MDHA 30th Anniversary Celebration Video - A glimpse of the past accomplishments, allegiance and camaraderie of MDHA.
The winter of 1968 – 1969 was a brutal winter in northern Minnesota which prompted a group, which subsequently named itself Save Minnesota Deer, to seek the attention and assistance of the legislature to save the starving deer in Minnesota. Eleven years later, with this groups success, members made a decision to increase their purpose and to create an organization to span the entire state of Minnesota. On June 30, 1980 one such organization evolved - Minnesota Deer Hunters Association (MDHA) – created by hunters, for hunters.
Over the last 30 years MDHA has improved upon and developed its mission of “working for tomorrow’s wildlife and hunters today.” With 67 chapters and nearly 20,000 members throughout the state, MDHA works in Minnesota for Minnesota through four main tenants which include hunting, habitat, education and legislation.
One of MDHA’s founders, Ed Schmidt, says, “MDHA has always looked at the hunting community in Minnesota to be its foundation to meet the mission of ‘Providing a quality deer herd and quality hunting’.” MDHA feels that the traditions of hunting are a very important part of its purpose. The camaraderie of fellow-hunters is what draws us together in the love of the sport and the desire to assure it is available for future generations.
Habitat was one of the primary initiatives for the formation of the Minnesota Deer Hunter's Association. It was the brutal winter of 1968-1969 in northern Minnesota that prompted a group that subsequently named itself Save Minnesota Deer (SMD) to seek the attention and assistance of the legislature for the starving deer in Minnesota. Eleven years later, members of the SMD group decided to start an organization that would span the entire state of Minnesota to support whitetail deer as their primary purpose. The Minnesota Deer Hunter’s Association is that organization.
MDHA continues its commitment to habitat through programs such as Hides for Habitat and the Food Plot Program. As of the end of the 2006 hunting season, MDHA had contributed nearly $3.5 million for improving public hunting acres, purchasing public hunting land and the distribution of free food plot seed corn.
The Minnesota Deer Hunter's Association believes that educating hunters is key to perpetuating Minnesota’s outdoor heritage and that the best tool of wildlife and ecosystem education is instilling a greater appreciation for our natural resources in our children. They are our future and one of our greatest resources.
MDHA focuses a great portion of its Education tenant toward our state’s youth through Forkhorn Camps, Large Mammal Curriculum for the schools, the National Archery in the Schools Program and the Youth Art Contest. As explained by MDHA’s Executive Director, Mark Johnson, “As more of the population grows up in an urban setting, generations of kids are losing touch with the great outdoors. Connecting them with wildlife and hunting, even if they don’t hunt themselves, is critical to their understanding of how and why we manage our natural resources.”
MDHA is a voice in the face of the constant challenges that impair the quality, and, at the times, the existence of hunting sports. We strive to represent our members and their hunting interests in the state legislature as well as within the state’s congressional delegation. MDHA works closely with state legislators and agencies to ensure the future of deer hunting. We take positions on specific legislation and encourage passage of laws that benefit deer and deer hunting.
Group Activities
MDHA produces public policy positions regarding wildlife and hunting
MDHA promotes good sportsmanship, hunting ethics and safe hunting practices
MDHA Promotes and maintains high quality deer habitat
MDHA provides opportunities for deer hunters to meet, share experiences and develop a fraternal spirit
MDHA educates hunters and the public on the value of the sport of deer hunting
MDHA supports the enforcement of regulations which curtail the illegal taking of deer
MDHA supports efforts to increase opportunities for deer hunting on both private and public lands
