Should there be a AHE

[wackmaster]

What does everyone seriously think.Should there even be a AHE ,or should they open seasons and pemits to the avid hunter.Is it realy fair that AHE should be able to shoot 2 elk when most avid hunters do not even get one.I do not have an AHE card and I am not hunting Illegally.I think the AHE is unfair.There is hardly even any cow pemits given out on the eastside.I say do away with the AHE and open more oppertunity to other people.That is just my opinion.What do you think.

[steeleywhopper]

 I do think that AHE is fair, only because they have given anyone who is willing to put in the time a chance at the extra's. If they chose certain people without giving everyone a shot at it, only then would I think it unfair. It is too bad that background checks and past legal issues were not part of the program earlier. Now we are in a situation where a problem needs to be fixed rather than being able to avoid one.

[billythekidrock]

I think there should be.
The intention of putting people that are willing to go the extra mile in learning, passing up and helping others is good, especially in areas that are populated with people and critters.

But I don't like the fact that people that have already done the work and passed the tests are being kicked out for things that did not eliminate them in the beginning. I also think they should be grandfathered in, and then take the new tests/classes when it is time to renew. If you screw up in between time, then your out.

I also see this as the begining of something bad, like making the hound/depredation hunters and trappers required to do AHE or background checks.

[Cougeyes]

I think there should be a AHE program, but have it better managed.  I absolutely do not agree with issuing two tags to AHE hunters if they successfully kill one cow. The units such as 3911 need to be reduced.  I do not agree with hunting in areas that are nowhere near areas where the tags should really be used (such as farmlands).  Granted elk move from place to place, but how is one to know whether they are targeting the problem animals if they are hunting nowhere near a problem area?  I think this is a way for the state to reduce the elk population which, in the past was their target.  They need to reduce the number of AHE hunters, up the qualifications or "checks" and increase the cooperation with landowners who have problems.  THe landowners with problems are the main reason why this program was instrumented in the first place. 

[Slider]

I say NO!!!No one deserves to harvest two Elk when others go hungry. If they need to have a damage hunt they need to have a state wide draw. Any one that has an unfilled tag should be included!!!

[rackattack]

I agree with Slider.  If they need a damage control, then let them choose a random person out of the unsuccessful general hunters.  Just another good reason to get those reports filled out on time.  Maybe then we wouldn't have to wait until August to see the harvest stats.

[wackmaster]

I  some what agree with what your saying but will it change.Also what if a person does not have the time or know what days they can take off for testing.I had bought the packet and studied and could not get time to take the test.When I called the WDFW they wanted more money for another 90 days.That's BS I have to take a day off work and make an appointment and lose a days pay witch I can,t afford.I don't know maybe a bad experience, or maybe I am crazy. I understand thinning herds,land damage,and all that stuff.Two elk a year isn't fair.Also 6 guy's night time hunting in tampico shot a 5*6 bull elk and one of them were a master hunter.The are all getting convicted.I have also heard about some master hunters dumping bales of hay to bait them in on to property that is open to AHE hunter.

[tmike]

What does everyone seriously think.Should there even be a AHE ,or should they open seasons and pemits to the avid hunter.

So if you eliminate AHE how are you going to define an Avid hunter? Run background checks? Just playing devils advocate here. Sounds to me like they are trying to change the way it has been for hopefully the better.

Also 6 guy's night time hunting in tampico shot a 5*6 bull elk and one of them were a master hunter.The are all getting convicted.

How can you make sure the other 5 who weren't AHE wouldn't fall under the definition of  avid hunter. I think it's pretty complex. The idea is to improve land owner relations so the Average hunter isn't continually locked out of good areas like they are now. AHE, no AHE, landowners are tired of being crapped on! Instead of hearing about what is wrong now or what somebody did, let's here some ideas to make it better.The first thing I think should happen is to manage our wildlife for biological reasons not political ones. What do you think?

[ICEMAN]

Hell, I wouldnt mind if they did a background check on all hunters. Too many guys with warrants are hunting each year. Currently, DFW is licensing illegals, Felons who have no gun rights, etc... I am not saying to deny any guy with a bit of a past from hunting, but to weed out those not allowed to possess, but chose to anyway... Warrants bug me...want them dealt with before guys hunt....show some responsibility...

I know, I am an ass. I also do not relish the idea of another layer for wildlife to screw up either... but hell, they already will not knowingly issue tags  to deadbeat dads....why stop with them.....

[wackmaster]

OK I don't know if the other 5 were even hunters.The master hunter was the one who shot the elk.I would say the avid hunter is the one who buys a hunting license like you or I.How are AHE hunters improving landowner relations buy breaking the law.You want ideas to make it better ,OK let's get rid of the AHE program and any hunter that what a chance to hunt a damage hunt that has not been successful should have a right to harvest an animal.I pick up trash,turn people in breaking the law,I shoot my guns and go to 3-d shoots alot,I do my best to help conserve nauture and the wild.Does that make me any less of a person or hunter.I do not need a card to show people that I am a ethical hunter.Nor should I have to to get equal hunting rights.I agree that we should manage our wildlife better but how can we when every thing is so screwed up.This problem is not just about hunting.alot of it is about money and politics.Maybe our Governor should stop worring about different law to make money and worry about other issues in the state.

[tmike]

Obviously the law breakers aren't helping anyone AHE or not. I think you missed my point. Look I'm not defending the program, I think it needs to serious revisions. Honestly I did the program to increase my opportunities because I don't know any landowners that give me access to great hunting in this state. Same reason I leave my options open on the weapon choice I use.

I pick up trash,turn people in breaking the law,I shoot my guns and go to 3-d shoots alot,I do my best to help conserve nature and the wild.Does that make me any less of a person or hunter.

Hell No! I do the same thing. Does it make me less of a person or hunter because I went through the program?

[ICEMAN]

.....I pick up trash,turn people in breaking the law,I shoot my guns and go to 3-d shoots alot,I do my best to help conserve nauture and the wild.Does that make me any less of a person or hunter.I do not need a card to show people that I am a ethical hunter.Nor should I have to to get equal hunting rights.

I totally agree. Nothing splits up hunters more, than one group getting an advantage over another group. In my opinion, (unless you have violated major laws in the past) I think that all hunter groups should have equal access to our beloved wildlife resources. Personally, I think that the AHE program makes alot of snottynosed hunters out of normal guys.

[klickriverchromer]

who needs master hunters to thin herds, thought the indians were good enough at ruining animal numbers. 

[Ray]

I think the concept of a program is ok. I like the idea that people have incentive to invest their time and effort to wildlife conservation and or hunting.

[Head-shot]

who needs master hunters to thin herds, thought the indians were good enough at ruining animal numbers. 

Ha ha ha, lmao, stoke that fire man