Deadline approaching for deer hunter ethics award nominees (2005-01-18)

With the Minnesota deer season still fresh in mind, hunters are being asked to share stories of admirable hunting behavior with others in the form of nominations for the 13th Minnesota Deer Hunter Ethics Award. The Minnesota Deer Hunters Association (MDHA) will accept nominations for the award until Feb.1.

The deer hunter ethics award honors a deer hunter who has exhibited conduct during the 2004 season that can serve as an example of admirable hunting practices. The award will be presented at the 2005 MDHA Habitat Banquet Feb. 26, at the Shooting Star Convention Center in Mahnomen.

MDHA Executive Director Mark Johnson said his organization is pleased to again co-sponsor this award along with the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Turn-In-Poachers (TIP).

"MDHA is proud of the ethical standards of our deer hunters," Johnson said. "Past award winners are examples of the type of hunters we all aspire to be."

Wayne Edgerton, the DNR agriculture policy director, said the award honors hunters who do the right thing. "Each year we hear about hunters who have done something special that makes us proud to be hunters," Edgerton said. "This award provides a means to provide public recognition and appreciation for these acts."

Jay Tirpak, president of TIP, agreed, "this award encourages ethical and legal hunting, which is what TIP is all about."

Nomination letters should explain the actions of the nominee and why that person is worthy of this recognition. Both youth and adults are eligible, but nominees must be Minnesota residents. The incidents for which hunters are nominated must have occurred during any of the 2004 Minnesota deer hunting seasons (archery, firearms or muzzleloader).

Letters should be sent to Ethical Hunter Award, MDHA, 460 Peterson Road, Grand Rapids, MN 55744-8413.

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