Resignation at MDF - Utah

[tuttut2001]

I continue to receive e-mails concerning MDF and need to get the word out.

I have resigned as the Utah State Chair as of February 6, 2008. I have enjoyed my association with many individuals within MDF but, cannot support the organization at this time.

I wanted each of you to know that Mike Laughter (Regional Director of MDF) is one of the greatest individuals I have ever met! He truly does care about Mule Deer and works his butt off every day, all day in support of us as Sportsmen, Sportswomen and the General Public. He puts in more hours than anyone I have ever known to see that our rights are upheld.

He has been working non-stop the past few weeks to see that feeding stations have been put up and are being run in the Ogden Valley, East Canyon, Henefer, Morgan and Kamas/Heber.

If everyone took the responsibility that Mike takes in the Outdoors, the world would be a great place with great, well-managed herds in Utah and elsewhere. If Mike and a few others (Ray Crow) were running the show at MDF, I would still be there and supporting them to this day.

Please forward all questions and correspondence about the Mule Deer Foundation and the state of Utah (MDF) to Mike at [email protected].

Thank you

Daren Tuttle

 

[Hawkeye]

Daren-

I do not know you and I am not affiliated with MDF. However, I have seen and read your posts over the past year or so. You have always tried your best to answer questions and provide information. Not too many people are willing to enter the fray on the internet and respond to tough questions. Although I have no knowledge or information as to what lead to your departure from MDF, I am convinced that it will be their loss. In my opinion, MDF is losing a honest, hard working, stand up guy. Good luck with your future endeavors.

Hawkeye

 

[slamdunk]

Thanks for all your time, efforts and hard work Daren.

And the best of wishes to your future, your a great guy and have always been very helpful.




Skull Krazy
"No Bones About It"

 

[Founder]

Let's hear the story Daren. It doesn't sound like you just got burned out, but rather burned???

Brian Latturner
MonsterMuleys.com

 

[AWHOLELOTTABULL]

Founder,
I'm pretty sure that your Monster Muleys forum is not the place for that disclosure. In fact, I'm a little disappointed that you even asked.

Darren,
Thanks for all of your hard work. It's evident that you care a great deal about the mule deer in the state of Utah and other neighboring states. Whatever the reason, good luck to you in your future endeavors. I too support Mike and Ray. You are right about those guys, they are excellent people and are great to work with.

It's always an adventure!!!
www.awholelottabull.com

 

[2_Point]

I say good on Founder for asking. How else can we know what is going on with these groups?

If we, the members can't know how the cart is pulled or the destination then why should we ride on it?

The MDF has been a sore spot for friends of mine who have a hard time understanding why they employ people who have abused the very resource they are claiming to protect.

Writers for their rag were on probation for wildlife violations against mule deer.

The facts should always be told. Otherwise we have no way of knowing where the group is headed.

 

[proutdoors]

Getting one side of a story is NOT how we get the whole story. I have to agree with awholelotabull on this, I see no positive outcome to someome airing their dirty laundry on the internet. I wish you well Mt Tuttle, and I look forward to working with Mike and Ray and others with MDF in Utah.

PRO

Define, develop, and sustain BOTH trophy and opportunity hunts throughout the state of Utah.

 

[AWHOLELOTTABULL]

>The MDF has been a sore
>spot for friends of mine
>who have a hard time
>understanding why they employ people
>who have abused the very
>resource they are claiming to
>protect.
>
>Writers for their rag were on
>probation for wildlife violations against
>mule deer.
>
>The facts should always be told.
> Otherwise we have no
>way of knowing where the
>group is headed

I agree with you as far as knowing details with regards to the organization as a whole. I am a member of MDF and I want to know what is going on in the organization. However, my reservation lies with an idividuals reasoning behind a resignation. I really don't think a public forum is the place to air that out. Ask yourself this question, would you want to explain your resignation on a forum where many are not members of your organization. Is it really EVERYBODIES business. IMO, NO!
It's always an adventure!!!
www.awholelottabull.com

 

[BUL_KRZY]

Darren doesn't know me and I don't really know Darren - but I know about Darren via the Davis County MDF banquet last year!

Darren was honored by Mike and MDF for all of his hard work (VOLUNTEER!!!!) for the sake of Mule Deer in our state!

I could be wrong here - but I think that ALL that Darren does and has done to this point for MDF has been volunteer work! Hours and hours of his own time chasing all over the state with Mike doing good for Sportsmen and women in this state.

Darren should be commended for doing what most are not willing to do in this day and age! I know MDF lost a good man - but more importantly we have lost a TREMENDOUS advocate for the betterment of Mule Deer populations and hunting opportunities in the state of UT.

Wish you well Darren - I guess we'll miss you this Friday????

Would love to know the rest of the story - perhaps my money should be being spent elsewhere!

 

[B_F_E]

OOOoohhwww, B_F stirrin it...........
BTW, B.F. is Brian/Founder.

O.K. I know Daren is an A+ dude & all,
Yet if you post info as above ^^^^ its not an attempt to keep it all on the down low, so I, 2 wanna know the rest of the story...

Sup ?

 

[NeverStopHuntin]

I have heard some good things and some really bad things about MDF SFW ect. I think its time we start a sportsman group that is focused on bettering mule deer and not changing rules or getting tags to the highest bidder. It seems more and more all you hear about these big groups is corruption and greed. I worry about how many of the expo tags are really going into the drawing (correct me if i'm wrong, didn't about 50 tags somehow disapear last year?) I know that there is a lot of stand up guys on this site that really care about mule deer. I am more then willing to spend time in the hills planting bitterbrush. Anyone who feels the same way send me a pm and lets get something started.

 

[PleaseDear]

This is sad to read Daren.

You have always been a person that just answered any questions without any big spin around or avoiding the question (s).

It will be very hard to replace you as a person and to replace your dedication.

Robb

 

[Founder]

The sportsmen of Utah give up hundreds of conservation and expo tags each year in order to keep MDF in business, I personally like to know what's going on when a highly respected state chair steps down and makes comments like;
"I have enjoyed my association with many individuals within MDF but, cannot support the organization at this time."
"If Mike and a few others (Ray Crow) were running the show at MDF, I would still be there and supporting them to this day."

I think if Daren didn't want to talk about it, he wouldn't have said anything in this forum at all. I really don't know what the big deal is about someone sharing their opinion about a conservation group that is kept in business by DONATED DOLLARS and TAGS.

Brian Latturner
MonsterMuleys.com

 

[shadowstalker]

I agree with Founder .Please don't allude , suggest or imply inuendo without giving the full story .Everyone has by now built a picture based on what little bit has been said .
We hurt no one by responding with a question to a post that was voluntarily given .This is a site that trades information and ideas -- period.
I would also question anyone who thinks they are the edicate police yet try to badger, scold or intimidate anyone here for wanting to ask any question ?

 

[tuttut2001]

I apologize for starting this type of chain.

I did not mean to show MDF or any other Conservation organization in a bad light. I have a great respect for any individual or organization that will step up and actually try to do the right thing.

My comments about not being able to support MDF at this type dealt with a personality conflict with a couple of the "higher-ups" within MDF and not as a group. Things were said, feelings were hurt and I lost an organization that meant an awful lot to me. I left the organization for personal reasons and do not wish harm to MDF or any other organization.

My respect and admiration for Mike Laughter and Ray Crow has only increased as I have watched them do everything in their power to give information, more projects along and honestly try to improve the Mule Deer herds in all areas.

Everyone thinks that these Regional Directors make tons of money and get all these incredible perks. As someone who actually knows, I could not survive on what these individuals get in return for all the time away from their families and dealing with people who are usually not in the best of moods.

I only made the post as I was still receiving alot of messages for MDF and thought that this website was the best way to get this type of information out. With all the feeding of deer going on right now, I did not want anyone to think that they were being ignored when they e-mailed me about volunteering or donating. I may of had a personality conflict with a few individuals, but I do not want anyone to think that I was ignoring them or that they were not important to the Mule Deer Foundation or any other organization that is assisting in this critical feeding program.

I will not be attending any banquets this year. Only because for the past three years, Almost every weekend from January to June has been taken up with MDF business/banquets, along with most of my nights during the entire year. My family is getting older and I feel that they have taken a back seat long enough. I want to spend more time with them and maybe even get in a few fishing days.

Please know that I wish no harm or bad feeling to anyone. Mule Deer and wildife in general are important to me and I believe, important to most of the individuals on this site. The best thing we cna do is look out for each other and the wildlife and passion that we enjoy.

Thank you for all that each of you do!!

Daren

 

[FishlakeElkHunter]

>I apologize for starting this type
>of chain.
>
>I did not mean to show
>MDF or any other Conservation
>organization in a bad light.
> I have a great
>respect for any individual or
>organization that will step up
>and actually try to do
>the right thing.
>
>My comments about not being able
>to support MDF at this
>type dealt with a personality
>conflict with a couple of
>the "higher-ups" within MDF and
>not as a group.
>Things were said, feelings were
>hurt and I lost an
>organization that meant an awful
>lot to me. I
>left the organization for personal
>reasons and do not wish
>harm to MDF or any
>other organization.
>
>My respect and admiration for Mike
>Laughter and Ray Crow has
>only increased as I have
>watched them do everything in
>their power to give information,
>more projects along and honestly
>try to improve the Mule
>Deer herds in all areas.
>
>
>Everyone thinks that these Regional Directors
>make tons of money and
>get all these incredible perks.
> As someone who actually
>knows, I could not survive
>on what these individuals get
>in return for all the
>time away from their families
>and dealing with people who
>are usually not in the
>best of moods.
>
>I only made the post as
>I was still receiving alot
>of messages for MDF and
>thought that this website was
>the best way to get
>this type of information out.
> With all the feeding
>of deer going on right
>now, I did not want
>anyone to think that they
>were being ignored when they
>e-mailed me about volunteering or
>donating. I may of
>had a personality conflict with
>a few individuals, but I
>do not want anyone to
>think that I was ignoring
>them or that they were
>not important to the Mule
>Deer Foundation or any other
>organization that is assisting in
>this critical feeding program.
>
>I will not be attending any
>banquets this year. Only
>because for the past three
>years, Almost every weekend from
>January to June has been
>taken up with MDF business/banquets,
>along with most of my
>nights during the entire year.
> My family is getting
>older and I feel that
>they have taken a back
>seat long enough. I
>want to spend more time
>with them and maybe even
>get in a few fishing
>days.
>
>Please know that I wish no
>harm or bad feeling to
>anyone. Mule Deer and
>wildife in general are important
>to me and I believe,
>important to most of the
>individuals on this site.
>The best thing we cna
>do is look out for
>each other and the wildlife
>and passion that we enjoy.
>
>
>Thank you for all that each
>of you do!!
>
>Daren

I think this is exactly what Founder was asking for. And thanks Daren for the the reply.

 

[huntin100]

Good luck Darren. Hope you have some good family time coming up. I think you volunteered alot, and did a fine job for wildlife. Thanks, Greg

 

[elkhunterUT]

Daren,
I don't know you personally, but I have a lot of respect for you nonetheless. A while back there was a post on this site about the # of conservation tags Utah gives out and I shared my opinion and displeasure with the current system. You responded to my posts with good information and never once brought personal attacks, emotion, or "tooting of your own horn" into the conversation. The same can't be said of other conservation group "leaders" in many cases on this site. I think leadership like yours is sorely lacking in these groups, so I am sure your absence will be a big loss for MDF.

I wish you the best and thank you for all you did for Mule Deer and hunters in Utah and surrounding states!!

Cory

 

[out4elk]

Thank you for all your hard work with MDF, you will be missed.

It is good to hear Ray Crow's name floating around. He is very passionate about mule deer and does a good job no matter the project.


?Here?s to the hero's that Git-R-Done!!?

 

[Hunterted]

>I have heard some good things
>and some really bad things
>about MDF SFW ect. I
>think its time we start
>a sportsman group that is
>focused on bettering mule deer
>and not changing rules or
>getting tags to the highest
>bidder. It seems more and
>more all you hear about
>these big groups is corruption
>and greed. I worry about
>how many of the expo
>tags are really going into
>the drawing (correct me if
>i'm wrong, didn't about 50
>tags somehow disapear last year?)
>I know that there is
>a lot of stand up
>guys on this site that
>really care about mule deer.
>I am more then willing
>to spend time in the
>hills planting bitterbrush. Anyone who
>feels the same way send
>me a pm and lets
>get something started.


I agree. SFW want to run the whole show and they won't be happy until they have thier way....

 

[runner]

The one truth in life is there are always 3 sides to the story, His, Theirs and then the truth is always somewhere in the middle. Daren is probably telling the truth saying there was a personality conflict, but it could of been his personality conflicting just like it could of been theirs.

People are usually not like they seem. Everyone has skeletons and agendas. Daren is no different then anyone else on this matter. He probably did not get something the way he wanted it so he left. This happens everyday in life. I am quit positive his departure will not criple the foundation.

Todd G.

 

[tuttut2001]

Todd,

I appreciate your comments. Your right about the fact that it could have been my personality conflicting with others. No one is perfect and everyone has things that can be fixed or improved upon. I am no different.

The Mule Deer Foundation is not crippled by my leaving and will continue doing the great things that it always has. The mark of a great organization is that it is not based upon just one individual for it's survival. Those groups that are held together by one individual are usually fleeting and worth very little.

Again, thanks for your comments and opinions and good luck in the coming year.

Daren

 

[TFinalshot]

"Ask yourself this question, would you want to explain your resignation on a forum where many are not members of your organization. Is it really EVERYBODIES business. IMO, NO!"


The day the mdf STOP's being subsidized by MY tax dollars, it the day it's business is private, until then, they are a publicly subsidized organization and as such they need to be transparent.

If they give up their "environmentalist," wildlife preserve tax sheltered designation, and turn back 100% of both the tax subsidies and no longer allow "donations" for tags to be deducted from an individuals income tax, I'd agree with the above post. . .

 

[bamacpl]

It seems to me that who ever has taken over isn't doing such a good job...as of yet... IMO! I have contacted Mike on several occasions to see if there may be anything that I can do to help feed the wildlife here in northern Utah & have not even heard a word from nobody except Daren letting me know of his resignation & that he forwarded my info to the other individual. Don't seem to me that there is much of a problem with feeding the wildlife; especially if their willing to turn down free volunteer help!!!