At a banquet Saturday evening, the San Rafael Chapter of the Mule Deer Foundation raised thousands of dollars for conservation projects in this area.
The funds will be used during the coming year in association with projects identified by the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources.
Clark Ungerman, San Rafael Chapter chairman, said it is the biggest fundraiser of the year for the chapter, but is only one of many held in the 15 chapters across Utah.
In all the foundation raised $1,266,354 last year. Since almost all members are volunteer, the vast majority of the money goes toward conservation projects in the state.
Only 7 percent of the money is spent for administration and 4 percent is spent on fundraising. The other 89 percent goes directly to projects.
In the San Rafael Chapter area, $278,000 was spent on projects last year. The goal is to improve habitat for Mule Deer and Black Tailed-deer. Black Tailed-deer are very closely related to Mule deer.
The fundraiser, at the Tuscan Event Center In Price, was the fourth annual for the San Rafael Chapter.
The objective, explained Ungerman, is to get all the members together and to raise money for projects. There was a silent auction, a live auction, and a raffle. Among the hundreds of donated items were several conservation permits,which allow a lucky person to hunt for a world-class deer or elk. People walked away with several rifles, spotting scopes, binoculars, archery equipment, and lots of other door prizes.
Jeremy Anderson, regional director for the foundation, said there are numerous threats to mule deer populations. These include urban develop/sprawl, predation, highway mortality, wild fires, energy development, disease, overgrazing, severe winters, and competition with elk and white-tail deer.
Addressing all those issues is the purpose of the foundation.
Foundation goals include:
• Restore, improve, and protect mule deer and black-tailed deer habitat.
• Encourage and support responsible wildlife management.
• Promote public education and scientific research.
• Support and encourage responsible and ethical behavior.
• Support regulated hunting.
• Develop programs that focus on recruitment and retention of youth into shooting sports and conservation.
Mule Deer Foundation holds fundraiser
The San Rafael Mule Deer Foundation committee members show off items given away at Saturday’s fund-raising banquet. From left: Zac Jones, Garth Luke, Clark Ungerman, Janell Norton, Chance Norton, Rod Carter, and Eric Vigor.