Regional Reports

September/October 2007

• Fawna Gregory
  Nevada Regional News
• Scott Hampel
  Report from the Rockies
• Ron Knapp
  Sounds of the Northwest
• Mike Laughter
  High Desert News
• Brandon Mason
  Northern Great Plains Region
• Eddie Reynoso
  California Regional News

View Previous Regional News

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News From the Field

September/October 2007

By Bob Meulengracht

Historically, fundraising banquets and events typically slow down during summer months as MDF members and volunteers become involved with summer activities and vacations with family. This trend is holding true in 2007. However, there are still a few banquets, fundraising and volunteer activities continuing to take place throughout mule deer country. Here’s a look at some of those activities.

Milestones

In North Dakota, a monumental project that has become a reality is the acquisition of the remainder of Theodore Roosevelt’s Elkhorn Ranch in the Badlands of western North Dakota. Numerous partners were involved, including the Boone and Crockett Club, Camp Fire Fund, Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, Foundation for North American Wild Sheep, Friends of the Elkhorn Ranch, Houston Safari Club, Orion – The Hunter’s Institute, MDU Resources Group, Inc., Mule Deer Foundation, National Fish & Wildlife Foundation, National Wild Turkey Federation, North American Grouse Partnership, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Safari Club International, Tesoro Corporation, Theodore Roosevelt Association, Theodore Roosevelt Nature & History Association, United States Forest Service, Whitetails Unlimited, and the Wildlife Habitat Council. The Tesoro Refinery in Mandan, N.D., hosted a ceremony on July 18 to celebrate this great occasion. This ranch has commonly been called “The Cradle of Conservation” because of its lasting impact on our great conservation minded president, Theodore Roosevelt. It is only fitting that it is now public land and is open for all to enjoy. President Roosevelt once wrote, “I never would have been President if it had not been for my experiences in North Dakota.” Teddy Roosevelt was a man of many words and many talents, and he was and still is one of the most recognizable sportsmen in our nation’s history. His quote that follows clearly states what each of us as sportsmen feel in our hearts when we think of pursuing the wild game of our choice: “Only he who has partaken thereof, can appreciate the keen delight of hunting in lonely lands.”

In Colorado, as a result of ongoing project activities associated with the Cherokee State Wildlife Area (SWA), and the commitment of the Northern Front Range chapter volunteers, on July 28 a dedication ceremony was conducted with the chapter officially adopting the SWA. Prior to the dedication, a group of chapter volunteers worked with Colorado Division of Wildlife personnel to install a fifth water source on the property funded by MDF. The SWA is located northwest of Fort Collins, so if you are in the area you should take the time to visit and see the great work that is happening. Special thanks to Mr. Jake Frank, CDOW Wildlife Technician, for his hard work and dedication to the wildlife in and around Cherokee SWA. MDF hopes that this is the first in a long list of SWAs adopted by our local chapters.

In Oregon, can anyone say 70% banquet efficiency? The folks in LaPine, Ore., can! On June 9 the Paulina Peak chapter held their annual banquet and fundraiser. When the night was over the crowd had raised $15,507 for mule deer. The committee worked hard (gathering donations, controlling expenses, etc.) and as a result achieved a phenomenal 73% net to gross. Congratulations to Matt Bales (Oregon State Chair and Chapter Chair) and the rest of the Paulina Peak gang.

In Arizona, at the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (WAFWA) meetings, MDF President and CEO Miles Moretti was the recipient of an Honorary Lifetime Member award from WAFWA. This is a testament to his years of experience in the field of wildlife management that is helping propel MDF into the future as a leader in mule deer conservation.

State Activities

Colorado – On July 20-22, MDF volunteers from the Northern Front Range Chapter of Greeley, Colo., Mile High Chapter of Denver, Colo., Pass The Buck Chapter of Rifle, Colo., High Mountain Chapter of Walden, Colo., Pikes Peak Chapter of Colorado Springs, Colo., and Midwest Chapter from Wisconsin attended the fifth annual Rocky Mountain Regional Workshop (workday) at the Radium State Wildlife Area near Kremmling, Colo. Stan and Carolyn Lueck also made a guest appearance. In all, 38 MDF members and two CDOW employees participated in this weekend event. MDF provided volunteer manpower (and chainsaws) to cut approximately 50+ acres in preparation of a fall 2007 prescribed burn. Way to go. Thanks to all who participated and helped pull off this successful event!

California – Welcome to our newest Regional Director, Don Brown. Don became an employee with MDF on the first of August, and we expect a long working relationship. Some of you may know Don as the former Chapter Chair in Yuba City, Calif., and a longtime contributor thru the donation of Argentina Dove and Waterfowl hunts to both our National Convention and local banquets. Look for more information on Don in the Sept./Oct. 2007 issue of MDF magazine.

Washington – On July 28, the Chehalis Chapter held there first ever MDF banquet and fundraiser. It was a small event but a great success. The 61 mule deer enthusiasts who attended raised over $8,600 for mule deer. Thanks to John Massett and his crew for all of their hard work.

Oregon – On July 21, Regional Director Ron Knapp attended the fourth annual banquet in Ontario, Ore. Jeff and Debbie Jeffries, along with their committee, did an exceptional job. Gross income was down, but through the diligence of the committee the net income was up.

Idaho – On June 23 Regional Director Mike Laughter and Utah State Chair Daren Tuttle were in Boise, ID, for the second annual banquet for the Bennett Hills Chapter of MDF. Mike and Daren visited with the committee and got the layout for their pre-banquet golf tournament scheduled to take place the next day prior to the evening banquet. It was evident that things were going well, with corporate sponsorship for every hole on the golf course. After the golf tournament ended and prizes were given to the winners, it was banquet time. The Bennett Hills Chapter completed a big day of fund-raising with over $17,000, with an amazing 62.3% net. Special thanks to Steve and Amy Alderman and their group for all the extra effort in pulling off two events in one day.

Nevada – With only two months to really plan for an event, the Las Vegas chapter whipped up an exceptional banquet. Two days prior to the banquet only 68 dinner tickets had been sold. But by banquet day, June 30, 95 people had purchased tickets. Although this banquet was small for their first one, all had a good time. Doug Nielsen, the local outdoor writer, was the guest speaker. Doug kept the group laughing with his humor and wit. A big THANK YOU goes to Les Ohlhauser for coming from Colorado to be the auctioneer. The banquet netted over $13,000. The committee has already set the date for April of next year and is hard at work to make next year’s event even better. If you would like to volunteer for this event, please call Gary Murphy at 702-204-9406.

Arizona – On July 8, Regional Director Brandon Mason traveled to Flagstaff, Ariz., to meet MDF President/CEO Miles Moretti and his wife Julie at the Western Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies (WAFWA) meetings. This is a gathering of many of the wildlife professionals, both directors and biologists, who are responsible for managing our nation’s western wildlife populations (including mule deer). This year’s conference theme was the recruitment and retention of hunters and anglers. The plenary session was great with such speakers as Shane Mahoney, the authority on the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation, Rob Sexton of the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance, Rob Keck, CEO of the National Wild Turkey Federation, and Steve Williams, former director of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and current president of the Wildlife Management Institute. This was a great opportunity to work together in order to ensure that our wildlife populations and our numbers of sportsmen are healthy for years to come. These meetings are crucial to the future of mule deer and they are a great place for MDF to have a presence. Besides handing out information about MDF, Miles and Brandon were able to sit in on various committees that are having direct influences on our nation’s deer herds. Brandon is MDF’s liaison to the Mule Deer Working Group (a committee based out of the WAFWA meetings), chaired by Arizona’s Regional Game Specialist Jim Heffelfinger. Over this past year, MDF has been able to have a presence at some of these very high profile meetings, and it hasn’t gone unnoticed by the wildlife agency professionals that manage our nation’s natural resources. This is just one more step in helping the MDF fulfill our mission.

Utah – The Northern Utah Region MDF Workshop held in Huntsville, UT, on July 14. There was great attendance and enthusiasm and discussion about next year’s banquet dates, local projects and MDF merchandise. Twenty-eight people attended representing five different chapters. The day as well as the barbeque, was a big success. Special thanks to Gary Dobyns and his wife Cindy for the wonderful Dutch oven desert they prepared for the group.

Regional Director Mike Laughter would also like to thank Daren Tuttle, MDF State Chairman for Utah, for all of his effort and support throughout this banquet season. His passion and commitment to mule deer and this organization are immeasurable. Thank You Daren.

New Mexico –. June 20, Regional Director Scott Hampel traveled to Ruidoso, N.M., to attend the Mule Deer Management Seminar held at the Ruidoso Convention Center. This one-day conference included guest speakers to discuss topics including: Managing for Trophy Mule Deer on the Jicarilla Apache Reservation by Tom Watts (Wildlife Biologist); Mule Deer Dietary Habits and Nutrition by Dr. Larry Varner (Technical Director, Land O’Lakes Purina Feed); Mule Deer Ecology, Biology and Management by Jim Heffelfinger (Regional Game Specialist, Ariz. Game & Fish Dept.); Marketing Your Hunts by Greg Simons (Wildlife Systems, Inc.); and Private Land Deer Conservation Program by Barry Hale (Deer Program Manager, N.M. Game & Fish Dept.).

Montana – The Mule Deer Foundation started holding Volunteer Workshops in Naturita, Colo., six years ago, and workshops in many states have followed their lead. Montana held their second annual workshop at the Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park on June 16. It was a great time to get together with volunteers from different chapters in Montana and see what everyone has been up to – from both a fundraising and project completion standpoint. Montana’s State Chair Dan Dellinger, former State Chair and current Board Member Ray Rugg, Regional Director Ron Knapp, and many other dedicated volunteers were all instrumental in making this a success. MDF President/CEO Miles Moretti, MDF Merchandise Director Ray Crow, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Game Wardens J.D. Douglas and Mike Fegely, MDF Board of Directors Member Ray Rugg, and Chapter Chair Judy Knapp gave presentations. There was also time to do some brainstorming and discussing amongst chapters on what has and has not worked from a fundraising standpoint.

North Dakota – North Dakota’s first annual Volunteer Workshop is scheduled for Oct. 27, 2007. We will be taking a tour of our current projects that we have on the ground and will be discussing how we can have multiple chapters work together to make projects become more successful. If you are interested in attending, call Brandon Mason at 701-527-0609 or e-mail brandon@muledeer.org.

Nebraska – The Frenchman Chapter of MDF will host their first event on October 26, 2007 at the Red Willow County Fairgrounds in McCook, Neb. For more information contact Brian Perks at 308-737-1305, brian.perks@ngpc.ne.gov, Chad Taylor at 308-697-4005, chad.taylor@ngpc.ne.gov, or Mike Sexton at 308-697-4143, msexton@swnebr.net.

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Special Auctions and Raffles

The following chapters are auctioning or raffling some unique hunting opportunities.

Casper, WY – The Central Wyoming Chapter is offering a four-hunt raffle (Alberta Mule Deer, Wyoming Elk, Nebraska Whitetail or British Columbia Canadian Moose). For more information and to order tickets contact Scott Brownell at 307-267-9647 or e-mail sbrownell@bresnan.net.

Reno, NV – The Reno Chapter is conducting a raffle for Red Stag in New Zealand. Contact Billie Gregory at 775-970-5474 for tickets and information.

New Mexico – The winner of the drawing for the 2007 Lt. Governor’s Special Deer license is Mr. Don Meier. Congratulations, Don and we all hope you have the “hunt of a lifetime.” Thank you to all who purchased tickets, as the funds raised will help in the conservation and management of New Mexico mule deer. We look forward to a future MDF magazine article from Don on his hunt.

Colorado – The winner of the raffle for the statewide deer license for 2007 is Mr. Dennis Pahlisch, and the winner of the statewide pronghorn license is Mr. Robert Hellman. We want to wish the best of luck with each of your hunts, and thanks to all who participated in the raffle as you are helping to secure the future of mule deer in Colorado.