July 19, 2009
Contact: Brandon Mason
Tel.: 701-527-0609
The Mason Family
Regional Director Brandon Mason Leaving MDF
On Sun., July 19, 2009, Mason wrote the following e-mail to friends and co-workers:
Everyone,
I hope that the summer has been treating you all very well and that you have had good luck in drawing some hunting licenses for this fall. I am writing to inform you all about a change in MDF staff, namely me. After weeks of nerve-racking thinking and analyzing, I have decided to resign as an employee of the Mule Deer Foundation.
This has been one of the most difficult decisions I’ve ever had to make in my life! It all boiled down to spending too much time on the road away from my three little angels and my lovely wife. Without their love and support, I would not have made it this long. I have been so blessed to work for the MDF and to meet you all and work with you all on so many great endeavors and will miss much of the job. However, family comes first and must always come first. After being on the road so much, I’ve decided that my priorities needed some realigning and this is the route I’ve chosen.
I am still going to be very active as a volunteer for the MDF, as I always have. I was a chapter chair for almost eight years before coming on board to work full time for the MDF and don’t plan on giving up my mule deer obsession simply because I’m not going to be working as an employee for the organization anymore. As many of you know, I have been doing some agricultural fence construction and repair for farmers and ranchers as a side job for the past four years and have chosen to grow this business and try and make it full-time work.
My phone number will stay the same but my muledeer.org e-mail will no longer be valid after August 1, as that is my last day of work for the MDF as a staff member.
My new e-mail address is lhdl07@yahoo.com. I will not be checking this everyday, so please refrain from sending forwards as my inbox will get too large to receive the messages that aren’t forwards. Please keep in touch, though and as mentioned before, my phone number will stay the same.
Please continue to push on and stick to the mission of the MDF and we can all continue to make a difference together. Again, thanks for your hard work and efforts in wildlife conservation and please keep in touch and I’ll try and do the same!!!
As of right now, the MDF has not hired anyone to replace me, but you can contact either Bob Meulengracht 303-907-8702 or Eric Tycksen 888-375-3337 for MDF support items and for answers to your questions.
Yours in conservation,
Brandon Mason
E-mails received from friends and co-workers:
Hello All,
My name is Matt Rippentrop and I'm from South Dakota. I was very fortunate to meet Brandon Mason a couple years ago and I wanted to tell you a quick story of what he did to help the mule deer and myself out.
I asked Brandon if he would help me get South Dakota's poaching fines increased for trophy animals, similar to other states. Brandon said you bet! For example, South Dakota has a maximum fine of $1,000 if you shot a 180 class mule deer. What was trying to be established was if a 150 class mule deer or better was shot there would be different statute for this with a maximum fine of $5,000. With the help of SD GF&P, Brandon (MDF), SD Bowhunters, RMEF, Wild Sheep Foundation (FNAWS), and Sioux Empire Chapter of Safari Club International we went to Pierre on 1-22-09 to testify in front of the SD Legislature. Brandon left Sheridan, WY, late Wednesday night on 1-21-09 and got to Pierre around 4 am on 1-22-09. He slept in his car for a short time and then Brandon, SD GF&P, Dan H. (SD rancher), and myself testified to the SD House Committee on House Bill #1052.
Brandon's commitment to drive through the night and give his testimony was truly unselfish! Thanks Brandon! You will be missed!!!
Take care,
Matt "Rip" Rippentrop
***
Brandon,
You have and will continue to be one of the biggest assets to MDF. Thank you for all your hard work and dedication, especially to your North Dakota chapters. Without your personal commitment to your post at MDF and supporting (or carrying some … um … Marshall … just look at the mess he makes) your chapters you have started MDF would not exist in this region. You have made a decision that you will not regret in putting your family first. Everyone, this is a great father and husband, and we all admire you Brandon. Look forward again to you being "our volunteer" but I guess we might share you with the other North Dakota chapters - maybe - if they are nice!
Thank you and God speed,
Your Friends from the
Northern Badlands Chapter Mule Deer Foundation
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About MDF
The Mule Deer Foundation is a national non-profit 501(c)3 organization, with over 14,000 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.
For information about the Mule Deer Foundation please call 888-375-DEER (3337).