Solving a big problem in orchard country

Solving a problem takes time. It may take a few seconds or years to resolve, depending upon the situation.

If a shooter is pulling the trigger of a .45 pistol, sending bullet after bullet down range and the pistol suddenly doesn't fire, the problem may be an empty ammo clip. The situation is resolved as soon as a full clip is inserted into the pistol.

Likewise, the perception of a group of people, as viewed by others, may be favorable in the beginning and become negative after a series of incidents. Such a situation has happened to me.

I studied the group known as master hunters for some time before applying and going through the process to attain the status. I like the group's vision statement, which is, "Develop a corps of sportsmen dedicated to preserving the heritage of hunting by giving back to the sport, displaying the highest standards of conduct, and working to conserve wildlife habitat and hunting opportunity."

Their motto of giving back also appealed to me.

The journey to become a master hunter is not easy. A law enforcement background check is conducted and attending a crime observation and reporting training session is required. Logging 20 hours of volunteer time, passing a 100-question test, and demonstrating proficiency with a bow, handgun, muzzleloader, rifle, shotgun or crossbow is also necessary.

After becoming a master hunter, I was asked to become a member of the Master Hunter Advisory Group. My application was submitted and the Fish and Wildlife director made the appointment.

A visit each of the six Fish and Wildlife regional offices was conducted in June as a coordinating effort. Members of the advisory group attended each meeting, as well as two liaison members, and enforcement officers and wildlife biologists from each region. I was able to attend both the Region Two meeting in Ephrata and the Region One meeting in Spokane the following day.

We discussed the availability of master hunters for volunteer projects for the department and helping generally in other ways. But the real surprise for me came when biologists and officers at both meetings indicated their view of master hunters in general was on the negative side of the street.

However, most of these tainted views stem from the pre-2008 indiscretions of some master hunters. There were problems with the actions of a few master hunter a few years ago, which did not live up to current standards.

The program was revamped, and today the 2,000 or less master hunters in the state are trying to reestablish the group to the original status.

After expressing my shock at the Region Two meeting, enforcement officer Dan Klump suggested a meeting between members of the advisory group and landowners in the Leavenworth/Dryden/Cashmere area.

At this point I was hesitant and a bit disheartened. This wonderful program, which was supposed to exhibit the top hunters in the state, wasn't up to par.

The advisory group was determined to have the vision statement ring true. The group's enthusiasm and passion was inspirational to me.  

After questioning my role as one person to help correct the negative-leaning attitude of some, the old Chinese saying "The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step," came to mind, There are a few different variations of the saying, but the meaning is clear. No matter how large or impossible the chore or assignment seems, it begins with a single step.

And with that thought process, I was ready for what in my mind would be a series of baby steps. The first step was the meeting Klump recommended.

This meeting took place July 23 at the Dryden Gun Club. Present were two enforcement officers, two landowners and advisory group member Jim Reinbold and me.

The basis of the meeting was to move in the direction of having master hunters become more proactive with landowners, especially those having problems with elk.

The two landowners confirmed the negative view local landowners harbor about master hunters. Again, this opinion seems to originate from negative pre-2008 actions.

Jim and I explained our purpose as wanting to inform the enforcement officers and landowners our desire to improve the prestige, respect, stature and general overall status of the master hunter. We relayed our driving force, motivation and inspiration to the master hunter motto.

The anticipated results will be a more favorable view of master hunters attained through positive actions. However, we realize this may take years to accomplish.

Elk damage seems to be the largest problem in the area for the ranchers and orchardists. To a lesser degree, resident deer also cause damage.

Master hunters are willing to assist with repairing elk and deer damage to landowner property or assist landowners with other projects. Sometimes the taking of an elk or two is necessary to move a herd out of an orchard.

If this tool in Klump's toolbox is required, a ranked list of master hunters would be activated and the hunter notified.

The master hunter's movements would be greatly monitored. Only the hunter will be allowed on the property, accompanied by the landowner and officer Klump or a hunt coordinator.

The herd is located and the hunter is told to shoot a certain elk. The elk is downed and the herd moves out of the area. This is not elk hunting as most know the sport, but rather a means to move the herd and reduce damage.

The meeting lasted about 90 minutes and the landowners accepted the principal and primary idea of our visit.

They passed along eight other landowner names and telephone numbers, suggesting we contact them with our message. They will also discuss our ideas with the others.

The first step, indeed a baby step, has been taken. Now it's time for a second and a third.