Are you a Master Hunter?

[Wetawd]

I got my master hunter kit in the mail a few days ago and am going to start working on the requirements for it.

I was wondering how many of my fellow T.H.R. members are Master Hunters or are most of you of the regular hunter status?

There are advantages to being a Master hunter and I want those benefits because it's even harder to obtain them since the whole system was revamped after the Advanced hunter program.

 

[41magsnub]

Mater hunter? No thanks I prefer to shoot my critters.

I've never heard of this program. Do you have a link?

 

[McCall911]

A little aside: Here in the South, "maters" are "tomatoes." When I read that I was envisioning someone who shot at tomatoes, for some odd reason. (Sorry for the rib. I know it was just a typo.)

But, no, I'm not a master hunter, just a regular hunter and not a very good one at that, unless paper plates and cans are in season.

 

[Wetawd]

Here's the link.

http://www.wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/masterhunter/

 

[Rembrandt]

The Master Hunter program is designed to promote responsible hunting. In addition to training, the program emphasizes safe, lawful and ethical hunting priorities while upholding the highest standards. The program offers an opportunity for conscientious, committed hunters who care about the future of hunting to assume a leadership role among their peers. Through their knowledge and conduct in the field, Master Hunters play a key role in improving relationships with landowners, thus ensuring continued hunter access to private lands.

Benefits
Individuals who successfully complete the Master Hunter program receive a patch and certificate as recognition of their accomplishments. Master Hunters are eligible to participate in special hunts aimed at reducing property damage and/or public safety problems posed by wildlife. Special hunt opportunities vary from year to year, and may include elk, deer and turkey hunts in designated areas throughout Washington.

Training and certification
Those enrolling in the Master Hunter program should be motivated by a genuine desire to learn and model a high level of hunting knowledge and skill. Training is offered through independent study, offering maximum flexibility for candidates.

To become a certified Master Hunter, each applicant is required to:

* Demonstrate proficiency with a bow, handgun, muzzleloader, rifle or shotgun.
* Provide at least 20 hours of volunteer service on a project benefiting state wildlife resources.
* Attend Crime Observation and Reporting Training (CORT).
* Receive a score of at least 80 percent on a written examination, based on provided independent-study materials.
* Submit to a law enforcement background check.
* Sign an agreement to abide by the Master Hunter code of ethics.

All program requirements must be completed within nine months from the date of enrollment.

My guess is the Washington State Game department received funding to implement this meaningless program to pass out "merit badges" for what hunters are already doing. Only twist is they offer special hunt preferences if you volunteer to donate labor to help do their job.

 

[ArmedBear]

I'd sign up.

Sounds like they're using "master hunters" instead of just paying F&G employees to cull animals. I'd love that if we did that here, both as a hunter and a taxpayer.

 

[Wetawd]

Sounds like a state agency received some funding to implement this meaningless program to pass out "merit badges" for what hunters are already doing.

I agree with you 100% but I just couldn't pass up the opportunity at additional hunts and tags.

It is very strict policy on whether you are allowed this status or not. A friend of my dad's went shrimping got his limit and came back in to dock. And a park ranger was there and he hadn't yet marked his tag because of the high seas so his license was revoked. Very very strict policies.

 

[MCgunner]

A little aside: Here in the South, "maters" are "tomatoes."

Wouldn't that be "maters are toe-maters"? ROFLMAO!

I can't shoot a bow worth a crap, right handed and left eyed. I shoot rifles and shotguns southpaw due to right eye blindness and use my left eye shooting right handed with handguns, but I can't coordinate a bow that way and really, I ain't into bows. Primitive as I'll get is my smoke pole, still goes "bang" and not "twang". So, I guess, despite a degree in Wildlife and Fisheries Management and 44 years in the field, I can't be a "Master Hunter", but, then, I really don't care. LOL!

 

[buck460XVR]

I too was wonderin' how paying $20 and donating 20 hours of community service makes one a "Master Hunter". Kinda like buyin' a $20000 motorcycle and a coupla Harley t-shirts makes one a "Master Biker".

It is very strict policy on whether you are allowed this status or not

really? sounds similar to a youth hunter safety program.

To become a certified Master Hunter, each applicant is required to:

* Demonstrate proficiency with a bow, handgun, muzzleloader, rifle or shotgun.
* Provide at least 20 hours of volunteer service on a project benefiting state wildlife resources.
* Attend Crime Observation and Reporting Training (CORT).
* Receive a score of at least 80 percent on a written examination, based on provided independent-study materials.
* Submit to a law enforcement background check.
* Sign an agreement to abide by the Master Hunter code of ethics.

All program requirements must be completed within nine months from the date of enrollment.

 

[Bearhands]

Next thing ya know... the "Master Hunters" <cough> will be getting lower insurance rates..
It's always political LOL.. It almost sounds Pelosiesque.

Plus... I don't "sign" agreements unless I am going to own something.

 

[GRB]

I am a regular, run of the mill, ordinary hunter - as opposed to a slob hunter or a poacher - and guess what - I do most of that stuff already because it is what ethical hunters do and have been doing for decades.

1) Demonstrate proficiency with a bow, handgun, muzzleloader, rifle or shotgun. I have done it with each arm they hve mentioned.


2) Provide at least 20 hours of volunteer service on a project benefiting state wildlife resources. I have done this through my participation in my local herpetological society, and not at the mandate of the state.

3) Attend Crime Observation and Reporting Training (CORT). reporting crime regarding wildlife and hunting has been taught in every hunter safety course I have ever taken. Why should someone attend something more than that, you are not a police officer, nor an agent of the state. remember that you not a civil servant. Going above and beyond what would be expected of the 'regular ethical' hunter is the state seeking uber (as in uber alles) control.

4) Receive a score of at least 80 percent on a written examination, based on provided independent-study materials. I received 100 on the last 2 hunter safety courses I took. In fact on the last one, I was marked with one wrong, and had to point out to 2 adamant instructors that my answer was the correct one and theirs was the wrong choice as per the hunter safety book they gave us to study.

5) Submit to a law enforcement background check. Are you kidding? Don't you see the demise of hunting being set in motion in your state with such a requirement for any type of hunter certification? What does a background check have to do with whether or not anyone can be an ethical hunter.

6) Sign an agreement to abide by the Master Hunter code of ethics. Who wrote this agreement, of what does it consist? How does someone signing such make that person a better hunter than someone who does not sign it yet actually practices better hunting ethics?

Of course you will have to pay more than a "regular" hunter for the great privilege of having to do more, score better, and even give your time and effort to the state as a volunteer, than one of us regular hunters. What a scam!

You had best beware of a state that offers such balderdash certificatons because eventually they will up the price of all licenses by demanding all hunters do likewise, and will up the requirements so that all hunters must abide by these over controllig rules. I don't need to be forced into giving any hours of my time to the state as a volunteer. I volunteer voluntarily, and give my time and effort as I deem fit, not as the state deems fit. I don't need some government bureaucrats to teach me hunting ethics, when I know for a fact I am an ethical hunter already, and have already been taught ethics by the state (as well as by hunting clubs, other hunters, land owners, common courtesy, and by my parents who were not even hunters).

I could go on and on for pages and pages about how bad of a program I beleive this to be. In brief - more state control of hunting in the making in this form is a bad thing. Mark my words because time will tell if I am right on this one. As it stands now, the overall history of government programs akin to this certainly supports what I believe will eventually happen with this kind of certification.

All the best,
Glenn B

 

[qajaq59]

I'm a Hunter.....Period.

Sorry, but I really don't need someone rating me. Master, Regular, or Common, which Regular seems to signify. Good Grief.

 

[Floppy_D]

The only time I like the phrase "Master Hunter" is when it's written in German and in my freezer.

 

[R.W.Dale]

So the state wants to pass out hunting merit badges that allow the user to PAY MORE for a few extra chances to shoot tame wildlife in town.

Pardon me but......

 

[eliphalet]

Depredation hunts seem to work fine here to cull animals. Any licensed hunter can apply.

 

[Clipper]

We could use the patches to identify the guys to avoid. I know several holier-than-thou types who would LOVE those.Remember the quote from 'Steel Magnolias'..."An ounce of pretention is worth a pound of manure".

I bet a lot of 'Master Hunters' have CCW badges, too...

 

[koja48]

I'd never hunt my Mother, nor would I pursue such an option for claim, fame, notoriety, bragging rights, special "opportunities," or to further enhance Wa State coffers. I am, however, a proficient outdoorsman & hunter.

WA State Fish & Game: The epitome of mis-management. Cater to the rich, the Feds (Wahluke Slope is grossly over-regulated, including speed-traps and Fed wardens who "think" they know the rules), "Feel Free To Hunt Areas" devoid of game (it's the opportunity that matters) characterized by cover/food sources scarcely visible ("Oh, the cattle lease must have over-grazed" . . . pheasants, rabbits, ducks, geese, huns, & deer flock to these areas), and lastly a government organization who caters to the Native Americans (I'm part Cherokee, but I ain't "on the dole," so please forget any racist arguments"). . . those "One With Mother Earth" who string an impenetrable mass of monofilament gillnets indescriminate of ALL piscatorial species across the Columbia River in the name of religious significance (carve a canoe, spear, hoop net and have at it) and abandon their fishing platforms in the Yakima River long after the runs have passed (not to worry . . . others will pick-up your trash), and eliminated an entire herd of successful & thriving small herd of elk near Packwood. Cruise thru the res near Yakima sometime to see how "One With the Earth" they are . . . if trash, car bodies, hovels, and dead appliances are any indicator . . . they're shining examples). Master "Something" may be appropriate,but "Hunter Program" just doesn't come to mind. I digress & I really need to learn to let my true feelings out . . .

 

[MCgunner]

Oh, hell, let it out. It makes for a good read.

BTW, small part Cherokee, too (great grandmother). Is there anyone in the country not Hispanic that isn't? ROFL!

 

[koja48]

Welcome, Brother McG . . . had the chance to run their trails several years ago . . . felt good. How you been?

 

[MCgunner]

Me? Workin', waiting on the danged wind to let up so I can get on the bay and catch some fish, runnin' the ol' hog trap, waitin' on uncle George's rebate check and livin' the good life.

Ya know, I always thought it odd when they would call the Cherokee a "civilized tribe" and yet treated 'em most uncivil like. But, I guess if you changed history, I wouldn't be here.

 

[koja48]

Someday (God willing) the human race will become either a) civilized, or b) gone. God Bless, Texan!

 

[keano44]

what are these masters? How do I hunt them?

 

[eliphalet]

Packwood elk gone? Thats sad, tell me it isn't so.
Less than 3 years ago when I was working in that area they were a common sight along HWY 12, in folks yards etc.

 

[koja48]

Go to the west side of the state . . . Olympia to be exact . . . bait with Starbucks double espresso, super mocha latte el-grande, extra taxes (oops, meant extra cream & sugar), a touch of under-the-table, special interest flavors and you'll be in the action.

 

[koja48]

Gone and NO prosecution . . . most were left where they fell.