Monday, January 12, 2009

Orientation meetings for Master Hunter applicants

 
Best RThe Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) and its Master Hunter Advisory Group are offering orientation classes in February for those interested in enrolling in the 2009 Master Hunter program.

The orientation meetings will focus on the Master Hunter program application process, requirements for certification and the role of the master hunter. Participants may apply for the program after the meetings and will receive packets and study materials to take home, said Mike Kuttel, WDFW Master Hunter policy lead. No pre-registration is required.

The following meetings are open to the public and will be held:

  • Feb. 14, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the West Valley Fire Department in Yakima,
    10000 Zier Road. Take the Nob Hill Blvd. exit off I-82; turn left onto 72nd Ave. and right onto Zier Road.
  • Feb. 21, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Inland Northwest Wildlife Council headquarters in Spokane, 6116 North Market Street.
  • Feb. 28, from 1 to 4 p.m. in Room 172 of the Natural Resources Building (NRB) in Olympia, 1111 Washington Street, off Capitol Way. Directional signs are posted in NRB parking lots.

The Master Hunter program is a voluntary program sponsored by WDFW.  Formerly known as the Advanced Hunter Education program, the new Master Hunter program has been redesigned to promote the highest standard of hunter ethics and help ensure continued hunting opportunity in the future. Master hunters participate in controlled hunts to eliminate problem animals that damage property and/or threaten public safety. In addition to providing certification, the program emphasizes safe, ethical, responsible, and lawful hunting practices.

The deadline for enrolling in the 2009 Master Hunter program is March 31. Details on the program and enrollment procedures are available at http://wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/masterhunter/ . egards,
Capt. Jerry Brown
Columbia River Fishing
http://www.columbia-river-fishing-guide.com
206-920-2428