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 By
TINA ELY
Daily Press Staff
The Gila Chapter of the Mule Deer Foundation is bringing funding back
to Grant County to enhance and support mule deer habitat, according
to Leon Redman and Charles Rivera, members of the chapter.
"We want people in this area to know where the money we raised at last
year's Mule Deer Banquet went," Redman said. "Nine thousand dollars
of it came back to our area, following proposals submitted by our chapter
to the National Mule Deer Foundation.
"We are using this money to enhance habitat, help out Operation Game
Thief, bring back mountain mahogany, plant cool-season grasses and help
with existing water catchments," he said.
 The
chapter also used a small portion of the money for education at various
gun shows and fairs around the area, Redman said.
Improvement projects have been scheduled for Saturday, March 24, to
work on Bear Mountain.
This project involves pruning back mountain mahogany, planting cool-season
grasses, and enhancing existing water catchment areas.
The group welcomes participation and asks interested people to help.
Participants plan to meet on Bear Mountain Road at 10 a.m., March 24.
People can just follow the signs after they drive through the forest
boundary, Rivera said.
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GOALS
of the MDF
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MDF is dedicated to the following GOALS:
1. To restore, improve and protect mule deer habitat (including
land and easement acquisitions) resulting in self-sustaining,
healthy, free ranging and huntable deer populations;
2. To encourage and support responsible wildlife management with
government agencies, private organizations and landowners;
3. To promote public education and scientific research related
to mule deer and wildlife management;
4. To support and encourage responsible and ethical behavior and
awareness of issues among those whose actions affect mule deer;
5. Acknowledge regulated hunting as a viable component of mule
and blacktail deer conservation;
6. To influence public policy for the benefit of mule and blacktail
deer conservation. |
The
Burro Mountain Rock Header Project is planned for the near future.
According to Redman, this project would back up water in a dry streambed
to provide a permanent water source for deer and other wildlife, and
help stabilize key riparian areas. It would also enhance the area for
the deer. Some pruning would be done, he said.
The public is also invited to participate during this project. Specific
times and dates will be announced nearer to the planned date early in
June.
The next Mule Deer Foundation banquet will be held Wednesday, April
7, at 5:30 p.m. in the Flame Convention Center.
 Organizers
are expecting about 400 participants, and 40 or more booths.
Tickets for the event can be picked up from Charles or Frederic Rivera
at 388-9541 or 388-0355. The cost is $65 a couple or $50 for singles.
The price includes a Quarterly Mule Deer Magazine, a newsletter, a T-shirt
and a prime rib dinner.
If people buy their ticket early, by March 16, they will be entered
in an early-bird drawing for a rifle, Rivera said.
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