ODFW Master Hunter info

[jmw22]

Anyone know about these hunts offered specifically for ODFW certified Master Hunters:

638A Lower Crooked River Ag (deer)
823B N Bank Habitat (deer)
210F Lower Columbia (elk)
214H Salmon River Estuary (elk)

Also, I would like to get some advice and info about the program from people too see if it is worth to go through with the training...Thanks

[Dogfish]

Hi Jeff,

I don't know anything about Oregon's Master Hunter program, or those hunts, but I have done the AHE (Advanced Hunter Ed) program up in Washington.

The program was helpful to me in that I learned a few things thta I didn't already know about how hunters imact wildlife, not just the obvious things, and the volunteer projects were interesting to complete.

Other than that, there were a few other good benefits.

The first is special draw permits for elk. I have drawn three cow tags in four years, and filled them all. I'm not sure how Oregon runs their program, but I would assume you cut down on the crowd you are drawing against, as well. Most hunts up here are on private land, but I have had some help from the biologists on contacts for the hunts.

The second benefit is there are a few areas that only AHE hunters can hunt in during regular season, no special permit needed, so again you cut down on the crowds.

We have a few special hunts on whitetails in Eastern WA where only AHE folks can hunt, and also there are late season goose harassment hunts open only to AHE graduates.

Some folks have told me that AHE folks shouldn't get these special opportunities, but I just figure that it is the same as taking a dusky goose class so I can hunt geese. They made the challenge, I passed it, so I should get the opportunities. If they want the opportunities, take the class and stop gripin' at me.

The program doesn't necessarily make you a better hunter, but it does make you a smarter hunter because you get many more opportunities than the average guy and you end up drawing for in smaller groups of applicants.

One final side benefit is that if you ever hunt out of state, and that state requires proof of hunter ed, the master hunter/AHE program qualifies.

Best of luck, and let us know how it goes.

Andy

[MoJet Driver]

Try this link http://www.dfw.state.or.us/outdoor_skills/

If that doesn't work, go to the ODFW homepage and look for the hunter education link. It will have another link to the master hunter program.

All and all, it doesn't sound too tough to make it through the program for those dedicated to take the time. I'm considering enrolling, just for the experience if nothing else.

[jmw22]

Thanks for the info. Dogfish, the program in Washington sounds like the Master Hunter program here in OR. I am going to try and get certified this year. I have already started on my 20 hours of volunteer work working at a local hatchery. I'll post how the training went when I complete the course. Thanks again,