The state Department of Fish and Wildlife is accepting letters of interest through Oct. 31 for membership on the Master Hunter Advisory Group. The appointments will become effective in March.

Five positions are open on the 15-member volunteer group, which represents more than 2,000 master hunters statewide and advises the agency on issues affecting the master hunter program.

To qualify, applicants must be certified master hunters who have completed special training that makes them eligible to assist the department in addressing specific wildlife-management issues in Washington. Advisory group members serve three-year terms.

Openings include master hunters living in these areas:

Region 6: Two vacancies; representing Pierce, Thurston, Clallam, Jefferson, Grays Harbor, Mason, Pacific, and Kitsap counties

Any county in the state: Two vacancies; serving at large

Applicants should send letters of interest to Sgt. Carl Klein at carl.klein@dfw.wa.gov or WDFW Law Enforcement Program, Attn: Carl Klein, Hunter Education Division; 600 Capitol Way N., Olympia, WA 98501-1091.

Applications should include information on the nominee’s relevant experience and reasons for wanting to serve as a member of the advisory group.

More information on the master hunter program is available at wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/masterhunter/index.html.