Mule Deer Foundation

Ensuring the conservation of mule deer, black-tailed deer and their habitats


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News from the Field

May/June 2010

By Bob Meulengracht

To view photos from the 2010 Volunteer Recognition and Life Member Event, Click Here ..

On Saturday Feb. 13, 2010, at the tenth annual Mule Deer Foundation Convention the MDF staff hosted a Life Member and Volunteer Recognition Brunch, fully underwritten by Midway USA and free to all MDF regular members and Lifetime Members.

This happens to be my favorite event at each of our conventions for a number of reasons. First, it is a chance to see some old friends that I may not have seen in a year or more. Second, it is a chance to meet new volunteers that hopefully I can call a friend in the future. Third, it is a chance for the staff at MDF to say thanks to our members and volunteers for their accomplishments during the preceding year.

With well over 100 Life Members and volunteers in attendance this year, the event was a great success. As always, something unusual/unexpected happens at this event. For instance, in 2009 Regional Director Mike Laughter did his best impression as an auctioneer and sold a set of four prints twice – once for $5,000, and upon them being donated back, he sold them again for $1,500. These prints had been donated by California State Co-chair John and his wife Teresa Terry.

Auctioneer Mike Laughter
Auctioneer Mike Laughter

John Hurley, recipient of the Maggie Justice Conservationist of the Year Award
L-R: John Hurley, recipient of the Maggie Justice Conservationist of the Year
Award, with MDF President & CEO Miles Moretti

This year Mike was again the auctioneer, and we did indeed raise a few dollars for mule deer. But the primary reason for this event is to give out awards to chapters and committees for outstanding contributions to MDF and for the benefit of mule deer, black-tailed deer and their habitat.

The unusual/unexpected happened when Mike Laughter announced the recipient of this year’s “Maggie Justice Conservationist of the Year” award to Box Elder County Chapter Chair John Hurley. John had no idea this award was coming, and the look on his face was priceless. John not only gives his time to volunteer for MDF but is also helping to bring youth into the hunting by being a Hunter’s Education instructor. Additionally, John has and continues to volunteer for several other wildlife conservation organizations. This is one of the highest awards the Field Staff at MDF gives, and John is well deserving of the award. Congratulations, John – Maggie would be proud!

The other 2010 award recipients for accomplishments in 2009 are:

For new chapters:

For existing chapters:

For all chapters:

Bob Terry Sweat Equity Awards – The “Bob Terry Sweat Equity Award Bronze” is awarded to chapters that put in up to 500 hours of time on hands-on projects. This year’s recipients include:

Chapters joining the 60% Net Club for 2009 are:

Additionally we would like to thank our 2009 State Chairs:

  • Arizona
    Art  Craker
  • California
    John Terry
    George Corder
    Rich Fletcher
  • Colorado
    Joe Straley
  • Idaho
    Dave Peterson
  • Montana
    Dan Dellinger
    John Wilson
  • Missouri
    Dennis Neier
  • Nevada
    Oly Flach
    Billie Gregory
  • New Mexico
    Jacob Tolk
  • Utah
    Wayne Winsor
  • Washington
    George Justice
    Mike Jones

State Chairs
L-R: Art Craker, Rich Fletcher, Dave Peterson, Wayne Winsor, Miles Moretti
and Dan Dellinger

Thanks to all of our chapters and volunteers! The Staff and I look forward to seeing you all again next year at the Volunteer Recognition and awards event.

Want to see more photos from the 2010 Volunteer Recognition and Life Member Event?
Click here ...

Most Improved for 2010

The bar has been set for 2010! If your chapter wants to be the “Most Improved – Existing Chapter in 2010” you will have some stiff competition. Immediately after convention the Klamath Falls Chapter put together their best event ever. After the “smoke had cleared” they had raised almost $52,000 net for mule deer (an increase of over $13,000 from 2009), their banquet efficiency increased by over 15% to 67.6%, and their attendance increased by almost 60 people. All of this means an increase in chapter rewards by over $4,000 to $10,719. Congratulations Klamath Falls!

The following week the Northern Front Range (NFR) chapter had their event at the Budweiser Events Center in Loveland, Colo. Again, “What an Event!” The chapter raised an all-time high for the state of Colorado for a single event with $56,648.78. This represents an increase of almost $18,000 from what the chapter raised in 2009. The banquet efficiency increased to 69.1%, and the increase in chapter rewards more than doubled – in 2009 the NFR Chapter was awarded $5,400 and in 2010 they will receive over $12,000. I should point out that this chapter has done a great job in getting Conservation Partnerships (CPs) and Project Partnerships (PPs) in the past, and this year’s event was no exception. In 2010 the chapter received $8,000 in CPs and PPs, bringing their total to $33,800 since 2006. Great Job NFR Chapter!

Good luck to the rest of the chapters and remember … the “bar has been set.”

New Chapters

In the first quarter we have had a number of new chapters started throughout the west. If you would like to help out on any of these chapters please give them a call:

North Lake
Christmas Valley, Ore.
Ken Grassman
541-815-4339 or grassmanfarm@internetextension.com
Banquet date: April 10, 2010
Note: This chapter had their first Annual Banquet and Fundraiser prior to publication/posting. 85 people attended the event raising over $9,000 net with a 59% banquet efficiency. Great job!

Great Falls
Great Falls, Mont.
Todd Davey
406-781-3815
Banquet date: August 20, 2010

Conrad
Conrad, Mont.
Clinton Denney
406-289-0968
Banquet date: February 19, 2011

Four Corners
Ignacio/Durango, Colo.
Keith Poulton
970-769-5740 or poultonbuilt@yahoo.com
Banquet date: Early October 2010

Also, there has been interest expressed in the Fort Morgan, Colo., area. If you live in this area and are interested in helping out contact Bob Meulengracht at 303-907-8702 or meulengracht@muledeer.org .

Special Big Game Licenses Available

This year as in past years some of our chapters have the opportunity to sell (auction or raffle) some special big game licenses at their annual banquets and fundraisers. These events include:

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