Black Tail Foundation

JimmyRay

FNG
Joined
Dec 1, 2024
Messages
18
Has anyone else joined up yet, seems like this has been a long time coming. I am always blown away at the lack of attention to this species. I have hunted for a few big games species in a few diff states at this point... I am convinced that there is no harder species to chase than Columbian Black Tail.
 

Hoodie

WKR
Joined
Aug 6, 2020
Messages
1,049
Location
Oregon Cascades
Haven't yet, but will soon. I'm also excited to see them have their own organization. By far my favorite species and like you said, one of the hardest. Certainly a lot of areas near me where habitat improvement projects could be of use.
 

trapperJ

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Dec 24, 2013
Messages
144
Location
All over AK
I joined.

They're doing their best to work with the Feds on habitat improvement on POW. A much needed project. This has been through the MDF but assume it will be passed on to the new BDF
 

FAAFO

WKR
Joined
May 24, 2024
Messages
478
No thanks! Look no further than the lack of success the MDF has had. Can’t wait to see what tags they create “for conservation”

Best of luck to them! Luckily blacktails don’t need an organization to look after them!
 
OP
JimmyRay

JimmyRay

FNG
Joined
Dec 1, 2024
Messages
18
No thanks! Look no further than the lack of success the MDF has had. Can’t wait to see what tags they create “for conservation”

Best of luck to them! Luckily blacktails don’t need an organization to look after them!
Lack of success? From some basic searching it seems that they are quite the force multiplier when it comes to bringing conservation orgs together and raising funds.
 

FAAFO

WKR
Joined
May 24, 2024
Messages
478
Lack of success? From some basic searching it seems that they are quite the force multiplier when it comes to bringing conservation orgs together and raising funds.
Look at all those funds raised compared to our mule deer population. One fact is there are LESS mule deer now than there was when the organization was founded.

The MDF pisses away money compared to other organizations. They even have a big sector break off and start the MFF because of how terrible they were at putting “conservation” dollars back into mule deer.

Hopefully the blacktail deer foundation is a success. Have my doubts but all with due time.
 
Joined
Aug 30, 2021
Messages
33
Hey guys, just a bit of insight on what the BDF is doing in Kodiak. I’m one of the chairmen for the volunteer chapter which started as the MDF Team Blacktail two years ago. The first week of the new year we have quite a bit going on.

We’re working with ADFG on trapping and collaring thirty blacktail with the use of a drone (which BDF purchased for ADFG with funds we’ve raised here locally from past events) to better understand trends and life cycles of the local herd and if/how the herd needs more support.

As far as the BDF goes our concern is over habitat and habitat management. There is absolutely zero desire to increase or decrease tags, or bring in out-of-state hunters.

Thanks for asking about it and brining up the BDF @JimmyRay

I’ll report back after the events of the new year are over.
 
OP
JimmyRay

JimmyRay

FNG
Joined
Dec 1, 2024
Messages
18
Hey guys, just a bit of insight on what the BDF is doing in Kodiak. I’m one of the chairmen for the volunteer chapter which started as the MDF Team Blacktail two years ago. The first week of the new year we have quite a bit going on.

We’re working with ADFG on trapping and collaring thirty blacktail with the use of a drone (which BDF purchased for ADFG with funds we’ve raised here locally from past events) to better understand trends and life cycles of the local herd and if/how the herd needs more support.

As far as the BDF goes our concern is over habitat and habitat management. There is absolutely zero desire to increase or decrease tags, or bring in out-of-state hunters.

Thanks for asking about it and brining up the BDF @JimmyRay

I’ll report back after the events of the new year are over.
What are the plans for CA, OR, and WA? Where most blacktail hunters live? What is the process after becoming a member? You get a mem#? Magazine? Email news letter? There is not enough information on what being a member means. Not even after becoming a member have I gotten a welcome email or anything really???
 
Joined
May 15, 2021
Messages
300
Location
Far northwestern Komifornia
Look at all those funds raised compared to our mule deer population. One fact is there are LESS mule deer now than there was when the organization was founded.

The MDF pisses away money compared to other organizations. They even have a big sector break off and start the MFF because of how terrible they were at putting “conservation” dollars back into mule deer.

Hopefully the blacktail deer foundation is a success. Have my doubts but all with due time.
Saw the same happen to the elk foundation, went from well meaning people to 12 million $$$ headquarters and the head cheese guys pulling down $250-500,000.
 

gbflyer

WKR
Joined
Feb 20, 2017
Messages
1,800
Hey guys, just a bit of insight on what the BDF is doing in Kodiak. I’m one of the chairmen for the volunteer chapter which started as the MDF Team Blacktail two years ago. The first week of the new year we have quite a bit going on.

We’re working with ADFG on trapping and collaring thirty blacktail with the use of a drone (which BDF purchased for ADFG with funds we’ve raised here locally from past events) to better understand trends and life cycles of the local herd and if/how the herd needs more support.

As far as the BDF goes our concern is over habitat and habitat management. There is absolutely zero desire to increase or decrease tags, or bring in out-of-state hunters.

Thanks for asking about it and brining up the BDF @JimmyRay

I’ll report back after the events of the new year are over.

Is there anyone in SE? Our neighboring little island had a good population until wolves got out of control. They have just about run their cycle over there. It would be great to get some deer going there again. Maybe BDF could help advocate for a transplant operation.
 
Joined
Aug 30, 2021
Messages
33
What are the plans for CA, OR, and WA? Where most blacktail hunters live? What is the process after becoming a member? You get a mem#? Magazine? Email news letter? There is not enough information on what being a member means. Not even after becoming a member have I gotten a welcome email or anything really??

BDF plans on opening up more chapters down the west coast, a few have been started already. After you become a member I’d reach out to BDF directly to see about getting involved with some opportunities. The opportunities to contribute will take time as most of this involves working with government entities which is a slow process. The events we’re doing here in Kodiak next week have been over two years in the making.

I’ll bring up the email and lack of information to some of the guys in charge who are coming up next week.
 
Joined
Aug 30, 2021
Messages
33
Is there anyone in SE? Our neighboring little island had a good population until wolves got out of control. They have just about run their cycle over there. It would be great to get some deer going there again. Maybe BDF could help advocate for a transplant operation.
There is a chapter in the SE in Craig I believe. Jim Bachitel is essentially the man in charge of the SE and getting those chapters up and running but I know all the chapters need help and volunteers. Reach out to the BDF and I’m sure the can get you an answer or a way to help.
 

gbflyer

WKR
Joined
Feb 20, 2017
Messages
1,800
There is a chapter in the SE in Craig I believe. Jim Bachitel is essentially the man in charge of the SE and getting those chapters up and running but I know all the chapters need help and volunteers. Reach out to the BDF and I’m sure the can get you an answer or a way to help.

Thanks. Jim is solid gold.


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Grundy53

WKR
Joined
Nov 24, 2013
Messages
1,094
Location
Washington State
Has anyone else joined up yet, seems like this has been a long time coming. I am always blown away at the lack of attention to this species. I have hunted for a few big games species in a few diff states at this point... I am convinced that there is no harder species to chase than Columbian Black Tail.
I joined up as soon as I saw Robby's post about it. I love hunting blacktail.

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Joined
Aug 25, 2021
Messages
31
Has anyone else joined up yet, seems like this has been a long time coming. I am always blown away at the lack of attention to this species. I have hunted for a few big games species in a few diff states at this point... I am convinced that there is no harder species to chase than Columbian Black Tail.

I have a slightly different perspective on the MDF/BDF split.

The reality is that elk and Mule deer are icons of the west. A 380” elk or a 190” mule deer are things that garner a lot of attention. No one talks about a 135” black tail. Most people don’t even know what it means. I believe it’s hard for the MDF to justify spending member raised dollars on black tail conservation work when no one joined to conserve blacktails in the first place.

I am a black tail man on the west side of WA and I think it’s great that there is an organization for these deer. Habitat is the number one thing impacting our deer herds here. My concern is that the BDF will struggle for visibility and membership without being elevated the flashy deer east of the cascade crest and ultimately fold.
 
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