The Master Hunter program

This is a two-part series about the Master Hunter Permit Program.

This column and the Friday Hunting and Fishing Report has featured several reports about the current enrollment period for the Master Hunter Permit Program that opened Jan. 1, and will continue through Feb. 15.

The first step in becoming a Master Hunter is to apply. I suggest going to the website about the program at http://wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/masterhunter/. The easiest way to obtain the application form is at this site, in the column on the left side.

The forms include the enrollment application, the code of ethics agreement form, the shooting certification form and the proof of service form. Take notice at this point; this is an involved and complex program.

A $50 application fee must accompany the application form. The form also allows Fish and Wildlife to conduct a criminal background check on the applicant.

So what is the program all about? Fish and Wildlife describes the program this way, "The Master Hunter Permit Program is designed to promote responsible hunting. In addition to training, the program emphasizes safe, lawful and ethical hunting priorities while upholding the highest standards. The program offers an opportunity for conscientious, committed hunters who care about the future of hunting to assume a leadership role among their peers. Through their knowledge and conduct in the field, Master Hunters play a key role in improving relationships with landowners, thus ensuring continued hunter access to private lands."

What is required? Each applicant is required to: Demonstrate proficiency with a bow, handgun, muzzleloader, rifle, shotgun shooting shot, shotgun shooting slugs, or crossbow; provide at least 20 hours of volunteer service on a project benefiting state wildlife resources; attend Crime Observation and Reporting Training, known as C.O.R.T.; receive a score of at least 80 percent on a written examination, based on provided independent-study materials; sign an agreement to abide by the Master Hunter Code of Ethics and, as already stated, submit to and pass a law enforcement background check.

Shooting proficiency

Applicants are required to demonstrate proficiency with a handgun, bow, muzzleloader, rifle, shotgun or crossbow. For example, those using a shotgun shooting shot must attain a minimum score of 20 out of 25 targets on either a skeet or a trap field.

Rifle shooters must shoot a minimum qualifying score of 60 points off-hand at 50 yards and 80 points using a rest at 100 yards on a B-3 target, shooting 10 consecutive shots fired from each distance. The target is available for download from the website.

The scoring, when using the B-3 target, is applied with these rules: Shots striking outside the six ring on the target have no point value. All shots striking within the scoring ring of 6 or higher have a point value. Thus, a shot striking within the seven ring earns a score of seven points. A shot striking the nine ring earns a score of nine points.

If a shot breaks the ring line of a higher point value ring, only the higher point value is awarded. For example, if one shot strikes between the eight and nine ring, that shot earns only nine points, not nine plus eight. Each shot can only earn 0, six, seven, eight, nine or 10 points.

The cumulative value of all shots fired at each position determines the point score. Add the point value of all shots to determine your point score. Shots with zero point value must be counted as zero within the 10-shot string.

All shots must be consecutive. Shooters may not shoot more than the specified number of shots in a string and select their best individual shots. Shooters may not shoot more than the specified number of shots and select their best consecutive shots.

Shooters who do not attain the minimum required score must shoot the additional specified number of consecutive shots to earn a qualifying score. For example, if you score less than the required number of points with 10 consecutive shots, you cannot simply shoot another shot to boost your score to or above the minimum requirement.

All hunting equipment used to qualify must meet legal requirements for general hunting seasons. For rifles and handguns the minimum caliber is .24. Only 10 and 12 gauge shotguns shooting slugs are legal for elk. The legal requirements for archery and crossbow must also be followed.

The shotgun skill requires the shooter to break a minimum of 20 clay targets out of 25 in a standard round of skeet or trap. Note: hand-throwers do not qualify the shooter for scores in the Master Hunter shooting requirements.

The off-hand shooting ability was my worst worry. As the years roll along, the task of maintaining steady for an offhand shot was becoming elusive. The shooting requirements call for any unrelated adult to serve as a witness for the shooting qualification.

Realizing what was needed in my situation, I asked a Fish and Wildlife enforcement officer to be my witness. I was nervous, yes, but took my time, resting between shots, applying complete concentration during each shot and ended up with a score in the 70s, which made me extremely happy.

The 100-yard shooting skill didn't worry me nearly as much. The bench rest was a welcome aid, but again time, rest and concentration allowed me to score in the high 90s.

The shooting proficiency form is available for download at the website. The applicant's score needs to be entered on the form and it needs to be signed by the witness. The form is next taken to a notary public, where the applicant signs the form and the notary fixes her/his seal. The completed form is then mailed to the Fish and Wildlife Olympia office.

The Master Hunter Program application period is currently open and will continue through Feb. 15.

Next week: The remaining requirements for achieving Master Hunter status will be discussed.