Introduction
Introduction
Master Hunters are ambassadors of safe, ethical, responsible, and legal hunting and outdoor recreational activities in Washington. They are also "stewards of the hunt." Members of the Master Hunter Permit Program (MHPP) give back to the wildlife resource through their volunteer work and help promote and strengthen the heritage of hunting through their actions.
Master Hunters are used as a resource to help achieve the following Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) Wildlife Program goals and initiatives:
- Strengthening the conservation ethic, image, and heritage of hunting in Washington by engaging in public outreach related to the role of hunting today and in the future.
- Improving landowner relations through the practice of ethical and responsible hunting.
- Helping to resolve human/wildlife conflicts or public safety issues through the control of game causing damage to public and private property.
- Increasing hunter access to private lands through volunteer efforts.
- Increasing recruitment, retention, and re-engagement of hunters through participation in hunter education classes, hunter training clinics, and mentoring of first-time-hunters.
- Protecting and enhancing important habitats through volunteer projects associated with WDFW Wildlife Areas and Water Access Sites.
- Participating in WDFW Citizen Science wildlife data collection.
- Serving in an administrative or coordination capacity for a volunteer network.
- Providing a communications link with the general public to impart accurate information about WDFW's management activities associated with wildlife and hunting