High Desert News
September/October 2008
Mike Laughter, MDF Regional Director
The summer is half over, and our thoughts are changing to the crisp mountain air and cooler weather that awaits us in the not so distant future. Our focus has turned to weekend forays and scouting expeditions with the hopes of finding that special buck. I hope that you all have a safe and enjoyable fall season and that you take time to appreciate the beautiful place in which we live.
When I last wrote, my banquet season was drawing to a close with just a few events left on my schedule. In fact, May 31 found me and my State Chairman, Wayne Winsor, in the home stretch of banquet season and in Wasatch Co. Utah, for their third annual banquet. Their event was another in a long line of successful banquets this year. Though we had to be imaginative when trying to stuff 110 people into a room better suited for 75, the excitement filled what little space was left. Great job guys. Special thanks to Jeff Rasband, Paul Kendall and Jeff Wade.
Jeff Wade owns and operates the Mt. Land One Stop in Heber City, Utah, and advertised with our MDF logo and banquet information on his big digital sign for weeks leading up to the banquet at no charge. Thanks Jeff.
The next stop on the MDF tour lead us further north to Brigham City, Utah, for the Mule Deer Foundations first ever Utah state wide trap shoot. In the beginning it was fairly evident that we might just be a little out of our element in trying to produce this style of fund raiser. But our minds were put at ease after meeting the club members at the Golden Spike Trap Club. This facility is one of the finest and most well-run clubs I've ever seen with groomed lawns and club members there to aid and assist less experienced shooters. With these fine people there to help, how could we lose?
We credit our success in large part due to the efforts of the trap club as well as the MDF volunteers that represented 5 Chapters from around the state. This was a unique event for us, something a little different that reached a new crowd. I watched as everyone participated throughout the day and witnessed as family, friends and the first time shooter all having a great time. With the success of this event, be sure to mark your calendars for next year. The date is tentatively set for June 7. Special thanks to The Golden Spike Trap Club in Brigham City, Utah. You guys are great. I would also like to thank some of the people, for which, this event would not have been possible. Cindy and Gary Dobyns from the Davis Co. Chapter, Jeremy Snitker who spear-headed the event and also from the Davis Co. Chapter. Thank you guys for the extra effort.
With the trap shoot behind us, we were off to the Southern end of the state for our last Utah banquet of the year. It would be the Red Rock Chapter of St. George, Utah=s 5th annual event which was a great way to end the year with yet another great banquet in the books. Special thanks to Lynn and Georgette Haas for their friendships as well as their commitment to mule deer.
I would also like to express my sincere thanks to my traveling partner and Utah=s MDF State Chairman Wayne Windsor for his time and commitment to the cause. Thanks for riding shotgun all year and rocking out to my music.
If you would like become involved with the Mule Deer Foundation and give something back. Feel free to contact me at mlaughter@muledeer.org or by phone at 801-391-0567.
Remember to take a kid hunting so that later on they will take you.