Master Hunter Permit Program

Requirements

• Home Study & Comprehensive Exam
• Shooting Proficiency (witnessed & notarized)
• 20 (or more) hours of wildlife conservation work
• Completion of a Crime Observation and Reporting Training (C.O.R.T). course
• Sign the Master Hunter Code of Ethics Agreement
• Pass a Criminal Background Check
• Certification

Home Study & Comprehensive Exam

• Lots of material
• Everything matters
• How to succeed

  -	Time & commitment
  -	Study everything
  -	Stay with it

• How to fail:

  -	Don’t take it seriously
  -	Assume you already know enough
  -	Start and stop

Shooting Proficiency (witnessed & notarized)

• Qualify with one or more of the following legal hunting implements:

  -	Archery
  -	Crossbow
  -	Muzzleloader
  -	Shotgun shooting shot
  -	Shotgun shooting slugs
  -	Rifle
  -	Handgun

• Different requirements for each firearm
  Scoring your shooting instructions
• Not easy for many people
• Must be witnessed & notarized
• Arrangements are your responsibility
• It is expected that Master Hunters will be proficient with any legal hunting implement prior to its use during any Master Hunter season. One way to achieve that proficiency is to qualify with additional legal hunting implements. Master Hunters may qualify with additional hunting implements at any time simply by following the instructions for qualification and sending the completed Shooting Proficiency Certification form to Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW).

Scoring of Shooting Proficiency

• See: Scoring your shooting instructions.

Wildlife Conservation Work

• Minimum of 20 hours to be certified
• Wildlife habitat work or service
• Must be approved in advance unless they meet the guidelines on the Conservation Projects page OR you have obtained the support and guidance from WDFW personnel in your local area.
• Must be approved by a representative of the organization or land owner.
• Arrangements are your responsibility

  Objective: begin or sustain a lifetime of service

• Additional minimum of 40 hours of work to re-certify. Certified Master Hunters may now receive five (5) hours of volunteer conservation time credit for attending a Master Hunter Information and Outreach public meeting at least once every five (5) years---maximum credit of five (5) hours for each renewal period.
• Many choices of projects:

  -	Wildlife habitat improvement projects
  -	Resolve animal depredation or nuisance wildlife complaints
  -	Support WDFW wildlife initiatives & partnerships
  -	Master Hunter administrative support
  -	Hunter Education instruction

• All projects require pre-approval unless they meet the guidelines on the Conservation Projects page OR you have obtained the support and guidance from WDFW personnel in your local area.

  Objective: sustain a lifetime of service

Completion of a C.O.R.T. course

• 1-2 hour course
• Arrangement is your responsibility
• Proof is a copy of the Certificate
• Reporting requires a new mind-set
• Three hours of conservation work credit will be given for attending a C.O.R.T. class
• One time requirement

Criminal Background Check

• Conducted by WDFW Enforcement
• After all other requirements are completed.
• Initial Master Hunter permit applicants must submit to a criminal background check. The WDFW shall deny entry into the Master Hunter Permit Program to those applicants who have:
  

  -	Paid the required fine or been convicted within the last ten (10) years of a Chapter 77.15 RCW offense;
  -	Paid the required fine or been convicted within the last ten (10) years of criminal trespass, reckless endangerment, criminal conspiracy, or making a false statement to law enforcement, while hunting, fishing, or engaging in any activity regulated by the WDFW;
  -	Prior felonies prohibiting the possession of firearms, unless firearm possession is reinstated; or
  -	A current hunting or fishing license revocation or a current suspension of hunting or fishing license privileges in Washington or in another state.

Certification

• Following completion of all requirements and the Criminal Background Check
• Receive permit and shoulder patch
• Participation is your responsibility

  -	Some hunts available to all Master Hunters
  -	Apply for drawings by permit application deadline
  -	Work through Hunt Masters/Coordinators
  -	Work through Landowners

• All program requirements must be completed by November 15, of the year the application is received.