OLYMPIA — The state Department of Fish and Wildlife is accepting letters of interest through Nov. 30 for membership on the department’s Master Hunter Advisory Group.
The group, which represents master hunters statewide, advises Fish and Wildlife on issues and opportunities affecting master hunters and the Master Hunter Permit Program.
Six volunteer positions will be opening on the 15-member group early next year. Five appointed members will serve three-year terms, and one will serve a one-year term.
Retain status
All appointees must retain their certification status during their entire term.
The group’s bylaws state that at least two advisory group members must reside within each of the six Fish and Wildlife administrative regions. Letters of interest will be accepted from applicants residing in:
■ Region 6 (Clallam, Jefferson, Grays Harbor, Mason, Kitsap, Pacific Thurston and Pierce counties): one vacancy.
■ Any county in the state: two vacancies.
Applicants for membership on the advisory group are asked to explain why they want to be a group member, what qualifies them to be a member and how they can help achieve the group’s goals.
Letters of interest
Letters of interest must include contact information — phone numbers, email address, mailing address, county of residence and permission for Fish and Wildlife to conduct a criminal background check.
The letters should be sent to Tracy Loveless at Tracy.Loveless@dfw.wa.gov or the state Department of Fish and Wildlife, Wildlife Program, Master Hunter Section, Attn: Tracy Loveless, 600 Capitol Way N., Olympia, WA 98501-1091.
Open to master hunters
The application process is open to all certified master hunters with no ongoing legal proceedings or convictions in the past 10 years under the state’s fish and wildlife enforcement code.
After letters of interest are reviewed, candidates may be contacted and interviewed by current members of the group.
Interested master hunters are advised to thoroughly review the program Web page at www.wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/masterhunter.
The group meets at least four times per year, usually in Ellensburg.
Members serve as volunteers and do not receive direct compensation, but mileage reimbursement is provided by Fish and Wildlife to attend meetings.
Members can expect to give 75 to 100 hours of their time annually.
