and has really increased. The elk have too much pressure on them from August through January. Just think of the energy expenditure that they must endure, their energy reserves are being decreased from people constantly pressuring them through winter activities and hunting purposes.
I see this program as a great way to manage the elk that due cause the land degradation problems,in those specific areas of emphasis, I think they should really reduce the hunting zones. I would like to see master hunters only be able to kill elk or deer that are on landowners properties that have continuous land degradation due to wildlife.
Post by: boneaddict on January 27, 2008, 06:53:24 AM
Post by: tmike on January 27, 2008, 09:27:47 AM
Post by: Dansk on January 27, 2008, 10:55:12 AM
They send you a bunch of pamphlets and photocopies of literature from around the states. Most things I already knew, but the habitat, biology, and ethics sections were good. I have also applied for the AHE tags every year but have only drawn once in 5 years- it was a 'we'll call you if we need you' hunt, and the phone never rang. I have also hunted extensively in 3911, YTC, and surrounding areas all season (aug-jan) will no luck. Very little public area available to hunt- and I scoured the ownership maps for a long time. It was TOUGH getting permission from private owners- even in the off months. It seemed people didn't care if you were AHE, VIP, CIA, BFD,.... all they hear is 'elk' and 'hunting' and consider it bad juju (maybe it was my old Nader for Prez hat I was wearing, or my cut-off Bellevue Rocks t-shirt??). I've read some bad stories of prosecuted AHE poachers (EWash Locals even) so the bad rep doesn't suprise me.
The volunteer part was really good - spent some time with the local RMEF chapter out of Wooley improving habitat up the Nooksack. That was fun- and met a great group of people.
It would be a GREAT program for anyone who knows property owners in the Kittitas, Wenas, and Yakima areas, or if you are new to hunting and didn't grow up learning about hunting/habitat/ethics from your dad or Grandpa (like me).
I am glad I did it, but don't think I'm going to waste any of my 4 draw choices on those AHE tags anymore.