Master Hunter Permit Program

Wildlife Conservation Volunteer Opportunities

Specific Volunteer Opportunities Now Available
Listings of specific Master Hunter volunteer project opportunities will be posted by the Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) and updated on a routine basis.

Do You Have a Master Hunter Related Project for which You Need Volunteer Help?
Make sure your activity corresponds to the pre-approved conservation project guidelines then call Tracy Loveless at (360) 902-8412, tracy.loveless@dfw.wa.gov, to get it posted here.

Statewide Opportunities

• Register to assist with non-lethal control of game damage throughout the state. Landowner conflicts involving elk, deer, turkey, and waterfowl routinely occurs at various times of the year. Depending upon the situation, volunteers will provide herding, hazing, fence repair and fence construction services under the direction and guidance of WDFW personnel. Sign up by county, game species, and time of the year by using this link, http://wdfw.wa.gov/enforcement/herding_hazing/ . Applicants are required to reapply January 1st of each year.
• Department of Natural Resources (DNR) volunteer projects statewide. Contact DNR statewide volunteer coordinator, Christine Redmond, at Christine.Redmond@dnr.wa.gov.

Region 1

• Hunter Surveys – Spokane’s Bighorn Outdoor Adventure Show March 15th-18th
  Volunteers are needed to implement a survey of deer and elk hunters who attend the Bighorn show in Spokane. Priority will be given to those who can work an entire day while the show is open (8-10 hours per day). A third volunteer, and possibly fourth, is needed from 10am to 3pm on Saturday and Sunday Cost to attend the show, including lunch, will be reimbursed. To sign up, contact WDFW Deer/Elk Conflict Specialist Anthony Novack at (509) 925-9323 or email Anthony.novack@dfw.wa.gov

• Mid-Columbia River National Wildlife Refuge Complex (Conboy Lake, and Toppenish National Wildlife Refuges). Reoccurring volunteer projects include: pre-waterfowl hunting season hunt blind preparation (September); waterfowl hunt blind construction and replacement (February thru September); post-waterfowl hunting season cleanup (March); disabled hunter accessibility including trails, boardwalks, and hunting blinds (February thru September); waterfowl hunting trail maintenance (September); and native tree and shrub planting (February thru March). Contact Shannon Ludwig (Shannon_Ludwig@fws.gov) or Lamont Glass (Lamont_Glass@fws.gov) at the Toppenish Headquarters Office at (509)-865-2405. The following web link provides pictures of volunteer activities: http://kenandmyrt.com/volunteers.html

Region 2

• Sinlahekin Wildlife Area and Chiliwist Wildlife Area projects. There are 20 different volunteer activities available. Contact Wildlife Area Manager Dale Swedberg at 509-223-3358, swedbdas@dfw.wa.gov . Please note that a bunkhouse is available for volunteers to use, BUT that advance scheduling is definitely required. Volunteers should be able to work independently once given training and orientation. General projects include: Sinlahekin Wildlife Area---- Zachman Gate Installation; Deer Enclosure Fence Rebuild; New Gate Forde Lake Campground Road; Woodshop and Machine shed Painting; Garbage Dumps Cleanup; Fence Removal; Fence Construction and Repair; Guzzler Repair and Rebuild; Loading Dock Construction; Weed Control; Upland Bird Feeder Repair; Road Fence; Construction of Bluebird Nest Boxes; and oheny Basin Road Brushing. Chiliwist Wildlife Area----Weed Control; Fence Removal; Parking Area #2 Fence Removal, Construction, and Signage; Parking Area #3 Fencing and Signage; Loading Dock Construction; and Fence Construction and Repair.

Region 3

• Volunteers Needed for Yakima Kid’s Fish-In, Saturday, April 28, 2012. Located at Reflection Pond, Sarg Hubbard Park, 111 South 18th Street, Yakima. Volunteers are needed to help with set-up and tear-down, working with kids ages 5-14 and parents with kids, help rigging fishing poles, distributing/baiting hooks, crowd control, fish cleaning, etc. Contact Eric Anderson at 509-457-9301 or eric.anderson2@dfw.wa.gov for more information and registration.

• Hunter Surveys – Yakima Sportsmens Show Feb 17th, 18th and 19th.
  Volunteers are needed to implement a survey of deer and elk hunters who attend the Yakima Sportsmens show at the Sundome. At least two volunteers are needed per day with priority given to those who can work an entire day while the show is open (7-9 hours per day). A third volunteer is needed from 10am to 3pm on Saturday and Sunday. Cost to attend the show, including lunch will be reimbursed.To sign up, contact WDFW Deer/Elk Conflict Specialist Anthony Novack at (509) 925-9323 or email Anthony.novack@dfw.wa.gov

• Landowner Fence Repairs - April exact dates to be determined
  Volunteers are needed to assist landowners with repairing elk damaged fences in Kittitas and Yakima counties. Dates to be determined but, can be organized for the weekend. Contact WDFW Deer/Elk Conflict Specialist Anthony Novack at (509) 925-9323 or email Anthony.novack@dfw.wa.gov to arrange.

• Ellensburg Hunter Education has opportunities for Master Hunters to engage in Hunter Education classes in the Ellensburg area. If you are interested in becoming a Hunter Education Instructor or assisting with Hunter Education classes, please visit our website at http://www.Ellensburghuntered.net and click on the “Contact Us” link and fill out the form, then we will contact you back.
• Mid-Columbia River National Wildlife Refuge Complex (Conboy Lake, and Toppenish National Wildlife Refuges). Reoccurring volunteer projects include: pre-waterfowl hunting season hunt blind preparation (September); waterfowl hunt blind construction and replacement (February thru September); post-waterfowl hunting season cleanup (March); disabled hunter accessibility including trails, boardwalks, and hunting blinds (February thru September); waterfowl hunting trail maintenance (September); and native tree and shrub planting (February thru March). Contact Shannon Ludwig (Shannon_Ludwig@fws.gov) or Lamont Glass (Lamont_Glass@fws.gov) at the Toppenish Headquarters Office at (509)-865-2405. The following web link provides pictures of volunteer activities: http://kenandmyrt.com/volunteers.html.
• Volunteer projects available on Department of Natural Resource (DNR) managed lands in the Southeast Region (Kittitas, Yakima, and Klickitat Counties). Individuals or groups are welcome. Feel free to suggest projects needed in the area. Examples of previous and planned volunteer work include but aren’t limited to the following: cleaning up hunting camp garbage, maintenance of trail drainage structures, installing signs, maintaining signs, green dot road system maintenance, installing gates, and blocking access to non-green dot roads. Contact Greg Mackey for further information greg.mackey@dnr.wa.gov .
• Volunteers are needed for the Eyes In The Woods Wildlife Program in Region Six, and Check Station Program in Regions Three, Five, and Six as part of their Property Watch Land Access Program. Check stations are a valuable tool for wildlife management, assisting in the collection of biological data-gathering for our deer and elk populations. Volunteer efforts will include attending a training, signup for one or more dates/locations, travel to/from station sites, setup, collect data from hunters and their harvested game, tear down, cleanup, and the completion of forms. For more information or to sign up contact EITW Wildlife Director John Arnold at (360) 520-4330, www.eyesinthewoods.org.
• Volunteers are needed for the Eyes In The Woods Property Watch Program in Regions Three, Five, and Six. Eyes In the Woods Directors are collaborating with multiple local conservation/sport organizations, business owners, private landowners, timber companies, WDFW staff, and the media with the goal of opening private lands for outdoor recreational uses, primarily hunting and fishing. Participating volunteers are required to travel to gates/key control locations and stay at said locations during hunting hours. These control locations are designed to detour hunters from active logging areas, open gates and be an information source. Volunteer participation also includes installing signage materials placed at strategic access locations, land cleanup projects, and to act as a deterrent for poaching, dumping, vandalism, and other crimes. For more information or to sign up contact EITW Land Access Director Tony Wells at (360) 480-6689, www.eyesinthewoods.org.
• Yakima Training Center General Project Assistance. A variety of volunteer projects are usually always available. Activities may include fence pulling, installation of posts and signage to protect sensitive habitat areas, control of noxious weeds, planting of shrubs and trees and collection of sagebrush seeds. For more information, and to register, call Brian Knapp at (509) 577-3006.

Region 4

• Save Habitat And Diversity Of Wetlands (SHADOW) is a 501(c)(3) organization founded through a community effort to preserve one of few remaining intact peat bogs in King County. It hasplaced over 90 contiguous acresof unique wetland and forest habitat under protection, and provides opportunities in forest restoration, land preservation, education and community involvement. SHADOW is looking for volunteers to help with ongoing habitat enhancement, which includes thinning of alder stand, invasive species removal, planting, plant maintenance and sheet mulching, monitoring, research, etc. Please contact 425-432-4914 or info@shadowhabitat.org for further details. We are located on the west shore of Shadow Lake near Fairwood, Renton, WA on 184th Ave SE and Peter Grubb Road.
• Volunteers Needed for Elk Management Projects in North Bend. The Upper Snoqualmie Valley Elk Management Group is an association of stakeholder agencies and local interest groups collaborating to minimize property damage and public safety risks associated with elk and to manage elk. Volunteer projects in 2012 include radio telemetry, elk habitat improvements, collaring, and population surveys. For more information about volunteer projects with the elk management group go to: snoqualmievalleyelk.org for contact information.

• Volunteer projects available on Department of Natural Resource (DNR) managed lands in the Northwest Region. Volunteer Work Parties Throughout the Year: Interested individuals are welcome to join one of these work party events or to sponsor a work event in partnership with DNR. Contact David Way for further information, specific project dates, and additional volunteer opportunities in the Northwest Region at david.way@dnr.wa.gov
• Volunteers Needed for the Property Watch/Land Access Program. This pilot program targets WDFW Regions 4, 5, and 6. Eyes In The Woods Association Inc. directors are collaborating with multiple local conservation/sport organizations, business owners, private landowners, timber companies, media, and WDFW staff with the goal of opening private lands for outdoor recreational uses, primarily hunting and fishing. Participating volunteers are required to travel to key locations and stay at those locations during hunting hours. Locations are selected to best direct hunters away from active logging areas, provide access to open gates, and provide information to hunters. Volunteer participation also includes installing signs at strategic access locations; land clean up projects, and to act as a deterrent for poaching, dumping, vandalism, and other crimes. For more information or to sign up go to: www.eyesinthewoods.org/boscal/calendar.php or call Tony Wells (360) 480-6689.

Region 5

• Habitat Restoration at the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge. Restoration volunteer work days on the Refuge are open to all. To sign up or get on the Refuge notice list, contact: Lori Summers (360) 887-3883, lori_summers@fws.gov. Special days can also be arranged for groups. For more information click here for our current flyer.
  
  For all work days wear waterproof footwear, bring gloves, water, a snack, and dress for our S.W. Washington weather with raingear or sun protection.
• StreamTeam, Vancouver, Washington
  The StreamTeam is a volunteer driven, stream restoration and environmental education program. Each year over 800 team members come together to plant native trees, provide environmental education and monitor streams and wildlife. All of the training and supplies are provided for a great day outdoors! Please contact Lisa Beranek for more information about our year round activities at (360) 992-8585, StreamTeam@clarkpud.com or visit our website at www.StreamTeam.net.
• Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge Call for Volunteers!
  Volunteer Training for Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge. The Refuge offers plenty of volunteer options to suit your needs and interests. Volunteer opportunities include but are not limited to Environmental Education – Help lead visitors and school groups in nature activities and hikes on the Refuge, Cultural Education – Educate weekend visitors and school groups about the replica Plankhouse and the local cultural history, Habitat Restoration Track and remove invasive plants and help restore wildlife habitat and native plant communities, and Refuge Guide – Greet and inform visitors about the Refuge. For more information visit the website at http://www.fws.gov/ridgefieldrefuges/ridgefield/getinvolved.html or contact Josie Finley at (360) 887-4106 or josie_finley@fws.gov.
• Assistance at the Bob Oke State Pheasant Farm in Centralia (360-807-6211)
• Columbia Gorge - Get involved in waterfowl habitat restoration work! Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge is looking for volunteers to help restore wetlands and waterways crucial to increasing diminished waterfowl populations. Scheduling of work times is highly flexible. Projects include mowing/trimming, invasive plant removal and trail maintenance. Gloves and equipment provided. Please bring water and bug spray. Closed-toe shoes and long pants strongly recommended. General location is on Highway 14 East, just east of Washougal, Washington at Gibbons Creek Wildlife Trailhead. Get detailed directions at: http://www.fws.gov/ridgefieldrefuges/steigerwaldlake/. Contact Orlanda Kleimenhagen at: okleimenhagen@gmail.com or (360) 508-5627.
• Volunteers are needed for the Eyes In The Woods Wildlife Program in Region Six, and Check Station Program in Regions Three, Five, and Six as part of their Property Watch Land Access Program. Check stations are a valuable tool for wildlife management, assisting in the collection of biological data-gathering for our deer and elk populations. Volunteer efforts will include attending a training, signup for one or more dates/locations, travel to/from station sites, setup, collect data from hunters and their harvested game, tear down, cleanup, and the completion of forms. For more information or to sign up contact EITW Wildlife Director John Arnold at (360) 520-4330, www.eyesinthewoods.org.
• Volunteers are needed for the Eyes In The Woods Property Watch Program in Regions Three, Five, and Six. Eyes In the Woods Directors are collaborating with multiple local conservation/sport organizations, business owners, private landowners, timber companies, WDFW staff, and the media with the goal of opening private lands for outdoor recreational uses, primarily hunting and fishing. Participating volunteers are required to travel to gates/key control locations and stay at said locations during hunting hours. These control locations are designed to detour hunters from active logging areas, open gates and be an information source. Volunteer participation also includes installing signage materials placed at strategic access locations, land cleanup projects, and to act as a deterrent for poaching, dumping, vandalism, and other crimes. For more information or to sign up contact EITW Land Access Director Tony Wells at (360) 480-6689, www.eyesinthewoods.org.

Region 6

• Volunteers are needed to assist with WDFW Vessel Operations Program, including repair, maintenance, and operations participation at the Tumwater Patrol Shop, and in Grays Harbor and Thurston counties. Typical work includes maintenance, general cleaning, bottom sanding, bottom painting, restorations, fabrication work, rigging, wiring, sea trials, crewing/deckhand, transport, and trailer maintenance (brake service, restoration, and repairs). Estimated twenty hours of work per week from June through September. Contact Lt. Dan O’Hagan, daniel.ohagan@dfw.wa.gov, (360) 268-0623, cell: (360) 580-2558.
• Volunteers are needed for grounds maintenance work at the WDFW Tumwater Fish and Wildlife Patrol Shop and Fleet Storage Yard. Typical work will include grounds maintenance, mowing, trimming of shrubs, and litter clean-up. Estimated eight hours of work per week from June through September. Contact Lt. Dan O’Hagan, daniel.ohagan@dfw.wa.gov, (360) 268-0623, cell: (360) 580-2558.
• Volunteers are needed for the Eyes In The Woods Wildlife Program in Region Six, and Check Station Program in Regions Three, Five, and Six as part of their Property Watch Land Access Program. Check stations are a valuable tool for wildlife management, assisting in the collection of biological data-gathering for our deer and elk populations. Volunteer efforts will include attending a training, signup for one or more dates/locations, travel to/from station sites, setup, collect data from hunters and their harvested game, tear down, cleanup, and the completion of forms. For more information or to sign up contact EITW Wildlife Director John Arnold at (360) 520-4330, www.eyesinthewoods.org .
• Volunteers are needed for the Eyes In The Woods Property Watch Program in Regions Three, Five, and Six. Eyes In the Woods Directors are collaborating with multiple local conservation/sport organizations, business owners, private landowners, timber companies, WDFW staff, and the media with the goal of opening private lands for outdoor recreational uses, primarily hunting and fishing. Participating volunteers are required to travel to gates/key control locations and stay at said locations during hunting hours. These control locations are designed to detour hunters from active logging areas, open gates and be an information source. Volunteer participation also includes installing signage materials placed at strategic access locations, land cleanup projects, and to act as a deterrent for poaching, dumping, vandalism, and other crimes. For more information or to sign up contact EITW Land Access Director Tony Wells at (360) 480-6689, www.eyesinthewoods.org.