Message from the CEO
July/August 2007
I am amazed everyday at the incredible events happening at the Mule Deer Foundation. Because of our dedicated members and volunteers, we continue to reach new heights in the number of chapters and banquet events. Chapter level volunteers continue to demonstrate creativity, ingenuity, and plain hard work in making local events the most successful in MDF history. It’s because of these events that we, as an organization, will be putting a record amount of dollars on the ground for projects this year. Thanks to all the volunteers for their passion and dedication towards the species we represent.
With an increase in the number of chapters, banquet events, sport shows, and projects, the MDF staff is also continually being pushed to work harder and more efficiently. However, with growth comes change and we would like to take this time and bid farewell to Ray Bartlett, Regional Director for Northern California, Oregon, and Western Idaho; and to Susie Young, Receptionist at MDF headquarters. We wish them luck in their new endeavors.
MDF's new Director of Merchandise Lance Brunner.
We would like to take this time to welcome aboard Jennifer Bay, Lance Brunner and Joeie Fowler. Jennifer is taking over the Office Manager position from Shawna Huckabey who is moving to Convention/Special Event Coordinator. Lance will be assisting in the merchandise warehouse while Joeie will be our new bookkeeper. We also have plans to realign the Regional Director’s territories so that we can better serve our members.
I recently attended the Western States Elk and Deer Workshop in Colorado. It was great to see just how many states have mule deer and their habitat as a top priority. We as an organization and our membership need to continually work with state and federal wildlife agencies to ensure that mule deer receive increased emphasis and funding. Partnerships with these agencies and other wildlife conservation groups are essential since none of us can do it alone. By working together, we can make a difference and restore mule deer populations throughout their range.
MDF has been invited to participate in two major land purchases – the Tongue River property in Montana and President Theodore Roosevelt’s Elkhorn Ranch in North Dakota (which is considered the birthplace of conservation in America). Projects like these are critical to mule deer and are great examples of how a small amount of MDF dollars can be leveraged to accomplish great things. We will have full stories on these properties in a future issue of MDF. In addition, we have several other high profile habitat projects we are working on which will be either property acquisitions or conservation easements – all of which are involved in critical mule deer habitat.
In more recent news, MDF has partnered with Sportsman’s Warehouse for an exclusive new promotion. Sportsman’s Warehouse will pay for a one-year membership to MDF when you sign up for their SW Visa credit card. This offer will run through the end of December, and you can visit your local Sportsman’s Warehouse to check it out! Sportsman’s Warehouse has been a great sponsor and partner with MDF. They really go the extra mile as a sponsor. Locally, SW stores donate to banquets, serve as Federal Firearms Licensers, and do whatever they can to make a fundraising event successful. At the National level, they are major sponsors of the Western Hunting & Conservation Expo, underwrite the cost of banquet tickets, sponsor hats, and provide discount coupons for national and local events. Thanks to Sportsman’s Warehouse for all their support!
Not too long ago, I had the opportunity to take a friend of mine fishing. You might say, “What is so unique about that?” Well you see, my friend is Captain Sam Sanderson and he is currently deployed in Afghanistan. Sam was home for two weeks to visit family and friends recently, and while here, Sam also wanted to go fishing. We went to a local reservoir and had a great day! Taking Sam fishing made me realize that there are many things which we take for granted in this country. We need to remember our troops in our prayers and support them as they serve and protect our country. One way we can all help is to donate to the Support Our Troops program. This generous program is the brain child of the MuleyCrazy staff. It allows members of our armed services to go on a hunt that they would not ordinarily be able to go on. MDF has an account set up to accept the needed donations to keep the program operating. All you need to do is call MDF headquarters and indicate that you want your donation to go to the Support Our Troops program. If you are a landowner, guide, or anyone just wanting to help out with tag and/or time donations, call 435-644-2486 and ask for David. He can take care of anything that you might have in the works. If you have a serviceman or woman currently serving in the fight against terrorism, send in a 500-600 word essay about their love for their country, family and hunting traditions. Once the essay is received, they are eligible for a great hunt later this fall.
Speaking of fall, it will be here before we know it, and I hope you, like me, are looking forward to time in the field with family and friends. Remember to take a kid hunting or fishing – you will make memories which last a lifetime.
Miles Moretti