Bruce Gray of Brookhaven expressed the goalof the newly formed Southwest Mississippi branch of the QualityDeer Management Association: to educate and recruit newhunters.

    Gray, president of the Southwest Mississippi branch, and about 30other members of the new branch, held a board meeting Tuesday nightat Western Sizzlin’ to discuss the best ways to create awareness ofthe new group and to raise money for the organization.

    “This is the first thing of its kind in Southwest Mississippi,”Gray said. “I hope this meeting tonight will really get the ballrolling. That’s my plan.”

    The branch was chartered by the national organization in March, andGray took up the helm as president to organize the members and headmeetings. Last night was the third meeting.

    The Southwest Mississippi QDMA will host a banquet Sept. 13 at theLincoln Civic Center to raise funds.

    Of the funds raised, 50 percent will go to REACH programs to helpcarry part of the group’s mission statement. REACH is an acronymfor research, educate, advocate, certify and hunt.

    “REACH programs are a way to reach the youth and new hunters ingeneral,” Gray said. “We want to be able to reach young people, andhave them enjoy what I enjoy: a love and respect for theoutdoors.”

    Chris McDonald, a biologist and Youth Outreach coordinator for theMississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, spoke atlast night’s meeting as the guest speaker.

    “Hopefully as a group, we can recruit more hunters who can come outto enjoy the woods with us,” McDonald said.

    Gray, a QDMA member for four years, explained that hunting is aboutpassing on the tradition to the next generation.

    “We decided this was a good fit for Southwest Mississippi,” Graysaid. “It’s a great way for us to give back to the community andimprove deer herds in the state.”

    For more information about the Southwest Mississippi QDMA branch,contact Gray at 601-754-5592.