High Desert News

March/April 2008

Mike Laughter, MDF Regional Director

As we close the book on 2007 and look forward to the coming year, there has never been a better time to be involved with the Mule Deer Foundation. For 2008 we have already allocated over $610,000 to habitat projects in the state of Utah, with $250,000 of that money being set aside for fire rehabilitation in critical mule deer range affected by wild fire in 2007.

Currently, I represent MDF on an OHV (Off-Highway Vehicle) Use Working Group facilitated by the Division of Wildlife Resources. This group is comprised of sportsmen’s groups, the Bureau of Land Management, the National Forest Service and the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources. The groups were brought together to promote and encourage responsible use of Off-Highway Vehicles on public land throughout Utah. The main emphasis is to protect Utah’s watershed as well as its wildlife.

I also represent MDF on a Mule Deer Working Group in northern Utah. The goals of this group, which is also coordinated through the Division of Wildlife Resources, focus on fawn recruitment, predator control, habitat enhancement and human impact issues that directly affect northern Utah’s deer herds.

These are just some of the things MDF is doing to ensure our children and grand children will be able to enjoy a species that we all care about so much. Most people who attend a Mule Deer Foundation banquet probably wouldn’t be aware of these efforts. This evolvement by MDF in mule deer issues is not limited just to Utah. MDF is involved with similar issues wherever you find mule deer. That is what I am most proud of when people ask me about the Mule Deer Foundation. This, among other things, like the commitment from dedicated volunteers, is my motivation each year when we start to put together our upcoming banquets and fund raisers.

The excitement and enthusiasm that I have been witness to this year has been astounding to say the least. I think when people (banquet attendees, volunteers and MDF members) start to see the tangible results of their efforts and realize they can truly make a difference, it just feels good.

This is what I meant when I said it was a great time to be involved with the Mule Deer Foundation.

If you would like to know how you can get involved with the Mule Deer Foundation or where you can attend a banquet fund raiser in your area, feel free to call 801-391-0567 or e-mail mlaughter@muledeer.org.

Remember to take a kid hunting so that later on they will take you.