Nominees sought for 19th annual Minnesota Deer Hunter Ethics Award

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MN DNR), Minnesota Deer Hunters Association (MDHA) and Turn In Poachers (TIP) are reminding hunters to share stories of exemplary hunting behavior by nominating hunters for the 19th Annual Minnesota Deer Hunter Ethics Award for the 2011 Deer Hunting Season.

The award will honor a deer hunter who has exhibited exemplary conduct and can serve as a positive example to all hunters. Awards for youth and adult divisions will be presented to the selected recipients at an upcoming MDHA event held in their vicinity.

"MDHA is pleased to again co-sponsor this award, but it is too bad we need this award at all" said MDHA Executive Director Mark Johnson. "With this award we highlight ethical behavior of deer hunters, but if we had our wish all hunters would be ethical. Since that is not the case, we hope this award encourages all hunters to care more about our hunting heritage, care about fairness and care about the image we as hunters portray."

“Around deer camp we occasionally talk about the slob hunter who has left us with a bad impression and yet the unethical deer hunter is very much a minority. So honoring a youth and adult who exemplifies the positives aspects of hunting sets a great example of positive reinforcement we all need to live by as stewards of the outdoors”, said Mike Kurre MN DNR Mentoring Program Coordinator .

Douglas Bermel, TIP Board president, added that it recognizes hunters who go the extra mile. "This award isn’t just about obeying the laws; it is about going above and beyond and being honored for it. TIP is proud to be a part of the Deer Hunter Ethics Awards program."

Anyone may nominate a hunter by writing a letter or e-mail explaining 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 2011 Minnesota deer hunting seasons (archery, firearm or muzzleloader). Submissions must be made by January 20, 2012.

Nominations will be accepted for the Minnesota Deer Hunter's Ethics Award until Friday, January 20. Nomination letters should be sent to Ethical Hunter Award, MDHA, 460 Peterson Road, Grand Rapids, MN 55744-8413, or faxed to 218-327-1349, or e-mailed to kimhanson@mndeerhunters.com

More information is available on MDHA's Web site at www.mndeerhunters.com.

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