Message from the CEO
September/October 2008
Share the Tradition
During these difficult economic times, it is hard for families and individuals to donate their time and money to conservation organizations.
While reflecting on this exact subject, I felt compelled to share with all of you a point in America's history when steps were taken to prevent our wildlife from ever being denied the much-needed financial support, which they will always need. It happened during one of the most difficult economic times for this country; a time following the Great Depression. It was then that sportsmen and women stepped up to encourage Congress to pass a perpetual funding mechanism for conservation. The Federal Aid in Restoration Act, better know as the Pittman-Robertson Act, was passed by Congress in 1937. These P-R funds were designated as grants to state wildlife agencies.
But what makes this Act so unique, is that it is a tax simply put on hunting related equipment only. What happens is that the federal government allocates this money to states based on the number of hunting licenses sold.
These funds have helped create important wildlife habitat, manage wildlife populations, and helped state wildlife agencies fund programs like hunter safety and other hunting related education programs.
During these same years, state wildlife agencies received very little help from non-profit wildlife conservation groups. The result has been that since the 1980's, these agencies have had a hard time funding traditional wildlife management programs. However, the Mule Deer Foundation and other conservation groups have since been instrumental in donating money and volunteering labor to both state agencies, private landowners, and the federal government. As the government is forced to focus more and more on endangered species and other non-hunting programs, MDF and other groups have filled the gap when management of our favorite animal has become a low priority.
We must stay engaged in conservation with our time and money to ensure that mule deer are conserved well into the future. We owe this not only to ourselves, but more importantly, to our children and grandchildren. Our overall hope should be that we provide the opportunity for our lineage to have the opportunity to view and hunt mule deer.
The theme of our 2009 National Convention will be "Share the Tradition." We must continue to share the tradition of caring and being involved in wildlife conservation; whether that means attending a local banquet, working with a local committee, volunteering to help on projects benefiting mule deer and, of course, donating financially. We know that our economy will get better, it always does. However, now is the time where we can show the world how we, as mule deer conservationists, react during these economic challenges.
We must also stay engaged in the political process. It is imperative to remain involved with our local, state, and federal wildlife agencies to encourage them to keep mule deer and mule deer management a high priority.
Work with a local biologist to develop a project in your area. Most state wildlife agencies have committees that focus on mule deer management or hunting regulations. Get engaged in this public process and let your voice be heard. State wildlife agency budgets are going to be tight this next year. We must encourage them not to sacrifice mule deer programs to meet this shortfall.
The 2007 annual report is now available on-line and upon request at national headquarters. The accomplishments in 2007 were tremendous, and as 2008 winds down, MDF is proud to announce that we have not slowed in either growth of members, chapters, or funding of on-the-ground projects. MDF also continues to increase our stature in the national conservation scene as we are being asked for our input on national issues impacting mule deer.
Fall is an exciting time, whether you have a hunting permit or not. While some of you may be hunting a little closer to home this year, it is my hope that you everyone will be in the field with family and friends. Remember it is about quality time not quantity! I have heard that as we get older, very few of us look back and wish that we had spent more time at work. We generally regret any missed opportunity of being with our family and our friends. As always don't forget to make memories that last a lifetime this fall and especially take time to "Share the Tradition" with someone you care about!
Miles Moretti