Regional News

WDFW extends deadline to apply for Master Hunter Advisory Group

Dec 18, 2014

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife has extended the deadline to apply for membership on the department’s Master Hunter Advisory Group (MHAG) through Jan. 9.

Dave Whipple, WDFW hunter education division manager, encourages certified master hunters in Washington – especially those on the east side of the state – to apply for six positions on MHAG coming open next year.

The initial application period ended Nov. 30.

“We have received a good number of applications from western Washington, but we’d like to hear from more master hunters on the east side,” Whipple said. “The advisory group is designed to represent master hunters statewide.”

The 15-member volunteer group advises WDFW on issues and opportunities affecting master hunters and the Master Hunter Permit Program (MHPP). Five newly 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 should reside within each of the six WDFW administrative regions.

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.

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

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.

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.