Fishon to run MDF!

[runner]

I was just imformed that Fishon is now incharge of the MDF. I was told that he will be making the decesions as to the MDF's direction while answering to the acting CEO Pat Juhl.

I think this could be a very good jump start for the MDF and something that is long overdue. From what I know of fishon he seems pretty upfront and a no nonsense guy. I know he has said some pretty harsh thing in the past but I believe I will give him a chance.

If the MDF is to make a difference I guess now they have the guy that can help them. The jury is out, Is Fishon the guy for the job?

Todd G.

 

[Deerlove]

Well SFW taught him how is sell wealth tags to the highest bidder so fund raising shouldn't be a problem.

 

[GS1000]

He'll be on here soon telling us how he can't make everyone happy and is doing his best. The bottom line is when you tell people that after the silent bid deadline of Decmeber 31st that the remaining tags will go to auction at banquets and then continue to sell tags to outfitters to sell to clients and because you're not a "buddy" you don't have an opportunity to bid is DECEPTION and WRONG!

He got a little power and legally could do what he wanted with the tags and it got the best of him. I don't trust him at all. He seems to be trying to be the hero in some peoples eyes and honesty takes a back seat!

 

[ARROWHNTR]

Here we go again bashing on Tony, soon the rumors of him being an abusive drunk, and sitings of him stumbling through the streets of south Utah County will start.

Well non of that was ever true and like him or not he is one heck of a fundraiser, and SFW took a huge hit when he left.

 

[Deerlove]

Who said he was a drunk??

 

[runner]

I would like whoever posts on this subject to justify their comments,none of this vauge bull#$*% If you have dirt lets hear it. If it is hearsay keep it to yourself.

Does anyone have any personal experience with Fishon? Lets hear it from the horses mouth.

Todd G.

 

[GS1000]

OK here is one you will all be familiar with, why was the Gov. deer tag sold under the table and not EVER advertised or sold in public? I could care less about the Gov tag but when even the rich don't have an opportunity to bid on a fund raising tag, that is messed up. I heard it was sold last October or November before any other tags!

 

[ARROWHNTR]

Deerlove,

Last year there was a post about Tony there were a lot of negitive coments made about him, basically people were saying anything they could to make Tony look bad. I agree with Todd a lot of what is said about Tony is B.S. I think he is a good guy

 

[Hawkeye]

In my opinion, Tony is a stand up guy. He may be a little rough around the edges but he knows his stuff and will do a fine job.

Hawkeye

 

[fishon]

Thanks to those of you who know me and what I stand for, and to those of you that accuse me of wrong doing well you really don't know me.

I am excited about the chance to work for the MDF. They are a group that is going to be a key player in restoring Mule Deer to their rightful numbers in the west.

I believe we have the chance to do great things for mule deer in the west, we will not take a brow beat approach. We believe everyones voice should be heard and considered in the process.

Trophy animals are important to the MDF but no more important then opportunity. We believe there is a compromise and we want to help find it.

I have 1 motive for doing what I am doing and it is somewhat of a selfish motive, I want to hunt deer on public land during the general season with my kids. If this is a crime then I am guilty as charged. Realisticly my children will never hunt elk in Utah outside of a spike or cow hunt. When my oldest is able to put in for the draws there will be people with 16 bonus points. All he has to look forward to is the deer hunt.

Thanks again for all those who get involved and truly try to make a diffrence, I do not have all the answers but what I know is if Mule deer are to be saved then the MDF should lead the charge as they will.

Your in wildlife

Tony Abbott
801-885-1274

 

[fishon]

GS 1000

A point of clarification. The statewide deer tag was sold in December to a gentlman for $82,000. the check was sent and deposited shortly after. $82,000 is more then any tag has ever sold for from Utah, this includes statewide elk or sheep.

My point is there is only a few people that buy these permits and quit frankly had it gone to auction it would not of brought that much. The elk tag brought $66,000 and the sheep tags brought less then that.

This tag was not awarded to a group so someone could get a good deal, it was given to raise the most money, and that is what it did. If that is a crime then I am guilty.

I don't know who you are hiding behind this fourm but I do know this, I am upfront and honest in my dealings and I always will be. If you or anyone else has issues I would be glad to address them here or on the phone or in person.

Thanks again

Tony Abbott
801-885-1274

 

[Founder]

Tony is good guy and I believe he does care very much about Utah Wildlife. Although seeing the tags sold at auction is much more exciting and gives everyone a fair shot, I agree that raising BIG money for the tags IS the idea and he did it.

There are many who really have a problem with the whole process, and that's fine. If you find a better way, make it happen. But for now, the system is the way it is. And though it may not be perfect in some minds, it does help improve wildlife habitat, etc.

I think whatever role Tony plays with MDF will benefit mule deer in Utah and other states. I feel that MDF does need to get more deeply involved and Tony should definitely be able to help there.

The last MDF meeting I went to, I was told that MDF wanted nothing to do with having a say in tag numbers, etc. set each year by the division. I laid off a bit since then and began donating my time helping to put on SFW banquets.
I firmly believe that hunting pressure is the most important aspect of wildlife management. We can plant all the sagebrush we want, but if we kill all the deer every fall, it will never get better.

MDF is supported by hunters, who for the most part, want to shoot a deer every now and then. We want good quality and plenty of opportunity, and having an opinion in how the state manages the deer herd IS important.

Good luck Tony with whatever it is you are doing with MDF. Give me a call sometime, maybe I can be of help somewhere along the way.

Brian Latturner
MonsterMuleys.com

 

[GS1000]

OK, you've convinced me.

You and me and plenty of others know how much hell was raised behind the scenes on your dealings with the tags.

I'm glad your excited and hope you do a great job!

Good luck.

 

[feduptwo]

Although I haven't had lots of dealing with Tony personally I believe from conversations in the SFW circle that he is a good guy. I was a little disappointed how it all shook out when he left SFW as are most of the other SFW supporters but it sounds like Tony, and leaders of SFW have made ammends and everything is good again.
Good things could come from Tony being the head of MDF. First MDF will spend a little money outside reno, and californa. second Tony knows the value of playing the political game from his experience with SFW.
Getting the mule deer fixed in Utah, Wyoming, and across the west is going to be about working with our elected officals and G&F departments on a large scale effort.
As far as MDF goes as long as they continue to stick their head in the sand, and say its all about the habitat I will continue to have nothing to do with them. ALthough habitat plays a key role its not the only thing that has contributed to the decline of mule deer.
When MDF works with other conservation groups like FNAWS, and SFW and helps finds solutions like winter range encroachment(both devolpment and Horn hunters) and predator control, (just to name a few) I will rejoin, and attend banquets again. Until then good luck Tony,

P.S. if I had a dollar for everyone that has whined about "rich-people tags" and conservation permits I would have been able to purchase the Mule deer govenor tag for Utah this year. Give it a rest already. That money is going for the restoration of and protection of huntable populations of wildlife. I look at the elk, sheep, and turkeys in Utah and think about how it was when I was growing up in Utah I know the money is being spent wisely. If Tony can take the MD Gov tag and fetch top dollar for it more power to him. I just hope that now that he has the power he'll assure that a majority MDF's portion of it stays in Utah where it was raised and he doesn't make me out to be a liar,
Good luck
Eric,

 

[bobcatbess]

fishon

YOUR E-MAIL ADDRESS AIN'T WORTH A DAMN!!!(AT LEAST THE ONE WITH SFW ON IT!!!)

SO I SENT YOU A PM!!!

LET ME KNOW!!!

THE ONLY bobcat!!!

 

[fishon]

My e-mail is

[email protected]

 

[B_F_E]

Ditto to Fed-ups comment about the perpetual whine,
Best of luck to MDF & Tony, go get things done, glad the hatchet has been buried good time move on, I'm exited for the future.

 

[searcher]

I just renewed by MDF membership. Hope the MDF can make a difference in Wyoming

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