Using master hunters to hazing deer saves money

This is a two-part series about hazing off of private alfalfa fields.

The e-mail arrived in my inbox on June 16 at 10:42 a.m.:

“This email is being sent to Master Hunters and Master Hunter Applicants in region 1 and 2.

“We might need some Master Hunters to haze deer in (an area south of Sprague) in July and September. If you are interested please contact me, so I can put together a list to be passed to the conflict specialist. This will involve early morning and evening hazing near cattle.”

Fish and Wildlife Hunter Education and Volunteer Coordinator for Region 3, Aaron Garcia, sent the message.

My reply on June 16 at 3:02 p.m.: “Hi Aaron, Put me down, please. Best, Dennis”

From Aaron on June 16 at 3:04 p.m.: “Hi Dennis, I have put you on the list that is going to the Conflict Specialist. She will call people from the list on an as needed basis. Can you reply with a good contact phone number for the list?”

And I did at 3:32 on June 16.

Such messages are common from Garcia, as volunteer efforts are required for master hunter applicants and those already certified as master hunters. The applicants must complete 20 volunteer hours during the nine months they are working to become a master hunter.

Certified master hunters must complete 40 hours of volunteer work during the five years their master hunter permit certification is active. Then they must re-certify for another five years, providing another 40 hours of volunteer work during those year.

The volunteer projects include conducting a target shooting survey in the Wenas Wildlife Area, assist with the youth pheasant clinics on Sept. 17 and 18 in the Whiskey Dick release site and in the Sunnyside area, elk fence construction in the Ellensburg area and assisting with day to day operations at the Bob Oke Pheasant Farm.

Hazing deer off of alfalfa fields fits well into the volunteer scenario. Last year the landowner had as many as 140 deer in his fields, which made his third cutting un-harvestable. Using master hunters as a tool for Fish and Wildlife saves the department and the landowner money.

The next e-mail was sent on June 20 at 11:36 a.m. and sent to 32 master hunters plus me, from Fish and Wildlife Conflict Specialist Candace Bennett: “You are being contacted for a potential hazing effort for mid-July through mid-September. This operation is contingent on deer numbers and the most intense effort will be centered around the third cutting of alfalfa, September 1-15. Efforts will include early morning/late evening hazing and possibly lethal removal.

“Please let me know if you are interested by July 1. I will then contact you with next steps. Thank you all for your consideration.”

Another from Candace arrived at July 5 at 11:42 a.m.: “Thank you for responding to haze deer from mid-July to mid-September. I have attached a questionnaire with some information, a few questions and dates/times. Please fill this out and have it back to me by Friday, July 8, 2016. I will compile all the information and get out to you a calendar and further instructions. Please let me know if you have any questions and I look forward to meeting you and working with you on this project.”

The questioner was completed and returned to Candace.

Another e-mail arrived from Candace on July 11 at 2:35 p.m.: “Deer hazing information: Location is (south of Ritzville and Sprague). We will have a meeting in the area on Wednesday, July 13 at 9 a.m. to discuss the operation, expectations and answer any questions. Plus we will tour the hazing area.

“Attached is a calendar/schedule for deer hazing. Please check for your last name to confirm those dates work for you. You will be paired with one other person to aid in hazing.”

On July 20 at 2:44 p.m. “Thank you to the people who were able to make it to the meeting prior to deer hazing efforts. I have attached the calendar of who is assigned to hazing by day. Finally, let me know if you have any questions or would like some help.”

She also provided questions asked during the meetings and the answers. Q: Can I count my travel to the site? A: Normally no, but due to the remoteness of the site I will sign off on the travel time.

Q: Can I bring an RV with a generator? A: Yes, but please only park it near the hay barn south of the Creek. Q: Can we coyote hunt while at the location? A: No hunting of coyotes as the landowner likes to harvest coyotes.

Q: Can we use a dog to haze deer? A: Yes. Keep the dog under your control, away from cattle and away from the house where the owners live. Q: Can we use a shotgun to haze? A: Yes. Away from the cattle and only with rubber buckshot provided.

Next week: My first night of hazing.