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SFW Reports $6M+ Conservation Successes of 10th Anniversary Expo
Wildlife Conservation Showcased at Western Hunting & Conservation Expo
Sportsmen for Fish & Wildlife released information on the successes of the 2016 Western Hunting and Conservation Expo (WHCE) event, which exceed previous records for attendance and donations raised for Utah wildlife conservation topping 40,000 attendees and $6 million in wildlife conservation donations.
The success of the WHCE makes it the largest non-profit fundraiser in the state. Sportsmen for Fish & Wildlife (SFW) and the Mule Deer Foundation (MDF) partnered in presenting the 10th Annual WHCE event held last month, a gathering that is also becoming one of the most important annual events for the protection and enhancement Utah’s diverse wildlife and habitats.
One of the primary attractions to the WHCE is 200 special Utah hunting permits available to the public for a $5 application fee each. The $5 drawing alone raised more than $1 million for Utah conservation this year. One dollar and fifty-cents of each $5 application fee is retained for the Utah Division of Wildlife and its wildlife conservation programs, and $3.50 evenly split between SFW and MDF, all of which is used to bolster wildlife conservation throughout the state of Utah benefiting multiple species. This commitment to utilize 100% of the application fee revenue to support Utah Conservation Initiatives included in the contract that SFW recently signed with the State to distribute expo permits from 2017 to 2021. We will annually disclose how these funds are utilized to benefit Utah wildlife.
Through evening auctions of Utah conservation tags, an additional $2.5 million was raised to support the Utah wildlife conservation efforts of SFW, MDF and the State of Utah. In the Friday night auction, the Antelope Island mule deer tag sold for a record-breaking $410,000.
“We applaud Utah lawmakers and our state wildlife agency for their vision in making these conservation permits and the two hundred permits available to our expo,” said SFW President Jon Larson. “Without that support, this level of contribution from the hunting public simply would not be available to Utah’s wildlife conservation programs.”
SFW and MDF use their portion of the $5 application revenue to fund a wide variety of meaningful wildlife conservation projects in Utah. For example, SFW has invested nearly $300,000 of the application revenues in the past few years on youth outreach and pheasant augmentation programs. The group has also funded over $280,000 of a groundbreaking, multi-year study in partnership with Brigham Young University involving the capture, transplant and radio collaring of Utah mule deer along southern Utah’s Parowan Front. An ongoing $125,000 research study to determine causes and solutions to Utah’s dip in moose populations has also been funded using SFW’s portion of the $5 application revenues, as has a two-year water protection and storage program that is enabling wintering deer to survive on the trophy east Paunsaugunt unit of Southern Utah. Additionally, SFW has funded over 30 ongoing annual habitat improvement projects that enhance critical habitat benefiting mule deer, elk, bighorn sheep and other species in Utah. One of the most high-profile of all Utah wildlife conservation projects partially funded through the application revenues is the much needed money and volunteer labor in capturing, radio-collaring and transporting mule deer captured in Bountiful and the Parowan Front and releasing them at various locations in the Uintah Basin, northern and southern Utah. SFW accepts important responsibilities in these projects and believes in transparency with its $5 application expenditures. Details of these and other projects as well as SFW’s 990 tax audit reports are available online at www.sfw.net.
Both SFW and MDF use portions of the $5 application fee revenue in a collaborative and leveraged approach to implement real solutions to conservation challenges in the state of Utah. These funds are important to wildlife conservation efforts in the state of Utah enabling Utah’s unique conservation model to function effectively. The importance of this leveraged approach is measurable in the significant support the WHCE partners have provided to the State of Utah since the 200 Expo tags were first offered in 2007.
The WHCE partners have raised more money for conservation in Utah than any other hunting conservation groups combined. The WHCE partners account for over 86% of all of the direct conservation funding raised by the top five groups participating in Utah’s Conservation Permit Program. Since 2007 the partners have raised over $22 million in direct funding to the state of Utah, which represents the bulk of private funding for conservation programs in the state and nearly 10 times that of the next closest competitor.
“Money raised by the WHCE partners through the $5 application revenue is often leveraged or matched as high as 10-1 in current state programs,” Larson added. “This approach has led to millions of dollars in on-the-ground habitat improvement projects since the expo began yielding critical benefits to the health and survival of Utah wildlife.”
Significant projects and programs funded by SFW and MDF’s portions of the $5 application revenues include but are not limited to the following:
1. The Utah Mule Deer Recovery Act
2. Transplanting and translocation of deer, moose, elk, bighorn, bison, turkeys, antelope, mountain goats, fish, and other wildlife species
3. Advancing funding for programs to improve quality wildlife management programs in the state
4. Highway underpasses for migrating deer, elk and wild sheep
5. Purchasing horse trailers and equipment for transplants and habitat projects.
A contract for the state’s 200 expo tags was recently awarded to SFW for use over the next five years in its annual WHCE events. As the WHCE continues to expand, SFW and MDF foresee expanded and even more significant results for wildlife conservation in Utah through the $5 application fee revenues. The conservation groups already work closely with their more than 31 chapters throughout the state in prioritizing and planning conservation projects and how monies will be invested on regional and local levels. Beginning in 2016-2017, the groups are initiating an even more intensely collaborative planning program with five or six major categories of conservation project categories that will enable a greater level of partnering between conservation organizations and state and federal wildlife agencies that will benefit Utah wildlife for the next generation. Reporting targeted expenditures to sportsmen and tracking results will also become more vigorous.
The WHCE is perhaps the most unique gathering of hunters from all socio-economic and diverse backgrounds in North America. It is also the fastest growing expo event for western hunters and represents the single greatest opportunity to raise funds for the benefit of Utah’s diverse wildlife and conservation programs.
Next year’s Western Hunting and Conservation Expo will be held again at the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City February 16–19, 2017.
Watch a video clip of Utah Governor Herbert’s address to 1,500 sportsmen about the Hunting Expo here.
Utah Governor Herbert Praises Western Hunting & Conservation Expo
Watch a video clip of Utah Governor Herbert’s address about the Expo here.
A Message from the President
Re: Utah’s Award of 200 Expo Tags to SFW
To Our Valued Members,
As you might be aware, there has recently been much said about SFW on public forums and social media outlets since we were named the successful bidder of Utah’s 200 Tag Expo contract. Unfortunately much of what is being said is being grossly misinterpreted and twisted. As a result I thought it would be beneficial to set the record straight.
It is my hope that you will form your own opinion, based on our conservation record and facts, rather than be wrongly influenced by the falsehoods and negativity you might be hearing.
To grow big bucks, bulls, rams and billies in your backyard requires much more than sprinkling just a few dollars into a handful of projects. Books upon books could be written about what SFW has accomplished in this state. Nearly 150 pages of it were recently compiled in SFW’s winning bid proposal for Utah’s 200 Tag Expo contract. I strongly encourage everyone to please read why the state of Utah selected SFW’s and MDF’s proposal.
I’ve been in my position for a relatively short time, just over one year now. During that time I have been incredibly impressed with the quality of individuals that make up SFW’s membership. I have also been equally impressed with our small but strong leadership and administrative team and all we are able to accomplish to push our mission forward with such limited resources. That being said, I’d like to answer some questions that some may ask regarding SFW funds.
- The funds generated from both the 200 Expo tags as well as the conservation permits auctioned at SFW fundraising banquets across the state are absolutely and without question used for conservation purposes here in Utah.
- SFW owns two hunting concessions in the Northwest Territories and British Columbia, Arctic Red River Outfitters and Full Curl Stone, respectively. Both concessions were 100% acquired through targeted donations by a very generous and longtime SFW supporter. The purpose in these areas being donated to SFW was to generate annual profits to support Utah’s conservation mission and to provide numerous world-class hunts in both auctions and drawings at the Hunt Expo. Additionally, we have annually provided a few of these hunts to some very deserving veterans. Furthermore, these sheep units are run independently of SFW’s Utah conservation operations.
- Regarding conservation dollars: During the 2015 season SFW raised $1,508,650 through auctioning Utah conservation permits. Of those funds $452,595 (30%) was given to the state of Utah (DWR) in September 2015, which follows Administrative Rule R657-4. Also according to the rule, 60% of that total is held in a federally insured bank account for a period of two years and is earmarked for projects that encompass the Watershed Restoration Initiative (WRI). WRI project include transplants of numerous species, population surveys, disease studies, deer transplant, predation and survival studies, and more. Any remaining funds left over at the end of the two-year period are surrendered to the Utah DWR to be used for future projects.
By rule, SFW and the other conservation organizations (seven in total) are allowed to retain 10% of the total amount raised, which in SFW’s case in 2015 was $150,865; and is used for administrative expenses. However, SFW uses these funds for conservation as well. SFW is a business and operates as a business. We currently employ a small staff of five, and there are expenses that must be covered. What many do not know is that for 15 years SFW operated from the basements, trucks and garages of a handful of founding members in order to preserve funds for our conservation mission. Today our team of five operates out of a very modest office/warehouse in North Salt Lake.
We make it a point to attend every RAC and Utah Wildlife Board meeting, numerous federal and state land management planning meetings, numerous species unit management planning meetings, and many other activities required to grow herd numbers and quality big game in Utah. These meetings are not conveniently located but rather, they are regionally spread across the state. This requires travel and time on the road to ensure SFW remains relevant and its members have an active voice as it relates to the best interest of our wildlife here in Utah.
I personally attended several relocation projects in 2015 getting my hands dirty, including sage brush plantings to help restore badly needed mule deer winter range. Just a few weeks ago I spent seven hours in a vehicle driving a load of recently captured urban mule deer from Bountiful to be released in the Uintah Basin. Not only did SFW supply the very funding for this project, we also partnered with Brigham Young University and covered all expenses related to ensuring that the science behind the relocation was sound. The list of projects goes on and on and includes projects for multiple species in our state.
The Expo funds help pave the way for everything outlined above. It is my hope that everyone will read SFW’s and MDF’s proposal and see for yourself why the state chose to go with proven contributors to Utah’s wildlife rather than an out-of-state organization.
It saddens me that there are individuals who do not see the great benefit that our organization brings to Utah, its wildlife and wild places but rather try to tear us down. It is unfortunate that so much negative energy is spent in this regard rather than being a part of something so worthy. It is my hope that we all will continue to rally for all conservation efforts in our amazing state regardless of what organization is doing the work. There are enough anti groups out there trying to tear all of us down. I am a firm believer there is strength in numbers and with the passion of our sportsmen in this state we can accomplish great things for Utah’s wildlife.
Sincerely,
Jon Larson
SFW President and CEO
SFW Issues Statement on 200 Expo Tags Award
The Western Hunting and Conservation Expo partners – Sportsmen for Fish & Wildlife, Mule Deer Foundation and the Utah Foundation for North American Wild Sheep – would like to express their sincere appreciation to the State of Utah for its consideration in awarding us as the recipient of the 200 Expo Permit contract.
The official conclusion of the review committee stated, “Overall, the evaluation committee determined that the proposal submitted by Sportsmen for Fish and Wildlife (SFW) provides the best value to the State.”
President and CEO of the Mule Deer Foundation Miles Moretti said, “We are grateful for the collaborative partnership we share with the state and the UDWR in wildlife conservation.”
The Expo partners feel it is important to release the successful proposal submitted to the state in this effort. The proposal is now available online for public review via the link below. Readers will notice this online version reflects several redacted portions to protect proprietary and sensitive information. This is in accordance with State of Utah Purchasing guidelines.
It is important to note the significant support the Expo partners have provided to the State of Utah since the 200 Expo Tags were first offered in 2007. The partners have raised more money for conservation in Utah than any other hunting conservation groups combined. The Expo Partners account for over 86% of all of the direct conservation funding raised by the top five groups participating in Utah’s Conservation Permit Program.
Since 2007 the partners have raised over $23 million in direct funding to the state of Utah, which represents the bulk of private funding for conservation programs in the state.
The Expo partners’ proposal was very simple, according to SFW President and CEO Jon Larson. “We elect to use the five dollar application fee revenue generated through the two hundred tags as a collaborative, yet leveraged approach to implement real solutions to conservation challenges in the state of Utah. These funds allow us to support projects, programs and policies”.
In some programs, private dollars provided by the Expo Partners are leveraged as high as 10-1 or even 20-1 in current state programs. For a specific list of projects, programs and policy initiatives please view page 92 of the proposal.
As the 10th Annual Western Hunting & Conservation Exposition draws near, the Expo Partners extend a heart-felt “Thank You” to their respective loyal membership. That same thank you is expressed to the many loyal vendors, exhibitors and attendees who make this unique event the success it has become for wildlife and conservation.
We look forward to seeing you all at the 2016 Western Hunting and Conservation Expo February 11-14. We encourage everyone to apply for the 200 Expo Permits here.
Thank you,
SFW / The Expo Partners
Read the Wildlife Expo Award Justification Statement issued by the State of Utah following the announcement.
State of Utah Awards 200 Expo Tags to SFW through 2021
Sportsmen for Fish & Wildlife and the Western Hunting & Conservation Expo partners (MDF and UFNAWS) have been awarded the 200 Utah Big Game Tags for five more years. The Utah Wildlife Board today voted unanimously to accept a review panel’s recommendation and award the 200 Expo Tags contract to SFW.
A four-member panel appointed by the Utah State Purchasing Department reviewed two formal proposals; one submitted by SFW and the other by RMEF. The final scores, based on 500 possible points and six specific criteria, were SFW 435 vs. RMEF’s 387.5.
In the judgement of the four panels members, it was clear that Proposal A (SFW) was superior to Proposal B (RMEF). There was “No doubt in that judgement,” according to Mike Canning, Assistant Director of the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources. “This process is not a popularity contest; it cannot be a popularity contest. The evaluations were done based on the criteria that were published, and those proposals that met those criteria fully, addressed all aspects of those criteria and justified their statements received a higher score that a proposal that did not justify all statements fully.”
The 6 Points of Scoring Criteria included:
– Business Plan, Expo Operations (20%)
– Economic Considerations (10%)
– Promoting of Hunting, Fishing & Trapping in Utah (10%)
– Ability to organize and conduct a secure and fair permit drawing (20%)
– Commitment to use revenue generated for wildlife conservation in Utah (30%)
– Historical contribution and previous performance of organization in Utah (10%)
What does this mean for wildlife conservation in Utah? According to Jon Larson, SFW President and CEO, “It means that nearly $3.5 million annually will continue to flow from the Expo into Utah’s wildlife conservation programs. It means another million acres of critical wildlife habitat can be restored and improved. And it means that Utah’s wildlife and wild places will continue receiving the proper attention these important resources deserve in a state that values so deeply the traditions of wildlife, hunting and outdoor pursuits.”
SFW’s executive team, staff and members are very gratified that the state of Utah has seen fit to continue participating in the Western Hunting and Conservation Expo by awarding SFW the 200 Tags.
We encourage everyone to apply for the 200 Expo Permits here.
Watch the Wildlife Board Meeting here.
Hunters Touting “Best Deer Hunt in 20 Years” for Utah
Many SFW members in Utah have been reporting the best deer hunt of your lives, for them, their kids and their families on our general season, public land units.
SFW Chapter Leader Brayden Richmond agrees and said about this year’s hunt, “Most people in our town are saying it is almost as good as the good old days, and the future looks even better. There are many nice big mature bucks to choose from.”
SFW Board Chairman Dave Woodhouse also agrees. “We at SFW have worked for twenty years, the 1.1 million acres of habitat restoration, fencing highways, reducing lions, and now the coyote control the last few years have pushed our herds back on top,” he said. “It was a thrill to have my 12-year-old son looking at lots of bucks all season, then choosing among them. Then there were three nice four-points the last day of the season. He was there with his grandfather, who never thought this day would come. The family deer hunt, we all looked forward to like kids at Christmas, is back! Thanks to SFW members and the DWR for making this happen!”
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Stories and photos of successful 2015 hunts continue to come in. If you’ve got a photo or a story you’d like to tell, send them to [email protected].
High Elevation Habitat Restoration
The state of Utah with SFW’s help has restored more than 1 million acres of pinion and juniper habitat, primarily critical winter range areas that deer and elk rely on for survival. Deer herds in particular are responding well.
At the higher elevation, those above 8,500 feet, conifer trees, like pinion juniper, have reduced the best deer and elk habitat stands. Deer and elk rely on these stands to fatten up during the summer months prior to migrating to lower wintering elevations. This reduction in high elevation habitat has two negative impacts: 1) Deer go into the winter with much lower percentages of body fat, 2) Some in the Forest Service, and a study at Utah State co-opted by anti-hunters, are recommending dramatic reductions in elk populations in order to allow regeneration, after conifer removal.
Avid SFW member Mike Siaperas and the DWR have treated approximately 400 acres by removing dense conifer stands. The resulting regeneration is nothing short of amazing. These on-the-ground projects are proving that habitat can be successfully restored with proper removal of former stands of old, dense conifer stands. Even in the presence of high concentrations of elk and deer, these projects are proving successful. SFW and the DWR are working on ground breaking, on-the-ground regeneration—ground breaking in terms of the financial investment and in the application.
Large-scale regeneration projects on our great public lands over the next 10 years will allow for increased elk and deer populations across Utah. But it will take money and hard work to overcome the many oppositions, mostly created by anti-wildlife interests, to restore populations that will protect our elk and deer herds. SFW was the catalyst that sparked Utah’s winter range habitat restoration effort some 10 years ago. SFW is once again leading the effort to enhance a million acres of high elevation habitat. These projects will allow for abundant herds for generations to come.
SFW Names Melissa Kemp Administrative Assistant
Sportsmen for Fish & Wildlife (SFW) has hired Melissa Kemp as Administrative Assistant in its corporate headquarters. She will immediately begin overseeing all office administration functions for our non-profit wildlife conservation organization located at 215 North Redwood Road #1 in North Salt Lake, Utah. Most recently office manager at SN Custom Railing in Ogden, Melissa brings 10 years’ of experience to SFW. She is also a skilled bookkeeper and project coordinator.
“Melissa comes to us with the perfect skill set that will compliment SFW’s growing needs,” said Jon Larson, SFW CEO. “Our chapters and members will soon become very familiar with Melissa. She will be the first line of contact at the office, and as we move into our busy habitat projects and planning seasons.”
When she’s not in the office, Melissa can often be found hunting elk with her father and brother near her Kemmerer, WY, home or touring the West with her family.
Melissa Kemp is SFW’s new Administrative Assistant. She can be reached at [email protected].
SFW Board Member Byron Bateman Appointed by Governor Gary Herbert to Utah Wildlife Board
Sportsmen for Fish & Wildlife (SFW) announces the resignation of Byron Bateman from the SFW Executive Board. Mr. Bateman has accepted a recent appointment by Utah Governor Gary Herbert to serve on the Utah Wildlife Board.
Mr. Bateman immediately tenured his SFW resignation from the SFW board upon learning of his appointment by the governor. He has served SFW for nearly 20 years as its former President and CEO, Chief Financial Officer, and most recently as a member of the SFW Executive Board. He will officially take his seat on the Utah Wildlife Board at the August 2015 board meeting.
“I am very gratified by this appointment by the governor,” Mr. Bateman said. “There are few things in this world more important to me than Utah’s wildlife. I am committed to representing the people of Utah, and I look forward to serving in this capacity for the next several years.”
The Utah Wildlife Board consists of seven citizens from different parts of the state. In August, Wildlife Board members Jake Albrecht and Bill Fenimore will leave the board after six years of service. Mr. Bateman lives in Weber County and replaces Mr. Fenimore in the Northern Utah region. The board meets regularly to review and modify the wildlife administrative rules in order to meet the changing needs of Utah’s wildlife. Before board members make changes to wildlife rules, they listen to recommendations from Utah Division of Wildlife biologists. They also receive input from the public and various interest groups via the regional advisory council (RAC) process.
“I can’t think of anyone more passionate or more qualified to influence Utah’s wildlife management policies than Byron is,” said SFW Founder and Board Member Don Peay. “It is reassuring to know his expertise will lead to recommendations the board makes to the Utah Division of Wildlife and the Utah Legislature. Our wildlife is in great hands.”
Commenting on the developments, Mr. Bateman added, “I’ve served on SFW’s executive team and with its state and chapter leaders for nearly two decades. This is a wonderful, growing organization that knows how to get tough things done. I hate to give that up. But the Wildlife Board position opens a big door and a new phase in my life. And I am excited to participate and give this my all.”
Mr. Bateman, along with the six other board members, will attend up to seven wildlife board meetings each year. The meetings are typically held in Salt Lake City at the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources offices on North Temple. Representatives from SFW attend all Utah Wildlife Board meetings and RAC meetings as they work to achieve the SFW mission.
UPDATE – Utah Moose Study
Here are some recent updates from the Utah Moose Study, Provided by Joel Ruprecht, USU Graduate Student. This is an important project funded and supported by SFW members.
We’ve been conducting calf searches the last two weeks to see how many radio-collared cow moose produced calves this year. Of the three years we’ve been collecting this information, this has been the best year for calving rates. In the Wasatch Unit as a whole, more than 60% of the cows we surveyed had a calf with them, although calving rates were much higher in the western portion of the unit. In the North Slope of the Uintas, more than 70% of cows had calves. This is great news for the population, although calving rates only tell part of the story. We will follow up throughout the next year to see how many calves survive their first year. Moose calf survival tends to be lower and more variable than adult survival, so until the calves mature to breeding age, they are not overly important to the population.
Interestingly, we did not document any twin calves this year. However, several of our study moose have produced calves three years in a row, although we are finding it is more typical that they calve only every other year. With a little more data we hope to be able to determine what factors influence calving rates. The peak calving period for moose in Utah is late May, but we’ve documented births as early as May 17th until as late as June 10th.
One of our study moose died in the North Slope of the Uintas last month. It appeared to be a very old cow, but the carcass was mostly consumed by scavengers at the time of inspection so the cause of death is unknown.
Finally, an article on our project and this year’s calf searches was published recently in the Daily Herald. Follow this link to take a look.
Thank you.
— Joel Ruprecht
