Sammamish, WA chapter of the Mule Deer Foundation(Location set!)

[jackelope]

I agree that's probably the best way to do it. I was going to do a poll on here but realized maybe not everyone was on here.

[Mahoney]

Thanks for posting the "Coug" picture BoomWhop! Good talking to you, Carl and I think Buckjunkie as we were all at the "Coug" table. Looking forward to the next meeting.

[jkthomps]

Maybe we should try and plan a quick meeting/event to organize a little and vote on a formal name. Once this chapter is formally up and running we can put our hard work to use and make a difference. I have been researching some other chapters and their events and I think we could easily become the state leading chapter. the competitive side in me haha.

[jackelope]

Sounds like a plan. Somewhere where we can actually hear each other would probably be better this time.
 

[Buckjunkie]

Lope,

Do you know if the consensus is to focus on blacktail or mule deer projects?

[jkthomps]

I would assume blacktail given our location... but we can decide as a chapter. From my understanding, we have full say on where funds are distributed, so as a chapter we can decide what is best.

[M_ray]

As far as other locations, I called the Roundtable pizza in Issaquah and they have a separate meeting room that can be reserved a few days in advance.

The Good - They don't charge a fee, it is quiet cause it is a separate room and there isnt a trivia night 
The Bad - They will not except a long term reservation say like every 3rd Wednesday of month for the year, You must call each time
The Ugly - Well its pizza so I refer to it as death disc but its soooo tasty! but bad for you 

I called Zeke's up on the Issaquah highlands and they say they have room for groups however they don't have a separate room, but better pizza  ...  just stay away from Wednesdays  cause that is trivia night 
If anyone has any other ideas by all means look into it, I only suggested a pizza joint cause typically they have space, its quiet and there isnt a fee.

[M_ray]

I would assume blacktail given our location... but we can decide as a chapter. From my understanding, we have full say on where funds are distributed, so as a chapter we can decide what is best.

The more I think about this the more I am confused  if guys want to support Blacktail then why not join a Blacktail chapter or Blacktail foundation? I want to work on supporting Mule deer and well after all it is "The Mule Deer Foundation" so if projects and names go to supporting BT then I may have a decision to make. 

[scottcrb]

The MDF is the main support organization for both black tail and mule deer. Makes sense to support blackies on this side. There are mdf chapters in eastern wa that mainly focus on mulies.  Or split and support both. I live on the west side but mainly hunt mulies. I'm already hoping with the Ellensburg chapter but this is closer and I can help both chapters.

[M_ray]

The MDF is the main support organization for both black tail and mule deer. Makes sense to support blackies on this side. There are mdf chapters in eastern wa that mainly focus on mulies.  Or split and support both. I live on the west side but mainly hunt mulies. I'm already hoping with the Ellensburg chapter but this is closer and I can help both chapters.

Thanks Scott,
Ok well then it's my vote to focus on Mule deer ... if guys want to support BT it sounds like there are already plenty of other chapters doing that and they can join there. I would like to have a chapter on the Westside for a change that made the main focus on Mule deer.  I know some other people that are waiting to see what direction this chapter goes before they commit to a meeting and or join but the thing that has kept them from joining in the past is the focus on BT, and they also want to support MD. 

[Buckjunkie]

I am a mule deer fanatic, so I am interested in Mule deer projects. There is a blacktail chapter forming on South Hill that is closer to where I live. If the consensus is blacktail, I will likely put my time in elsewhere.

[jackelope]

The focus of the chapter is up to the chapter. It can be all mule deer or it can be all blacktail. It can also be 50/50, 20/80, 80/20, blacktail/mule deer. it can be whatever we want it to be. What makes the most sense to me is to see what species needs the most help in the state and focus our efforts there. Personally I'd be most interested in mule deer projects as well, but I don't think that it is something that needs to be set in stone at this point. If a mule deer project comes up and we want to participate, we participate. If a blacktail project comes up and we want to participate in that...we can. As far as volunteer time goes, I think bouncing back and forth is easy. We may need to be a little more specific in terms of money dispersal ahead of time I guess. I think a true answer on this topic best comes from Dan McKinley at this point until we all figure out what the heck we're doing.

[M_ray]

The focus of the chapter is up to the chapter. It can be all mule deer or it can be all blacktail. It can also be 50/50, 20/80, 80/20, blacktail/mule deer. it can be whatever we want it to be. What makes the most sense to me is to see what species needs the most help in the state and focus our efforts there. Personally I'd be most interested in mule deer projects as well, but I don't think that it is something that needs to be set in stone at this point. If a mule deer project comes up and we want to participate, we participate. If a blacktail project comes up and we want to participate in that...we can. As far as volunteer time goes, I think bouncing back and forth is easy. We may need to be a little more specific in terms of money dispersal ahead of time I guess. I think a true answer on this topic best comes from Dan McKinley at this point until we all figure out what the heck we're doing.

I agree and I get what you are saying,  The chapter may loose a few now though and the potential of future recruitment if a direction is never decided until a project comes up 8 months from now???  and then those wanting to support MD have to hope that they are not voted down by those wanting to support BT. That's why I went to the meeting and why I wanted to hear for myself, I still signed up for a 3 year membership but I am one that will likely bow out if things swing the direction of BT.   

[Buckjunkie]

I wanted to have more discussion at the meeting, but it was pretty loud. If Dan can come to the next meeting I will want to ask if there is any organization with other chapters to determine priority or do most chapters just do their own thing.

I'm looking forward to the next meeting and getting a better understanding of the direction of our group.

Thanks to all who took time away to support wildlife.

[jackelope]

The focus of the chapter is up to the chapter. It can be all mule deer or it can be all blacktail. It can also be 50/50, 20/80, 80/20, blacktail/mule deer. it can be whatever we want it to be. What makes the most sense to me is to see what species needs the most help in the state and focus our efforts there. Personally I'd be most interested in mule deer projects as well, but I don't think that it is something that needs to be set in stone at this point. If a mule deer project comes up and we want to participate, we participate. If a blacktail project comes up and we want to participate in that...we can. As far as volunteer time goes, I think bouncing back and forth is easy. We may need to be a little more specific in terms of money dispersal ahead of time I guess. I think a true answer on this topic best comes from Dan McKinley at this point until we all figure out what the heck we're doing.

I agree and I get what you are saying,  The chapter may loose a few now though and the potential of future recruitment if a direction is never decided until a project comes up 8 months from now???  and then those wanting to support MD have to hope that they are not voted down by those wanting to support BT. That's why I went to the meeting and why I wanted to hear for myself, I still signed up for a 3 year membership but I am one that will likely bow out if things swing the direction of BT.   

It will all get discussed and figured out in time. Can't expect much after 1 meeting.