High Desert News
July/August 2008
Mike Laughter, MDF Regional Director
Things have been pretty busy since I last wrote. It was early in the banquet season, and we were off and running with three great events under our belt. Nothing has changed – things couldn’t be better. At every event, I see new faces, I meet new people, and the excitement about the direction we as an organization are heading is plain to see. With attendance up at every event as well as net dollars, this means nothing but great things for mule deer and the places they call home.
March 30 – I found myself close to home for the Salt Lake Valley Chapter’s annual banquet and fund raiser. What a big success. With attendance up as well as net dollars, this veteran committee did a wonderful job pulling it together. Special thanks to Peter Milburn and his crew on another great banquet.
April 12 – It was off to Beaver, Utah, for their first ever banquet, which proved to be more of the same. Even though this was a first time event, things ran smoothly. Just as new Chapter Chairman Reed Dalton had promised, Beaver, Utah, was ready for an MDF Chapter. With 120 in attendance and the support of the community, this event was another big success. They have already picked a guzzler project for their chapter rewards. Special thanks to Reed and Dez Dalton for an outstanding job.
April 19 – I was able to stay at home for the first time all year. It was my home town banquet and the Ogden Chapter’s 14th annual event. With a group of veteran volunteers and a commitment to the conservation effort, the evening was another huge success. This group puts a strong emphasis on involving the youth with special games and drawings just for them. The young lady who won the guided cow elk hunt that came with a Remington rifle just happened to be a back to back winner from the previous year. She showed class beyond her years when she accepted the cow hunt but chose to donate the rifle back to the drawing. As the crowd cheered and applauded her choice, it made me think about the type of people I have had the privilege to be associated with as I travel the state of Utah. Special thanks to Blake Hancock and crew on a job well done.
April 26 – It was the Sanpete Chapter’s turn to impress with their fourth annual banquet held at Snow College. They showed no signs of slowing down as they hit yet another one out of the park with 160 in attendance and the undying enthusiasm of their Chapter Chairman Kurt Kelso. With continued support from the community, this chapter will be helping mule deer for years to come. Thanks guys!
May 2 – The front end of back to back banquets, found me headed north for a change. It was time for the Box Elder County Chapter’s third annual banquet. At the risk of sounding redundant, this banquet was nothing short of another huge success. With outstanding teamwork the Box Elder County Chapter is living proof you can raise money for mule deer anywhere. In a rural community with limited options for a hall big enough to hold their event, they were able to put the auction barn at the Tremonton Fair Grounds to good use. Special thanks to John Hurley, Skyler Brown and Shelly Lewis.
May 3 – The second half of back to back banquets was Utah’s highest netting and most efficient chapter for two years running. The Uintah Basin Chapter in Vernal, Utah, is definitely firing on all cylinders as they were sold out the day of the banquet. Well, you get the picture. Their event was another great success. The passion and excitement generated by this group was awesome, and it showed the night of their event. Special thanks to Joan Cranny, Kenion Powell, Jeff Cranny and Allen Benion for their efforts.
May 9 – The Utah County Chapter was ready to hold their fourth annual banquet. Though this chapter is still getting started in Utah County, you couldn’t tell as 85 of the most fun-loving banquet goers you’ve ever seen, gathered to raise money for a species it was obvious they all cared about. You guessed it, another great banquet.
We are currently looking for committee members to help with any of next year’s banquets. If you would like to get involved, please call Wayne Winsor, Utah State Chairman. Special thanks to a few of MDF's finest that were on hand to help out with the banquet from the Davis County Chapter Jeremy Zumwald, The Salt Lake Chapter Ed Farr, and from the Box Elder Chapter John Hurley and Skyler Brown. Thanks guys.
May 17 – I’m headed west on I-80 for the Tooele Chapter’s second annual banquet. Though new to MDF, this group is not new to conservation or building banquets. It definitely showed as the night went off without a hitch, and we had yet another successful banquet in the books. This group is also committed to giving back to wildlife, as they have made plans to use their chapter rewards for two very important water projects east of their town that will benefit mule deer on public ground. Great job guys! Special thanks to Cindy Mosteller and Jeremy College.
May 30 – As I finish this article, I am preparing for a banquet tomorrow in Heber City, Utah, that promises to be another outstanding event. I’ll keep you posted.
At this time, I would like to recognize a group of volunteers that I affectionately refer to as the “posse” or “banquet junkies” as they call themselves. Sometimes when I start a new event, a large, well-organized committee is not always an option. Generally it starts out as one guy that really cares about mule deer. This is my only criteria for starting a new chapter. Because of this, I frequently find myself short handed the day of the banquet. This group of volunteers I mentioned, “The Posse,” have on numerous occasions dropped everything to come to my aid. They are what makes being part of this organization so special. These are guys that will drive hundreds of miles at a moment’s notice to support the organization in its efforts to raise money for mule deer, a species they care so deeply about. I would like you to know who they are. From the Davis County Chapter Gary Dobyns and Jeremy Zumwald; from the Box Elder Chapter John Hurley and Skyler Brown (who at the ripe old age of fifteen is wise beyond his years); from the Salt Lake Valley Chapter Ed Farr; from the Tooele Chapter Cindy Mosteller; from the MDF office Vice President of Marketing Ray Crow and last but certainly not least my right hand man and Utah State Chairman Wayne Winsor. Thank You!
If you would like to know how you to can get involved with the Mule Deer Foundation and give something back, please call me at 801-391-0567 or mlaughter@muledeer.org.
Remember to take a kid hunting so that later on they will take you.