Regional News

Members sought for Master Hunter Advisory Group

Nov 04, 2014

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is accepting letters of interest through Nov. 30 for membership on the department’s Master Hunter Advisory Group (MHAG).

The group, which represents master hunters statewide, advises WDFW on issues and opportunities affecting master hunters and the Master Hunter Permit Program (MHPP).

Six volunteer positions will be opening on the 15-member group early next year. Five appointed members will serve three-year terms, and one will serve a one-year term. All appointees must retain their certification status during their entire term.

The group’s bylaws state that at least two advisory group members must reside within each of the six WDFW administrative regions. Letters of interest will be accepted from applicants residing in:

Region 1 (Ferry, Stevens, Pend Oreille, Lincoln, Spokane, Whitman, Walla Walla, Columbia Garfield, and Asotin Counties) – one vacancy
Region 2 (Okanogan, Chelan, Douglas, Grant, and Adams counties) – one vacancy
Region 5 (Lewis, Cowlitz, Clark, Skamania, Klickitat, and Wahkiakum counties) – one vacancy
Region 6 (Clallam, Jefferson, Grays Harbor, Mason, Kitsap, Pacific Thurston, and Pierce counties) – one vacancy
Any county in the state – two vacancies

Applicants for membership on the advisory group are asked to explain 1) why they want to be a MHAG member, 2) what qualifies them to be a member, and 3) how they can help achieve the group’s goals.

Letters of interest must include contact information (phone numbers, email address, mailing address, county of residence, and include permission for WDFW to conduct a criminal background check, at no cost to them. The letters should be sent to Tracy Loveless at Tracy.Loveless@dfw.wa.gov or to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Wildlife Program, Master Hunter Section, Attn: Tracy Loveless, 600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA 98501-1091.

The application process is open to all certified master hunters with no ongoing legal proceedings or convictions in the last 10 years under the state’s fish and wildlife enforcement code.

After letters of interest are reviewed, candidates may be contacted and interviewed by current members of the MHAG.

Interested master hunters are advised to thoroughly review the MHPP webpage at http://wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/masterhunter/.

The MHAG meets at least four times per year, usually in Ellensburg. Members serve as volunteers and do not receive direct compensation, but mileage reimbursement is provided by WDFW to attend meetings. Members can expect to donate 75 to 100 hours of their time annually.