High Desert News

May/June 2008

Mike Laughter, MDF Regional Director

As I write in late March, it finally appears that winter has loosened its grip on the state of Utah after one of the hardest winters that Northern Utah has experienced in quite some time. Some of the ridges have bared and the deer that we have been feeding for the last six weeks are moving back up the mountain. We won’t know the full extent of our losses for the next few months. I guess what we take away from this year’s emergency program is that we saved deer and without the intervention of concerned sportsman and the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, things would have been much worse.

On a lighter note, banquet season is in full swing and volunteers are hard at it making money for mule deer. My banquet season started off with a bang on Feb. 15, the front end of back to back banquets found me in Davis County,Utah, for their second-ever event. With their passion and commitment to mule deer they announced their chapter was to adopt the Henefer Echo Wildlife Management Unit and commit the proceeds from their banquet to enhance critical winter range for mule deer by planting bitter brush seedlings this spring. This turned out to be an evening of announcements as the Mule Deer Foundation named Wayne Winsor as the new State Chairman for Utah. I look forward to working with Wayne. His passion for mule deer and his enthusiastic approach will make him a welcome addition to our organization. What a way to start things off.

The second half of my back to back was more of the same. Robert Hoth, Chapter Chairman for the Bear River Chapter in Logan, Utah, had his crew ready to put on another outstanding event. With attendance up over 50% from last year and double the income raised, they are already planning projects for this year. In fact, on Saturday, April 5, they will be participating in planting bitter brush on critical winter range on the Millville Face east of Cache Valley, Utah. Great job guys!

One week later, on Feb. 23, I was headed south to Cedar City, Utah, for their annual event and there were no signs of slowing down. These guys put on a first-class event with 170 people in attendance. The support of the community definitely contributed to the success of their event.

I am excited to announce two new events in my region this year. Beaver, Utah, will hold its first MDF banquet on Friday, April 1. Also, the first MDF Utah State Wide Trap Shoot will be held Saturday, June 21, in Brigham City, Utah. Be sure to check the Web site for time and contact information.

If you’re looking for a way to become involved with the Mule Deer Foundation and would like to help at a fund-raising event, I am currently seeking help in establishing chapters in Evanston, Wyo., Malad, Idaho, Idaho Falls, Idaho, Rich County, Utah, and anywhere else that someone thinks there might be an opportunity to raise money to help a species that we care about so much. Feel free to contact me at 801-391-0567 or mlaughter@muledeer.org.

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