January 22, 2007
Contact: Miles Moretti
Tel.: 801-230-2207
E-mail: president@muledeer.org
Western Hunting & Conservation Expo Raises Big Bucks for Conservation
Nate Jacobson of King's Outdoor World presents
MDF President Miles Moretti
with a check for $83,333.
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Wildlife and habitat restoration got a big shot in the arm recently when three national conservation groups joined forces to host the Western Hunting & Conservation Expo (WHCE) in Salt Lake City, UT January 17-20, 2007.
The Mule Deer Foundation (MDF), Foundation for North American Wild Sheep (FNAWS) and Sportsmen for Habitat (SFH) arranged a huge exhibition hall, two banquets, and numerous auctions, all held at the Salt Palace Convention Center. Thousands of lucky ticket holders also had the opportunity to attend a SFH show featuring Jeff Foxworthy and Montgomery Gentry at Energy Solutions Arena.
Attendees packed rooms to “talk hunting” with Jeff Foxworthy on Friday and basketball-great Karl Malone on Saturday. Seminars were also offered by hunting pros Dan Whitmus, Bob Hodson, Tom Hoffman, Phil Phillips and Jim Shockey.
King’s Outdoor World founder Robert King donated a quarter million dollars to the expo, and at MDF’s Friday night banquet co-owner Nate Jacobson presented a check to the MDF for $83,333 to put towards wildlife conservation. At Saturday’s joint WHCE banquet, a $1 million dollar check for the Tabby Mountain Acquisition was presented to Utah governor Jon Huntsman by MDF President Miles Moretti, FNAWS President Raymond Lee and SFH President Byron Bateman. The Mower Family Foundation also presented a $2.2 million dollar check to the SFH for wildlife conservation.
Convention attendees enjoyed "talking hunting"
with Jeff Foxworthy.
During a number of presentations given by MDF President Miles Moretti, he promised to get dollars on the ground for habitat restoration and conservation. Moretti says, “This expo has exceeded all of our expectations. The money raised will go a long way in helping to educate the public, as well as funding scientific research and habitat projects.”
He went on to say, “We could not have pulled off this exciting event without sponsors like King’s Outdoor World, Sportsman’s Warehouse, Toyota Dealers of Utah, Cabela’s, Billingsley and Cooper Tires.”
While tickets are still being tallied, early estimates are that the extravaganza will net over $10 million dollars thanks to over 25,000 attendees, 500-plus exhibitors and many fine and generous donors and sponsors.
Next year’s WHCE is slated for February 6-9, 2008, and will again be held at the Salt Palace.
The Mule Deer Foundation is a national non-profit 501c3 organization, with over 10,000 members. MDF’s mission is to ensure the conservation of mule deer, black-tailed deer and their habitats. MDF is dedicated to restoring, improving and protecting mule deer habitat (including land and easement acquisitions) resulting in self-sustaining, healthy, free ranging and huntable deer populations; encouraging and supporting responsible wildlife management with government agencies, private organizations and landowners; promoting public education and scientific research related to mule deer and wildlife management; supporting and encouraging responsible and ethical behavior and awareness of issues among those whose actions affect mule deer; and acknowledging regulated hunting as a viable component of mule deer and black-tailed deer conservation.
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For information about the Mule Deer Foundation or to join please call 1-888-375-DEER (3337) or visit www.muledeer.org.