Arizona Mule Deer Org

Not to be politically correct, I am amazed at how many so called Sportsmen commenting here are so ill informed and uninformed. It’s comments like are posted here, that some Permittees and landowners are reluctant to allow access to Sportsmen. I would suggest you turn off the TV / computer and actually get out on a conservation project. You’ll see ranchers, AZGFD, wildlife conservation groups and the USFS, all working together for Arizona’s wildlife. You’ll see folks who are actually making difference for our drought stricken wildlife. I find it ironic that some comments here badmouthing AZGFD, USFS, Ranchers, etc. and then expect to have unabated access. Arizona Mule Deer has only two requirements for any allotment we supply materials and volunteer labor on, they must leave all waters on year round for wildlife and access for Sportsmen. That simple. Many of these comments are exactly the opposite of what we are trying to accomplish. I am the current Vice Chairman on the AZGFD - Landowner, Lessee, Sportsmans Relationship Committee. Our committee works with both Sportsmen and Ranchers to encourage access and help solve vandalism problems that many ranches face. Many of these ranches have had their water storage tanks shot, fences cut, pipelines cut, solar panels stolen, livestock shot, UTV damage, drinkers vandalized, etc., yet they still allow Sportsmen access. Amazing huh. Most know how many of the ranches in Yavapai and Coconino counties have shut off access to Sportsmen or charge a hefty fee to hunt there. Our committee is working hard to resolve these problems and hopefully stop any more ranches from closing down access. I hear comments here saying “my hunting area is not like it used to be or I used to see way more deer back in the day”. Fact is that bringing Mule Deer back to their historical numbers is going to take a concerted effort by Sportsmen, Ranchers, Private Businesses and Governmental Agencies. It’s not going to happen without your help, get involved with habitat improvement projects, help with project fundraising, join a Sportsmans advisory committee or attend meetings with various wildlife groups. It’s easy to moan and groan about the issues affecting Sportsmen and our precious wildlife but if you “don’t have a dog in the fight”, your comments lose credibility. I’d better leave it at that, our Board of Directors is probably going to have me hung for my response here. Jim Lawrence - AMDO

These ranchers you are so quick to condemn are the same folks hauling water for wildlife all summer to pastures where no cattle are in. These are the same folks who are out maintaining waters, modifying fences to be wildlife friendly and making range improvements. What exactly do you do for Arizona’s wildlife? The Date Creek Ranch project you mentioned saw AMDO volunteers installing 11 miles of water distribution lines, added 50,000 gallons of storage and added 9 new drinkers. I don’t remember you being there to help but correct me if I am wrong. We try to put cameras on as many of the waters we develop and have lots of photos from the Date Creek I’d be happy to share with you. Contact Stefan & Kimberly Wolff - owners of the Date Creek, they will enlighten you as to the benefits this project has had on wildlife. As you never responded to my invitation, I hope you will consider joining us. I’d like for you to see first hand how Sportsmen and Women are making a difference for Arizona’s struggling wildlife. How AMDO, AZGFD, USFS, Permittees, land owners, private businesses are working together for wildlife conservation. You’ll have to experience it to understand.

Was sorry to read this post Wagges, your way off base concerning AZGFD, USFS and ranching. I’d like to invite you to join AMDO next Saturday, August 3, for a conservation project on the Two Bar Ranch near Roosevelt. You’ll not only be working along side of AMDO volunteers but with off duty AZGFD and USFS employees as well. These folks volunteer their time and efforts for the sake of Arizona’s wildlife Are these agencies perfect? Of course not. Can they improve? Surely. If Sportsmen and Women want to have a say about how our public lands and wildlife are managed respectfully, we need to fully support these agencies. “Conservation is a Team Effort”. With your comments in respect to Cattle, rotational grazing has been instituted for many years on public lands. AMDO actively pursues partnerships with the ranching community, they are as concerned about habitat and wildlife as any of us. Ranchers are out daily checking waters and monitoring habitat, they are our “Eyes and Ears” when it comes to wildlife conservation on public lands. If not for ranchers we certainly wouldn’t have the wildlife numbers we currently enjoy. I do hope you will consider joining us next Saturday, you’ll have a front row seat to see how ranchers, wildlife groups and government agencies work together for wildlife. Jim Lawrence - AMDO jim@azmuledeer.org

Mr Dillenburg, I received an email from one of our Board of Directors, asking that I read a forum on Coueswhitetail.com. After reading your initial statements about the Bar X Ranch, the USFS and your I’ll informed statement about water tanks, I knew exactly who had written this blog. Your group of environmentalists and “anti’s” are familiar to many Sportsmans organizations, the Gila County ranching community and the USFS, your reputation precedes you. A little about myself and the organization I represent, Arizona Mule Deer Organization (AMDO). My name is Jim Lawrence, president of AMDO. I have been in the wildlife conservation arena for over 15 years, served on the Board of Directors with National groups - Mule Deer Foundation and Arizona Wildlife Federation and have received several State / National awards for my conservation work. I sit on several committees with AZGFD, including the Habitat Partnership Committee (HPC) and the Landowner-Leasee-Sportsman Relationship Committee. I am also working on a Master Stewardship Agreement with USFS on all 6 forests in Arizona. AMDO is a 501 (c) 3 non profit conservation organization, who’s mission is to improve and enhance habitat for our struggling Mule Deer. You can find out more by visiting www.azmuledeer.org. AMDO is very familiar with the Bar X Ranch, I believe my organization can speak with confidence about the ranch, the owners and their commitment to wildlife and habitat conservation. Your comments about the Bar X Ranch couldn’t be any further from the truth. AMDO has worked extensively with Mike and Diana Hemovich and the Bar X Ranch over the past 6 years, developing waters for wildlife, rebuilding catchments, adding solar to all the Bar X Wells, adding water storage tanks and pipelines, removing old barbed wire fences that were a hazard to wildlife and even hosting a workshop for Chinese Forestry / Animal Biologists. Since purchasing the ranch 13 years ago, Mike and Diana have poured hundreds of thousands of dollars in to improving habitat and infrastructure for both their livestock and wildlife. As I work with ranch’s all over Arizona on a daily basis, you won’t find a more respected or trusted ranch. Here is a little info on the Bar X you might not know. In 2018, Mike Hemovich received one of AZGFDs highest honors, “Wildlife Steward of the Year” award, he is past president of the Society for Range Management, current President of the Gila County Cattle Growers Association and actively participates with USFS in yearly range monitoring on the ranch. Mike and Diana take a science based approach to managing the ranch, working closely with USFS and other organizations to monitor conditions on the ranch. With respects to USFS and the Tonto National Forest, here again you won’t find a better managed and respected team of professionals than the Tonto. We work with all Arizona forests and can speak with experience. I’m sure my letter here today will not stop your groups continued and unwarranted harassment of both the Bar X and the USFS, but wanted to assure you that we fully support them. Lastly, it’s obvious that you are either ill advised or sadly uninformed about the correlation between ranchers, wildlife and waters. I would love to show you hundreds of photos of Arizona wildlife, watering at ranch built and maintained water sources. Without these waters our wildlife would surely suffer. I’d like to invite you to visit the Bar X with me at your convenience, where you will see how development of these waters has exploded the population of Turkey, Elk, Deer and Bears. Water development is AMDO’s specialty, so we do know a little bit about the subject. Jim Lawrence President Arizona Mule Deer Organization